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HTML How To Get The Best Rates On Your Current Credit Cards How To Get The Best Rates On Your Current Credit Cards Author: Michael KnowlesHow To Get The Best Rates On Your Current Credit Cards Michael Knowles So you've got a few credit cards, and you're quite happy with them overall. Still, wouldn't it be nice to save a little money on interest? It all adds up over time, and more quickly than you'd think. If you're a good customer, you'd be surprised how easy it is to get a better rate. Pay on Time, But Not Everything The most desirable customers for the credit card companies are the ones who make a payment on time every month – but don't pay off the whole balance. After all, running no balance every month means that you pay no interest, and the company makes no profit. If you keep up the pattern of running a relatively small balance each month, then the companies will start falling over themselves to offer you better interest rates. Threaten to Go to Their Competitors Have you ever noticed that it seems like every company offers a credit card? That makes the credit card industry extremely competitive. Collect ads and offers for better rates than your company has given you, and then phone them up and tell them all about it. A good rouse is to start the conversation like this: "Them: Hello, what can I do for you today? You: Oh hi, I was just calling to ask if there's anything that you need to do to transfer my balance to this new card I'm getting? Them: Well… may I ask what card that is? You: Oh, I got the offer in the mail this morning. [Tell them all about the great interest rate and everything. You could even make things up – they won't know]. Them: And you've accepted that offer? You: I'm just about to, yes. Them: Well, hang on… we might be able to offer you a better rate on the card you've got…" The trick is in getting the company to think you're just another fool who responds blindly to advertising, and they're in danger of losing you as a customer. Don't whine about how you're such a good customer. They already know what kind of customer you are, but they definitely want you to stay their customer. A fun alternative is to phone your current company, get an offer from them, and then phone around more and try to get them to beat it. Once it's beaten, call your company back and let them know. Drive a hard bargain, and be prepared to walk away (well, hang up). If you turn down their so-called 'best offer', hang up and wait half an hour, there's a good chance that you'll get a call offering you a better one! It isn't just on credit card companies that these tricks get results. It works because it costs a company so much to get a new customer (the 'cost of acquisition'), and so it's cheaper for them to offer you a better deal, just to keep you. Try it with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sometime. Copyright 2005 Michael Knowles www.freedomisyoursonline.com You may use this article on your website if you keep my copyright on it or you may link directly to my free reports page at http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com/freereports.html Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/http://michaelknowles.articlealley.com/how-to-get-the-best-rates-on-your-current-credit-cards-12164.html Occupation: Webmaster and Internet Marketer I run several websites with lots more in development. My favorite subjects are computers and internet marketing. I also have my own article directory website at http://www.postyourarticles.com. Come by and post your articles at my site for FREE http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com Text How To Get The Best Rates On Your Current Credit Cards Author: Michael Knowles How To Get The Best Rates On Your Current Credit Cards Michael Knowles So you've got a few credit cards, and you're quite happy with them overall. Still, wouldn't it be nice to save a little money on interest? It all adds up over time, and more quickly than you'd think. If you're a good customer, you'd be surprised how easy it is to get a better rate. Pay on Time, But Not Everything The most desirable customers for the credit card companies are the ones who make a payment on time every month – but don't pay off the whole balance. After all, running no balance every month means that you pay no interest, and the company makes no profit. If you keep up the pattern of running a relatively small balance each month, then the companies will start falling over themselves to offer you better interest rates. Threaten to Go to Their Competitors Have you ever noticed that it seems like every company offers a credit card? That makes the credit card industry extremely competitive. Collect ads and offers for better rates than your company has given you, and then phone them up and tell them all about it. A good rouse is to start the conversation like this: "Them: Hello, what can I do for you today? You: Oh hi, I was just calling to ask if there's anything that you need to do to transfer my balance to this new card I'm getting? Them: Well… may I ask what card that is? You: Oh, I got the offer in the mail this morning. [Tell them all about the great interest rate and everything. You could even make things up – they won't know]. Them: And you've accepted that offer? You: I'm just about to, yes. Them: Well, hang on… we might be able to offer you a better rate on the card you've got…" The trick is in getting the company to think you're just another fool who responds blindly to advertising, and they're in danger of losing you as a customer. Don't whine about how you're such a good customer. They already know what kind of customer you are, but they definitely want you to stay their customer. A fun alternative is to phone your current company, get an offer from them, and then phone around more and try to get them to beat it. Once it's beaten, call your company back and let them know. Drive a hard bargain, and be prepared to walk away (well, hang up). If you turn down their so-called 'best offer', hang up and wait half an hour, there's a good chance that you'll get a call offering you a better one! It isn't just on credit card companies that these tricks get results. It works because it costs a company so much to get a new customer (the 'cost of acquisition'), and so it's cheaper for them to offer you a better deal, just to keep you. Try it with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sometime. Copyright 2005 Michael Knowles www.freedomisyoursonline.com You may use this article on your website if you keep my copyright on it or you may link directly to my free reports page at http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com/freereports.html Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/http://michaelknowles.articlealley.com/how-to-get-the-best-rates-on-your-current-credit-cards-12164.html About the Author: I run several websites with lots more in development. My favorite subjects are computers and internet marketing. I also have my own article directory website at http://www.postyourarticles.com. Come by and post your articles at my site for FREE http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com Article Title: Article Keywords: return to article Author by Michael Knowles I run several websites with lots more in development. My favorite subjects are computers and internet marketing. I also have my own article directory website at http://www.postyourarticles.com. Come by and post your articles at my site for FREE URL: http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com ads similar articles Understanding Credit Card Terms And ConditionsUnderstanding Credit Card Terms And Conditions Michael Knowles When you're looking at a credit card offer, take a look at the small print. It seems like a maze, but it's vitally important. With the trend nowadays towards easier-to-read 'summary boxes......A School Loan Consolidation Primer"Hey Dad!", my son screamed from our front door, "I did it, I was accepted to Boston University.". My momentary exhilaration was overshadowed by the financial realities of college, especially private college. A quick calculation of my costs for 4 years o......What Should You Do if You Get Turned Down for a Credit Card?What Should You Do if You Get Turned Down for a Credit Card? Michael Knowles So you've gone through the long and terrible process of giving your details, only to find that you got turned down. This can feel a little insulting, like a rejection, especi......All About Car DonationsCopyright 2005 Dave Markel Car donations have become a great way to help charity. People simply offer their unwanted vehicle to a charity. The charity either has a lot where the car is sold or has an auction company take care of the sale. In the Uni......Home Loans - Online Services And Resources To Help YouCopyright 2005 Dean Shainin Interest rates on home loans are at the lowest they've been in many years. Now is a great time to take advantage of home loan financial services and resources available online. With a little education online you can get some...... Tags Financemoneymailcredit cardswhinecredit card companiesinterest rateinterest ratesfoolcredit card industry socialize ads
Text How To Get The Best Rates On Your Current Credit Cards Author: Michael Knowles How To Get The Best Rates On Your Current Credit Cards Michael Knowles So you've got a few credit cards, and you're quite happy with them overall. Still, wouldn't it be nice to save a little money on interest? It all adds up over time, and more quickly than you'd think. If you're a good customer, you'd be surprised how easy it is to get a better rate. Pay on Time, But Not Everything The most desirable customers for the credit card companies are the ones who make a payment on time every month – but don't pay off the whole balance. After all, running no balance every month means that you pay no interest, and the company makes no profit. If you keep up the pattern of running a relatively small balance each month, then the companies will start falling over themselves to offer you better interest rates. Threaten to Go to Their Competitors Have you ever noticed that it seems like every company offers a credit card? That makes the credit card industry extremely competitive. Collect ads and offers for better rates than your company has given you, and then phone them up and tell them all about it. A good rouse is to start the conversation like this: "Them: Hello, what can I do for you today? You: Oh hi, I was just calling to ask if there's anything that you need to do to transfer my balance to this new card I'm getting? Them: Well… may I ask what card that is? You: Oh, I got the offer in the mail this morning. [Tell them all about the great interest rate and everything. You could even make things up – they won't know]. Them: And you've accepted that offer? You: I'm just about to, yes. Them: Well, hang on… we might be able to offer you a better rate on the card you've got…" The trick is in getting the company to think you're just another fool who responds blindly to advertising, and they're in danger of losing you as a customer. Don't whine about how you're such a good customer. They already know what kind of customer you are, but they definitely want you to stay their customer. A fun alternative is to phone your current company, get an offer from them, and then phone around more and try to get them to beat it. Once it's beaten, call your company back and let them know. Drive a hard bargain, and be prepared to walk away (well, hang up). If you turn down their so-called 'best offer', hang up and wait half an hour, there's a good chance that you'll get a call offering you a better one! It isn't just on credit card companies that these tricks get results. It works because it costs a company so much to get a new customer (the 'cost of acquisition'), and so it's cheaper for them to offer you a better deal, just to keep you. Try it with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) sometime. Copyright 2005 Michael Knowles www.freedomisyoursonline.com You may use this article on your website if you keep my copyright on it or you may link directly to my free reports page at http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com/freereports.html Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/http://michaelknowles.articlealley.com/how-to-get-the-best-rates-on-your-current-credit-cards-12164.html About the Author: I run several websites with lots more in development. My favorite subjects are computers and internet marketing. I also have my own article directory website at http://www.postyourarticles.com. Come by and post your articles at my site for FREE http://www.freedomisyoursonline.com
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