Credit Repair Secrets: 5 Tips For Negotiating Better Terms

By Tiffani G Peterson

When it comes to credit repair secrets, the sky is the limit. Let's go over 5 tips on negotiating the best credit deals you can get.

Tip #1 Ask

The credit card industry is competitive. They know it too. You can switch from one company to another with a phone call. They want to keep you as a customer so they're willing to make all sorts of offers if you just call and ask. If you need a reason, tell them because you've been a good customer. If that's not true, tell them you need a better rate to help you financially which is true no matter where you are financially.

One friend of mine called to cancel her card because she'd maxed it out and wanted to avoid the temptation to use it again once she paid it down. To try persuade her to keep it open, the company offered to reduce the rate to zero and let her make payments that fit her budget better. That's to say that some credit card companies are ready to offer you a settlement kind of deal without even having to go through an of the standard collection procedures first.

Tip #2 Manage your balances well

If you leave room on your credit cards, you can always do a balance transfer to the card with the lowest rate. Also, if you keep your balances around 30%, credit card companies are happy to extend your credit limit every so often because they see you're using it and they're making money on the interest.

Tip #3 Get creditor to fight over you

Having a better deal somewhere else is a great way to get a better deal. As competitive as things are out there, creditors know it might not take much for you to go get that deal. You have much more leverage though if you already have that better deal in hand. Then they know you're ready to act and they better do something to keep you. If you've left space, you can go ahead and transfer your balances to the one with the best rate. Then go back to them and offer to transfer the balance back if they give you a better deal.

Tip #4 Maintain better credit

This one might sound obvious. The best customers get the best deals in any industry. One thing to consider though is if something happens and you have to miss payments. After making your secured loan payments, look at prioritizing your accounts based on how good a deal you're getting. Use that as leverage in the future. If they would have given you better terms, they could have been a higher priority. Ask for a better deal so they get paid first next time.

Tip #5 Know the true value

Most people only negotiate the interest rate. While that's usually the most important factor, you ought to look at any additional fees, any rewards for using the card, and how long the rate is good for, etc. A company that wants you to call in every month to give you the best rate won't be as attractive as a card that gives you a fixed low rate.

At the end of the day, the key to negotiating is to know where you are and where you want to be. Then get out there and keep asking until you get what you want. - 31377

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