A Better Deal?

A Better Deal? — Identify and compare the monthly rate, data allowance, contract length and cancellation terms in a renewal offer.

The renewal email lands

Your mobile provider emails you two weeks before your current plan ends. The renewal offer is £24 a month for 12 months, with 30 GB of data. After the first year, the rate becomes £29 a month. The email says you can cancel without a penalty before the renewal date, but it does not explain whether the price includes every fee. You have found a similar plan elsewhere for £19 a month. Before replying, compare the whole offer—not just the headline price—and decide what you want the provider to do.

Read the small print before you reply

The competing provider advertises £19 a month for 12 months and 25 GB of data. Its price is guaranteed for the full term, but roaming costs extra. Your current provider offers 30 GB, yet the monthly rate rises to £29 after the first year. The renewal email also says that cancelling before the renewal date avoids an early-exit charge. You need to find out whether the £24 rate includes all regular fees and whether the provider can improve it. A useful comparison names the price, data and length of each offer; it does not assume that the cheapest headline figure is automatically the best deal.

Notice the language of a careful request

A courteous, clear customer-service tone

In many English-language customer-service emails, a brief greeting, a clear reason for writing and a courteous request create a professional tone. You do not need to apologise for asking about a price. Instead of making a threat, you can state your alternative plainly and ask what the company can offer. Conventions vary by company and situation, so aim for clear, respectful wording rather than a formula.

Practise reading and phrasing the request

Build and repair a negotiation sentence

Write your counter-offer

Write to your current provider before your renewal date. You would prefer to stay if the price is right. Your current offer is £24 a month for 12 months with 30 GB; the competing plan is £19 a month for 12 months with 25 GB, and roaming costs extra. Ask whether the provider can offer a lower monthly rate and confirm whether all regular fees are included. Keep your email concise and polite.

Check your decision before you send

Before sending your email, check that you have compared the monthly rate, data allowance and contract length, and noticed any extra costs or later price changes. Then reread your request: is it specific, courteous and easy to answer? Finally, recall one useful phrase from the lesson without looking back—for example, a polite way to ask for a lower rate.

Materiał przygotowany z pomocą AI.