Has anyone negotiated for something you didn't deserve?

[pocketsled]

There is a big thread here about a Thinkpad T30 motherboard design error. Some posters were able to get a free repair even though it clearly states you have to be in warranty. (They were years out of warranty!). Doing so through persistance and being incredible in persuasion,

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I also heard of people who get CSR's to throw in a free game for a RROD Xbox 360 repair/replacement,

I am attempting to call Lenovo tomorrow about my laptop. What is the secret to customer support?


Do you have any memorable customer service calls?

 

[rpanic]

I call the cable company every 6 months to a year and tell them I want to cancel because I am switching to satellite. They always reduce my bill by 30 to 50% for up to a year.

 

[minendo]

Can you help me with my homework?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I can haz ipod?

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: rpanic
I call the cable company every 6 months to a year and tell them I want to cancel because I am switching to satellite. They always reduce my bill by 30 to 50% for up to a year.

I'm about to cancel my cable. I rarely watch it and pretty much the only 'cable' channels I watch are ESPN and Discovery HD. Not worth the mass amounts of incremental cash it costs to go from free OTA locals. Then again if they offer 50% off for a year...

 

[potato28]

Yup, and I love doing it. I still have a satellite box that I got for free because I threatened to cancel my service.

 

[kyzen]

Over the last couple of years I've gotten several thousand free frequent flier miles, discounted bills, free phones, free video games, free food, and dirt cheap hotel stays, all just by being persistent with customer support, and escalating my legit problems appropriately.

I'm not so sure I'd say I didn't deserve it all (though there are a few things I complained about for kicks, just to see what the company would provide me with), most of it I feel made up for the screwup the company I was dealing with made in the first place.

I'm a firm believer in getting what I pay for; and having my provider/retailer make up for it when they fall short.

 

[andy04]

Originally posted by: kyzen
Over the last couple of years I've gotten several thousand free frequent flier miles, discounted bills, free phones, free video games, free food, and dirt cheap hotel stays, all just by being persistent with customer support, and escalating my legit problems appropriately.

I'm not so sure I'd say I didn't deserve it all (though there are a few things I complained about for kicks, just to see what the company would provide me with), most of it I feel made up for the screwup the company I was dealing with made in the first place.

I'm a firm believer in getting what I pay for; and having my provider/retailer make up for it when they fall short.

I tried a lot but never suceeded

 

[BKLounger]

i've failed at trying to get something I was supposed to get from comcast. I signed up online, but then they came to install and the order was all screwed up, so i called them back saying listen i just want what i signed up for the price i agreed for. They told me no because their .com website is a 3rd party affiliate. I told them i was going to leave for RCN. They said fine we don't want you as a customer. I have spent 2 happy weeks as an RCN customer now. I wasn't even trying to weasel anything out of them. I just wanted what I signed up for.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

never have and never will

 

[darkxshade]

I almost talked Bush out of running for the presidency.

 

[cheezy321]

Originally posted by: kyzen
Over the last couple of years I've gotten several thousand free frequent flier miles, discounted bills, free phones, free video games, free food, and dirt cheap hotel stays, all just by being persistent with customer support, and escalating my legit problems appropriately.

I'm not so sure I'd say I didn't deserve it all (though there are a few things I complained about for kicks, just to see what the company would provide me with), most of it I feel made up for the screwup the company I was dealing with made in the first place.

I'm a firm believer in getting what I pay for; and having my provider/retailer make up for it when they fall short.

No, you are a firm believer in getting What you think you DESERVE.

You are the reason we all pay more money for things. They just appropriate the cost of free riders (you are definitely one) into the cost of people who actually pay for the things.

Free video games? Why the hell would you get a free video game besides incessantly whining to customer service like a 10 year old girl until they just want you off the phone?

 

[TallBill]

I got a dvr for free because dish network hosed me and I pointed it out. I started taking customer service reps id #'s which usually helps because they know that if they are a jerk you will call back with proof of who you have talked to.

 

[AmpedSilence]

I called Target CS because the $30 gift card that I was part of the sale was three weeks over due. Ended up getting another full camera for free rather than then $30 GC.

 

[JDub02]

I got hooked up with VS network for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

That's about it.

Negotiating requires leverage on both sides. Usually I have none. I have yet to find any company that cared if they lose my business.

 

[kyzen]

Originally posted by: cheezy321

Originally posted by: kyzen
Over the last couple of years I've gotten several thousand free frequent flier miles, discounted bills, free phones, free video games, free food, and dirt cheap hotel stays, all just by being persistent with customer support, and escalating my legit problems appropriately.

I'm not so sure I'd say I didn't deserve it all (though there are a few things I complained about for kicks, just to see what the company would provide me with), most of it I feel made up for the screwup the company I was dealing with made in the first place.

I'm a firm believer in getting what I pay for; and having my provider/retailer make up for it when they fall short.

No, you are a firm believer in getting What you think you DESERVE.

You are the reason we all pay more money for things. They just appropriate the cost of free riders (you are definitely one) into the cost of people who actually pay for the things.

Free video games? Why the hell would you get a free video game besides incessantly whining to customer service like a 10 year old girl until they just want you off the phone?

The free video game came when Circuit City charged me 4 times for one order, and had me spend several weeks sorting the issue out.