I hesitate to share a personal experience--but, what I learned may be helpful to someone else, so here goes.

Last night, my husband... (kidding the ROARING and Lovely Broker's Wife) 

Sometimes, I am not always "nice".

Recently a credit card company that I use primarily for business raised my rate 2% after selling to another company. I did not appreciate that one bit. So, I called them.

Me--"What's with this? You buy my account and increase my interest by 2 points? You're off to a great start. That stinks. I want my old rate back."

Them--Silence. CSR comes back on the line and says, "Okay, it will be back to your rate the next billing period."

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Awhile back I blogged about my experience with Gateway . I was on a roll talking with one of the Sales Managers. I convinced him of the power of REALTORS, and that many of us were bloggers. I invited him to Google me. A couple of minutes later he came back convinced (Just think if he had googled Broker Bryant, Rich Jacobsen, or any of the other more prolific bloggers...) We wheeled and dealed and I ended up with an acceptable price with all bells and whistles substantially lower than Gateway online was charging. As we know, price isn't the end of the road or the main factor in important decisions--after the sale service is hugely important. So, this was my deal with the Sales Manager at Gateway. I would blog the truth, good, bad, indifferent about Gateway from a user perspective.

First, had I not been a members of some large and powerful groups    The National Association of REALTORS, AND Active Bloggers (Active Rain + other blog spots) whose livelihood revolves around using a computer--I probably would not have gotten very far.

I originally tried the much smaller, easier to handle tablet. I was thinking that the way I use my tablet I probably should have got the heavier, wide screen. Billy traded me out. No restock charge, no shipping and he EVEN let me keep the smaller unit until the new unit arrived -without charging extra-. So, now I'm starting to trust Gateway, a little.

Month 4, I start having an issue which we narrowed down to a defective battery. So, I'm in online with tech support. The CSR says, "I think you need to buy a new battery." Me--"I don't think so. Look at my purchase date." A couple of minutes late she comes back and says, "My mistake. We will ship that right out." She did what she said she would do. I had the battery within a few days, no shipping charges. So, at this time Gateway still has an A for service. However, had I accepted that I had to order and pay for a new battery, I would have been upset and disappointed and they would probably be at C level service.

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Moral is: You are a good Real Estate Negotiator, remember to use it for yourself, too. As a consumer, you may have clout you haven't tapped into.

Occasionally, I have lost track of bill paying if I'm focusing on something else. I hate late fees. So, I'll ring up XYZ company.

First, I admit that they are right, and I am wrong. However, I have been a VERY good customer over the years.

Then I ask them, "Wouldn't you agree that I have been a very good customer over the years? Normally, I pay on time, I use several products from your line of business. I would appreciate a little grace "good will". Can you see what you can do? Usually late fees disappear (again, I am not chronic at this).

I even had an insurance company settle with me one time just by writing a letter and including "I'll run it by my attorney."

Sometimes as consumers we just need to stand tall and remember that everything is negotiable, not just Real Estate transactions.