Yahoo News Martin Lewis says it's 'perfect time' to see if you are being ripped off - 'millions are'
Martin Lewis is calling on people to make a simple check that could save them hundreds of pounds. The Money Saving Expert website founder says April is the "perfect time" to see if they are being "ripped off" over their mobile and broadband services.
In his newsletter he said: "Millions of homes have just had a kick in the teeth, as broadband & mobile providers increased bills by above inflation, typically 8%, even for those mid-contract, at the start of this month. Yet that does mean this is a great time to check if you're overpaying, as comparing now is a completely level playing field, giving a true comparison as you know there shouldn't be any price rises for a year.
"This isn't small potatoes. TSBear tweeted me about savings of £660/yr (in Jan): 'I managed to get my phone bill down from £52/mth to Sim-only for £9. Plus my fibre broadband from £32/mth to £20. Well happy'.
"And with 20m of you OUT OF CONTRACT and thus free to move, this is a no-brainer for many and only takes a few minutes."
Mobile: To check if you are one of the 14m out of contract and free to switch mobile users you can text 'INFO' for free to 85075. Occasionally it will be unable to answer so then, as a guide, if you haven't changed deal in the last two years, you're likely free to switch.
Broadband: If you are out of contract - there's no easy tool here to check but if you have had the same provider for a while you are likely to be -it's easy to "ditch, switch and save", says moneysavingexpert. The cheapest broadband deals aren't available direct but usually short-lived switching promos via comparison sites. You can use this moneysaving expert Broadband Comparison tool which also includes social tariffs for those on Universal Credit.
How to haggle
If you don't want to switch haggling to get a better price might be the answer. The best time to do this is when you are out of contract or just about to be. You want them to treat you as a new customer and the general rule is if you don't ask you don't get.
Moneysavingexpert says:
find the cheapest price elsewhere so you know what to ask for and also as they might ask you about it.
Call and be polite and charming. Explain you like their service but it is too expensive and you can get it cheaper elsewhere.
If the deal isn't satisfactory for you ask to be put through to disconnections - their operators have much better discount giving power
Don't panic if they call your bluff and say they'll disconnect you. Just tell them to hold on while you check with your partner /s someone else. You can then try another day if you want as some call handlers may have a target of how many customers they need to "save" every shift.
If they won't move on the deal you should seriously consider leaving. Martin says: "Why not ditch, switch and save? In fact, sometimes when people have cancelled, they get an email the next day offering them much better deals."
