How to Negotiate Lower Bills with Nigerian Service Providers

If you cannot beat them, you have to negotiate with them. Who? I mean your service providers. Paying bills these days has become more overwhelming, especially with the rising cost of electricity, water, telecommunications, internet, entertainment, etc. However, there is a possible way out if we negotiate lower bills with service providers. But how? In this article, we will explore how you can successfully negotiate lower bills for you and your household.

1. Understand your bills and charges.

The first step in negotiating lower bills is understanding the structure of your charges. This can include requesting a detailed breakdown of your bills and keeping a record of your past bills over several months.

For example, when reviewing your electricity bill, you may notice a sudden spike in your charges without a corresponding increase in your usage. This could be due to hidden charges or errors in the tariff calculation. Ubana, a customer in Lagos, for instance, was able to negotiate a 10% reduction on his monthly bill after identifying a consistent overcharge due to inaccurate meter readings.

2. Do your research

Before approaching any service provider for negotiation, do the grunt work to gather information on available plans, packages, and pricing from competitors. Doing this equips you with knowledge of the market rate and alternatives, giving you a stronger position for negotiations.

Additionally, mentioning that you’re considering switching to a competitor can serve as a good leverage point. Many companies will offer better deals to retain customers, especially if they know you’re informed about the alternatives. Moreso, these service providers are often reluctant to lose long-term customers, especially to competitors.

3. Highlight your payment history.

If you have a good payment history with no missed payments or overdue bills, use this as a good talking point during negotiations. Service providers value customers who pay their bills on time, and they may be more than willing to offer discounts or adjust your payment terms since you can demonstrate reliability. By pointing out your consistent payments, you can better strengthen your case and make it more likely that the provider will accommodate your request for a lower rate or extended payment period. On the flip side, now is a good time to start building a good track record to gain leverage in the future.

4. Inquire about loyalty discounts.

Nothing excites these companies more than having returning customers that is, customers who often use their platforms. Some Nigerian service providers are more open to offering discounts to long-time customers because they have a bit of confidence in your continued use of their services. Hence, they’ll like to do everything within their power to ensure it stays that way.

If you’ve been with a provider for several years, it is therefore worth asking about loyalty discounts or incentives for staying on. You can also use this as a bargaining chip-mention how long you’ve been a customer and ask for a rate adjustment or a better deal.

Also, bear in mind that these loyalty discounts are not always advertised, so it’s up to you to do the asking. While negotiating, ensure that you ask about any promotions for existing customers as these could provide temporary relief on your bills.

5. Negotiate for long-term savings.

When negotiating, it is wise to focus on long-term savings rather than immediate reductions. This is important because providers are more inclined to offer lower rates if you are willing to commit to a longer-term contract (annual or semi-annual payment plans) or prepay for a set number of months. However, while this requires a bit more commitment upfront, it can lead to significant savings over time.

6. Switch Providers

If negotiations with your current service providers prove unsuccessful, consider switching to another provider who offers better rates. Many companies offer incentives like discounted rates, free installation, or promotional packages to new customers. Your switching to another provider could save you a substantial amount over time, especially if your current service provider isn’t willing to adjust their pricing.

Conclusion

Remember that negotiating lower bills with Nigerian Service providers requires preparation, persistence, and strategy. Furthermore, the Lifestyle App is here for all your seamless bill payments once you’ve negotiated your bills down.

So, don’t wait for your next bill shock — start negotiating now! Until next time, it is high time you build an emergency fund if you don’t already have one. Adios✌