Martin Lewis urgent 'one word' advice for EE, Sky, Virgin, BT customers

Martin Lewis urgent 'one word' advice for EE, Sky, Virgin, BT customers Personal finance expert told BBC Podcast listeners 'you may get a much better deal' Martin Lewis has told people who have contracts with broadband suppliers like EE, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, Vodafone, and Plusnet to threaten to do one thing - disconnect. The personal finance expert was speaking on his BBC Podcast and warned users they could be stuck with deals which are much too expensive if they don’t haggle - and use the magic word. And he explaiend that it works for lots of suppliers including insurance and breakdown cover. Most people know not to accept the first offer they get - and even worse just let their deal run over. Consumers can end up paying double or even more for the same service, as the top-line prices are usually subject to big discounts when people sign on. In his advice for people dealing with call centres he said: “The message is don’t just accept your renewal - in the right industries you can often save a shedload. Do you want to know the secret to haggling with call centres? We’re talking breakdown cover, mobile phones, digital TV, insurance companies, and more. It’s a language. What really happens is when they say to us, okay, I’ll put you through to customer disconnections if you say, ‘I’m going to leave.’ “In reality, they’re putting you through to customer retentions. That’s the place where they have the people who have got the power and authority to keep you as a customer and give you the best deals and discounts. So, if you first go through to call center staff and you’re politely talking with them and they’re not giving you what you want, then again with a smile on your face because we must use charm to get the best deals, ask to be thought put through to disconnections and then you may get a much better deal.” Fans replied saying they’ve used the advice to good effect. One said: ”Virgin would not play last year, even disconnections, so i gave them a month’s notice. After around three weeks they phoned me and offered me a really good deal to stay. I really was prepared to leave, and the only thing I needed was the Internet but the deal was good enough for me to keep everything. Thanks @Martin Lewis for your advice.” Another replied: “We did exactly the same my husband left them ringing for like 4 days and then answered it and they gave it us half price for 18 months. So it does work.” Top companies to haggle with across all services according to Martin Lewis poll - AA - RAC - Virgin Media - Admiral Insurance - Hasting Direct Insurance - AA Insurance - TalkTalk - Sky Mobile - Sky TV - LV Other fans chipped in. Not everyone had success - but ended up switching: “Tried BT wouldn’t budge so moved to Plusnet much cheaper £140 maestro card same speeds more reliable.” Anoteher said: “I haggled with BT but they wouldn’t budge so I’ve swapped to virgin and now BT keep pestering me with offers - too late I’m afraid.” For people wanting to check if their phone contract is up Martin has said: “Mobile contracts typically rise even if you’re mid-contract around £2.50 a month. Here’s what you do - three steps. Text INFO for free to 85075 to check if you’re free to switch because 14 million of you are out of contract and free to switch. “What you’re looking for is you’ll get a text back in most cases. From a multiple phone contract, you can’t do it. And if it says ‘no early termination or cancellation charge’ you are free to switch. If you’re free to switch go on to a SIM comparison site.” To listen to the full podcast click here. [Image text:] 4.500 4.000 3,500 3,000 2.500 2.000