How To Lower Your Cell Phone Bill And Get More Perks

How much do you pay for your cell phone bill each month? $45? $60? $90? $110? Why?

I pay just $35 after taxes for

• 500 anytime minutes
• Free Text messaging
• Free Internet
• Free Mobile to Mobile
• Free Nights starting at 6PM and free Weekends
• First incoming minute free
• Free picture mail
• and more..

I started with a plan I found at www.sprint.com/sero. This is a plan meant for friends and family of Sprint employee's but it is open to the public with a sprint employee e-mail address. This is not about the Sprint SERO plan and if you are interested in this plan I suggest going to www.Sprintusers.com to find out the tips and tricks to getting in on this deal.

Additions to My Phone Plan

My plan include most that is listed above but the Free Text Messaging, First Incoming Minute Free, NIghts and Weekends Starting at 6PM were all added after I signed up.

How did I do it? Well I was thinking I could write a 50 page E-book and charge you $40 for it but that may have defeated the purpose of trying to help others SAVE money so I will lay it out here for free..

OK your listening right because this is the holy grail of freebies. This is the top secret method that will get you the best chance for anything you have ever hoped for.

Ready?

Sure your Ready?

Whew I've been waiting to get that one of my chest for awhile.. Sheesh.. I've never been good with secrets..

Ditching my lame attempts at humor and getting back to the important stuff...

Not everyone is going to give you everything you want, but... You will have no better chance then by simply asking the powers that be to help you out. Now, how to apply this to your phone bill.

What is it about your phone that you wish you didn't have to pay so much for, what do you wish you didn't pay anything for? What is it that you wish you could get added to your plan that you don't already have.

These are the 3 questions to ask yourself. This way when you get started you will have a good idea of what cell phone perks mean the most to you. Before asking, first check at your phone companies website and make sure this option is available for a price. If it's available at a price, there has to be a way to get it for cheap or free.

Now that you know what you want call up your cell phone company. In your most friendliest, kindest, sweetest voice. The voice you call your grandma with prepare to make your first attempt. Ask them first a question unrelated to the perk. "Can I pay my bill online", or "where can I find a dealer near me." Then after they have answered, very nicely ask

^{"hey you know, I love having text messaging on my phone, but the costs really adds up, you guys don't have any way of giving me a discount on this do you"}

or

^{"gosh my bill seems so high lately, I've been a customer for awhile, is there any discounts I qualify for?"}

or

^{"I sure get a lot of spam calls from solicitors, do you guys a first incoming minute free feature you could added to my plan without charge?"}

Trust me, these do not work everytime, but they do work.

If you are out of contract or are planning to renew your contract DO NOT do so without first calling your phone companies retentions department. This is the only department you want to speak to

The retentions department is for people who are thinking about canceling their plan, or are out of a plan and considering switching carriers. Your phone company LOVES your money and they want you to stay with them. They have the power to very easily give you the best perks and benefits.

Call them up and in your "I only use this tone for grandma" voice let them know that you've enjoyed them as your cell phone company but "________" phone company has this great offer and you've heard better service.

Then pause and say "You know, I really like the way "your phone companies name" has been there for me, and I am considering staying but the other companies plan and features are very tempting."

At this point you will know from the person on the other ends response whether they are going to be able to help you out or not. Let them offer you something. As if there is something they can offer.

If it is what you want. don't stop there..

^{"Thank You, that is very generous of you guys, I knew I like this company. Hey (in a joking tone) you wouldn't be able to add FREE *other perk you want* also would you, cause I'll agree to the contract right now if I could get that."}

If the offer is OK but your not excited about it, thank the sales rep and tell them you will think about it. Then wait a few hours or a few days and call back. Call centers for phone companies are located all over the country. The likelihood of getting the same service rep is slim to null. So.. Try again and start from script 1.

If your offered a better plan great, go for it.. But you could also say

^{"you know when I was first considering this I called and spoke with *CSR name* and they mentioned they could add FREE *Your offered Perk* . Is there anyway I could have both of these?"}

Try, try again until you get the plan you want.

LOYALTY DISCOUNTS

if you are in this situation of being out of contract or renewing your contract most likely this is because you have been with the company for some time. Whether it is a year of 5 years. ASK FOR A LOYALTY DISCOUNT. This could be your best perk. Some companys offer 10%, 15%, or more off the total phone bill.

I bought my phone and signed up with Sprint in June. These last two weeks my battery is going dead after being off the charge just 9 to 10 hours. I think it has to do with the magnetic key pad at my office and me keeping my magnetic work key card in my pocket with my phone. I hold the pocket up to the pad and viola the door opens and I think I've ruined my phone.

I could be wrong, but it doesn't matter anyways. I went to a Sprint Store two nights ago, told the service rep at the desk that I just bought my phone 6 months ago and I'm having trouble with the battery, could he help me? I knew that I did not have a warranty and that he did not have to do anything for me for free but I was there to try.

He looked at it, pulled the battery out and disappeared into the back. Moments later he comes out with a identical battery in a plastic wrap, switches them out and says "come back if this doesn't work". Whew that simple and saved me the costs of a new battery.

Good Deal. I did what I always do when someone helps me. I ask their name right before I leave, then say "Thank you *name* I truly appreciate your help. You've made my day! "