Martin Lewis has issued urgent advice for customers of broadband suppliers such as EE, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, Vodafone, and Plusnet: threaten to disconnect. The personal finance expert, speaking on his BBC Podcast, warned that failing to haggle could leave consumers stuck with overpriced deals. He emphasized that using the magic word 'disconnections' can unlock significant savings.
Why Haggling Matters
Most people know not to accept the first offer, but many let their deals roll over, leading to costs that can double or more. Lewis explained that top-line prices often include discounts for new customers, so renewing without negotiation is costly.
The Secret to Haggling
Lewis shared his strategy: "The message is don't just accept your renewal. In the right industries, you can often save a shedload." He advised asking to be put through to 'disconnections' when call centre staff cannot offer a better deal. "They're putting you through to customer retentions, where they have the power to give you the best deals." He stressed using charm and a smile to maximize success.
Success Stories from Fans
Fans reported positive outcomes. One said: "Virgin would not play last year, even disconnections, so I gave them a month's notice. After three weeks, they phoned and offered a great deal." Another added: "We did exactly the same... they gave it us half price for 18 months."
Top Companies to Haggle With
According to a Martin Lewis poll, the best companies for haggling include:
- AA
- RAC
- Virgin Media
- Admiral Insurance
- Hastings Direct
- AA Insurance
- TalkTalk
- Sky Mobile
- Sky TV
- LV
Not Always Successful
Some had to switch. One fan said: "Tried BT, wouldn't budge, so moved to Plusnet." Another shared: "I haggled with BT but they wouldn't budge, so I swapped to Virgin. Now BT keeps pestering me with offers."
Check Your Mobile Contract
For mobile contracts, Lewis advised texting INFO to 85075 to check if you're free to switch. He noted that 14 million people are out of contract and could save by moving to a SIM-only deal.
