Most people assume haggling with big companies is a losing battle. But Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, says not only is it worth trying, in certain sectors the odds are firmly in your favour.
In a clip on TikTok from his BBC podcast, he revealed that in four specific sectors more than half of people who attempt to haggle walk away with a better deal. The key, he says, is knowing exactly who to speak to and what to say when you call.
The four sectors where haggling works
Martin was clear about where the effort is most likely to pay off. The four sectors where his polls show over 50% of people who try to haggle succeed are broadband and digital TV, car and home insurance, mobile phones and breakdown cover.
"Haggling is always about politeness and charm and trying to win them to your side," he said. "It's never about aggression."
The key trick: ask to cancel
But the most important tip he shared goes beyond simply asking for a better deal. When calling, Martin explained that asking to cancel changes everything.
"While they may say they're putting you through to the disconnections department, internally that will be known as customer retentions," he said. "Because those people have a job to try and keep your custom. They will have much more deals, discretionary authority to give you much bigger savings."
For anyone worried about actually being cut off, Martin had a reassuring answer. "If they say we'll cut you off now, we'll cancel now, you just say I need to first check with my husband, my wife, my boyfriend, my girlfriend, my pet pigeon before I do it," he said. "I'll get back in touch with you."
And for those who genuinely cannot get the deal they want, Martin's advice was straightforward. "If they're not giving you the deal that you want and you can find it cheaper elsewhere, you may as well ditch and switch," he said.
Timing and technique matter
Timing matters as much as technique. Martin noted that haggling is most effective when a contract is ending or has already ended, as that is when providers are most motivated to keep your business. Calling outside of peak hours, being polite throughout and going in with a competing quote to reference can all strengthen the conversation considerably.
A spokesperson for financial assistance experts Vettory said: "Haggling can feel uncomfortable, but as Martin points out it is really just a polite conversation at the right time with the right person. Bills like broadband, insurance and mobile contracts all add up, so getting a better deal on even one of them can make a real difference to monthly expenses. And if a current provider is not willing to offer a better price, switching to one that does is always worth considering."
