I just got off the phone with the cable company, which had sent us a letter saying they were increasing our rate by $25 a month. By the end of the phone call, they agreed to reduce our rate by $5 a month instead.
I wonder if the negotiating skills I picked up in law school will eventually be enough to offset my monthly loan payments.
I have a few phone calls I'd like you to make for me.
ReplyDeletethis is so hilarious- nice job! I wish I had some good negotiation skills but I still have alot to learn!
ReplyDeleteI never end up any better off after a call with the cable company. I consider it a victory if my bill is about the same as when I called.
ReplyDeleteYay you!
Based on this post, I brazenly argued with a lawyer from New Jersey about whether negotiation is taught in law school. She insisted it is not, unless you took it as an elective. She said negotiating skills are acquired through on-the-job training. So, CM, in your example, which deserves merit for your $30/month windfall: law school or law practice? Were you really schooled in the art of negotiation at HLS? Or is the lawyer from New Jersey right?
ReplyDeleteGudnuff, will reply more by email at some point but: many law schools don't explicitly teach negotiation and I don't know of any law school where it's required. Some people say it can't be taught. They're wrong. HLS happens to have a fantastic Program on Negotiation, founded by Roger Fisher, author of Getting to Yes, and I was heavily involved in negotiation and mediation while at HLS. Learning and practicing those dispute resolution skills was transformative for me. You don't have to go to law school to learn them though -- as you know! I've been meaning to comment on your awesome Girl Scout post. In fact, I'll go do that right now.
ReplyDeleteI called my ISP last November and I thought I ended up reducing my bill by 75%. Seeing as they haven't billed me since then, seems I got an even better deal! :-0 At least until they notice, anyway.
ReplyDelete