Is it possible to negotiate with Cell Phone carriers?

Question

Is it possible to negotiate deals with cell phone carriers (Verizon, Sprint, etc.) . For instance 7 p.m. nights instead of 9 p.m., free activation, free chargers and so on.

Answer 1

Oh yes it is! But there are limits, of course. Getting your nights to start at 7:00 is probably not going to happen because it's a company-wide policy. But for the best results, go to a local office. Haggling over the phone or using email is much harder to do.

Free activation, though, should be an absolute gimme. If you choose Cingular, for example, tell them that T-Mobile and Verizon will both waive the activation for you and that you would like them to match it. I have never paid for activation, it doesn't even make sense.

For a free charger, try seeing if they'll throw it in if you pay with cash. If not, ask them why you shouldn't just buy the phone/plan online. The desire for a commission will usually prevail over there desire to make $15 bucks on the charger.

Overall, you get what you negotiate. Be friendly but assertive. And remember, you can walk out and still get a phone/plan. But if you walk out, they get nothing.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I'm sure you can haggle for the activation, but it's probably waived for a contract. Times for night time calls won't change unless the carrier changes it. You should get a charger in the box with the phone when you purchase it. If you work with a sales person they will try to work with you as long as you don't want to much dropped. You must be willing to give a little. Try to get a headset other then what is in the phone box. They don't make regular package deals but give it a shot. They want and need to make sales on accessories and add ons to your plan like voicemail, texting, internet. Good luck.