Overdue bills, they are going turn my phone off!

In this piece I am going to discuss negotiating your overdue phone bill. Some of this information is transferable to other bills like cable - and works better if there is competition in your area for the service. Unfortunately - power bills and other monopoly utilities are a little more difficult as they know you have no where else to go for the service. MAKE POWER PUBLIC!

First thing! and this goes for all overdue bills - do not agree to any arrangements you cannot keep- If you agree to an arrangement and do not keep it it is much harder to make another arrangement. The goal of any collection department is to get the maximum amount from you - up to the full bill and they will be ruthless - be honest about the resources/income you have make sure you tell them your required expenses each month (they don't really want to hear it but tell them anyway so it is on record) tell them you can verify this amount by sending in documentation - be proactive and suggest an amount and an arrangement you can maintain - understand that the first person you get on the phone has no power or very limited power to make payment arrangements. AGAIN and I cannot say this strong enough - DO NOT make arrangements you cannot keep!

So if you cannot get them to agree to an arrangement you can handle - ESCALATE! ask to speak to a manager - insist it is your right as a consumer and in most companies - especially phone companies there are a number of layers of managers - keep on going up the line until you get the results you want.

Things that will improve your ability to resolve the issue - the amount of money you pay each month, bigger the account the more likely they are to work with you(however we all know that). Your payment history, if it has been good up to this point and this is an isolated issue they will take that into consideration. If you have a good reason and documentation to support it - like health related or lost your job-etc. Finally how persistent you are - I have seen people get consideration simply because they have persisted and have not given up.

Its worth a try - and remember be positive,respectful and persistent - I have found that most front line call reps get abused quite often by the people they call about overdue bills and it can take them completely off guard when you are nice to them and that just may be the thing you need to get them on your side and get the arrangement you need.