Got the renewal for my xbox live through a couple of days back, and thought i'd spend a moment at lunch sorting it out. Theres a couple of options to pay Microsoft for something Sony give you for free, the first is 12 month cards from most retailers, Tesco, Play.com, Amazon all want about £35. The second options if direct from MS and cut out the middle-man and for only £5 more.... go figure. Anyway being the lazy sod i am i had subscribed direct, paying the extra because I was to bone idle to order from play.com and then wait for the card to arrive, however with they way money is at the moment prudence overcame lazynes...
First job, cancel the the auto year on year renewal, which you cant do online, there should be some sort of law that says if you can subscribe to something online, you should be able to cancel it online (i.e. avoid the sales pitch and them trying to stop you doing what you intended). So I phoned MS got through to an Irish chap with minimal hold music and explained what I wanted, he starts clicking away and then says "Can I ask why?" at first i thought I'd give him the "Its free from Sony" but I stuck with the honest reply "Its cheaper to buy it from play.com" ... "oh right" he says, "would you be interested in getting it from us if i could beat plays price?" and that apparently is how it is, just like Car Insurance, AA Cover and Sky subscriptions Microsft and Xbox live are up for a bit of "Negotiation".
"Youve been with us a while and you build up a loyalty bonus" he continued "Which means you're entitled to 40% discount, so thats £23.98, do you want to stay on at that price?" and so I did.
Its worth remembering in these days of non tangible goods... if they can get anything out of you at all its worth more to them than you buggering off to a competitor.
So anyone else renewing....0800 587 1102 give em a bell.
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