Billy Rose, the famous showman, asked in one of his essays: "Did you
His answer: "They ask them."
I find that this approach works just as well for people looking for a
I am amazed at what airlines, hotels, stores, and banks will do for you
For example, the desk clerk at a hotel recently told me his lowest rate
Figure that out.
An airline representative tells me, "Our lowest rate to Chicago is
I go to another airline and am offered $159.
On my way to the plane, I stop and tell the first agent the rate the
"Oh, we have that rate too," she replied. "It's just not the regular
Appliances and car purchases give the best (or worst) examples of this
Everyone hates the bargaining involved in buying a car. No matter how
I remember complaining about this in my column a few years ago, and an
"If Mr. Nadler had only been willing to pay the standard price posted on
I remember only once feeling good about the price I paid for an
"That price is so low," the salesman said, "we can't afford to accept
Does the same bargaining take place in banking? You bet!
In many lending transactions, bankers practice the philosophy that if
Customers routinely win disputes over fees imposed for overdrafts,
When consultants are brought in to improve profitability, they know that
The officer usually takes the attitude: "Why should I care? My
One solution is for the bank regularly to publish a list of the officers
Why does the bank allow this? Does leniency make it look good when
Rather, it makes the customer feel like a fool for accepting without a
I remember cashing a check at an out-of-town bank where I was giving a
His honest answer: "Someday we hope we'll know."
Well, this is someday. We can now determine costs far more accurately
When a bank lets borrowers renegotiate loan terms or waives fees, word