Speak Up and Save Money
I've learned that if you speak your mind, and stick to it, you save money.
During the presidential campaign I started to read the New York Times online each day because the news coverage as well as the columnists were superior to my local newspapers'.
Eventually, I canceled the local paper and subscribed to the New York Times seven days a week. It was more expensive, but I decided I was worth it. And the Sunday Times was a real treat. But recently I stopped reading the NYT with the same enthusiasm I had during the campaign and in early months of this administration. Also, I was going online more often to read obituaries, weather, and news in that local paper. More importantly, I missed having the local weekly TV guide.
So I broke down last week and reordered a seven-day subscription to the local paper for $4.75 a week. I changed the NYT to Sunday only for $7.50.
Then yesterday my Visa bill arrived, and showed a charge of $61. 75 for 13 weeks delivery of the local paper. I wouldn't have minded except a letter came from that paper the same day offering me a special "Limited-Time Pricing of $2.75 a week for 7-day delivery" as a new subscriber.
I called and said I wanted that price instead of $4.75. The customer service person said that offer was only for new subscribers. I said I subscribed only a week ago and would cancel my subscription and reorder as a new subscriber. I added that if she couldn't arrange that I wanted to talk with her supervisor. Immediately she said, "You can have the special offer price of $2.75 and I will credit your Visa account." In that moment the annual cost dropped from $247 annually to $143.
Flush with success, I called the NYT to cancel the $7.50 Sunday paper because I decided I don't really NEED two Sunday papers. When I explained that I really enjoy the paper but I don't really need it, the customer service person immediately said, "We can let you have the Sunday edition for half, or $3.75 a week." The drop here was from $390 annually to $195.
The total savings is $299 a year for one daily and two Sunday papers.
So don't accept the first offer. Open up your mouth and demand a better deal. You're the buyer.
During the presidential campaign I started to read the New York Times online each day because the news coverage as well as the columnists were superior to my local newspapers'.
Eventually, I canceled the local paper and subscribed to the New York Times seven days a week. It was more expensive, but I decided I was worth it. And the Sunday Times was a real treat. But recently I stopped reading the NYT with the same enthusiasm I had during the campaign and in early months of this administration. Also, I was going online more often to read obituaries, weather, and news in that local paper. More importantly, I missed having the local weekly TV guide.
So I broke down last week and reordered a seven-day subscription to the local paper for $4.75 a week. I changed the NYT to Sunday only for $7.50.
Then yesterday my Visa bill arrived, and showed a charge of $61. 75 for 13 weeks delivery of the local paper. I wouldn't have minded except a letter came from that paper the same day offering me a special "Limited-Time Pricing of $2.75 a week for 7-day delivery" as a new subscriber.
I called and said I wanted that price instead of $4.75. The customer service person said that offer was only for new subscribers. I said I subscribed only a week ago and would cancel my subscription and reorder as a new subscriber. I added that if she couldn't arrange that I wanted to talk with her supervisor. Immediately she said, "You can have the special offer price of $2.75 and I will credit your Visa account." In that moment the annual cost dropped from $247 annually to $143.
Flush with success, I called the NYT to cancel the $7.50 Sunday paper because I decided I don't really NEED two Sunday papers. When I explained that I really enjoy the paper but I don't really need it, the customer service person immediately said, "We can let you have the Sunday edition for half, or $3.75 a week." The drop here was from $390 annually to $195.
The total savings is $299 a year for one daily and two Sunday papers.
So don't accept the first offer. Open up your mouth and demand a better deal. You're the buyer.
I didn't know I had a "voice" until I was widowed.As an actor, I had voices others wrote but my husband made the calls, policies, and I was a great listener. Until there was silence and slowly, the educated girl before marriage consumed her, learned to speak up. It took a while, required practise, mistakes were made but slowly I called and said,"No." Slowly then faster, I said,"Waive the late fee-change this to that." And the big thing to remember is, if you don't ask, you'll never know. So ask.
Thanks Sandy, for reaffirming what I learned the hard way.
Charmaine Gordon
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And you've wisely turned that voice into wonderful books that help us all. Readers will find "Once Again Now," "Starting Over" at Amazon.com and charmaingordon.com---and a new on one the way. Go, Charmaine!!!
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