Household Bills
Third of Brits haggle down bills as cost-of-living bites
More than half of Brits are already haggling or intend to start haggling as the cost-of-living crisis continues to weigh on finances.
A third of UK adults said they’re asking for discounts on their bills while a quarter said they will start to haggle to cut their costs.
Broadband and TV packages were the most popular bills to haggle on, followed by car insurance, mobile phones, home insurance and energy costs, according to the research by comparison site Go.Compare.
This could be a slight relief to bank balances, as broadband and mobile phone bills could rise by as much as 17% in April.
Older people more likely to ask for a discount
The poll of 2,000 people also revealed that men and women over the age of 55 are the most likely to negotiate a better deal.
Regionally, those living in the North East of England are most likely to haggle, while those living in the East Midlands less likely to request a better deal.
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Haggling aside, 69% said they had made changes to their outgoings as bills continued to soar.
Cutting back on energy was the most common way to save money (65%), while others said they had limited their takeaways, meals out and socialising.
More than a third (36%) of Brits have changed where they do their grocery shopping and 30% have decided not to go on holiday this year.
‘It’s not rude to want a better price for things’
Ceri McMillan, insurance director at Go.Compare, said: “Haggling may not come naturally to everyone, but if you can get past that initial feeling of awkwardness, it can be hugely rewarding – potentially saving you hundreds on your bills.
“Prices aren’t always fixed. In fact, some service providers – like broadband, TV and mobile services – expect you to negotiate with them, even if they don’t shout about it.
“The same goes for insurance policies. Whether pet, car, home, or life insurance – make sure you shop around. If your policy is due for renewal don’t simply accept the price you’re offered. You may be able to get the same (or more) coverage elsewhere for less.”
McMillan added that “it’s not rude to want a better price for things”. “Now more than ever, every penny counts,” she said.