How to Successfully Argue a Bill
There’s nothing like getting over-billed. Don’t get taken advantage of; instead, fight back…politely. Follow Modern Manners Guy’s 3 tips to successfully argue a bill.
Richie Frieman
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How to Successfully Argue a Bill
I hate bills. I realize that the only reason I am ever billed for something is because I purchased a product or service, but still…I hate bills! Still, it’s a part of life and we all have to be responsible and pay our bills on time (I’m sure Money Girl can attest to this). And most of the time the person or business billing me is correct…notice I said “most” because sometimes they are wrong. Incredibly wrong. Like if being wrong was a country, my cable company would be the all mighty ruling dictator. I’m the first one to admit when I’m wrong, and so I expect others – especially companies I purchase things from – to do the same..
So before you whip out your wallet to pay that mysterious “service fee,” check out my top 3 Quick and Dirty Tips for how to properly argue a bill:
Tip #1: Stand Your Ground
My fellow Quick and Dirty Tips experts and I have talked about bullying a lot. Whether in the office, with friends and family, or even out in public, bullies are all over the place. As well, bullies are not always people, they can also be establishments or companies that put you into a situation where you feel that you have to accept something as is, rather than fighting back. We’ve all had to deal with someone who knows they are wrong but fails to face the facts and instead, argues in the hopes of bullying you to give in. It’s always a tiring routine but that shouldn’t make you back down, simply because someone else doesn’t want to face facts. I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me – be it dealing with a friend, coworker or, yes, even a bill. When you know you’re right, stand up for it.
Here’s an example: A while back I was at the grocery store buying an item that was clearly marked $5. When I was rung up, the cashier charged me $7.50. Now, I know that $2.50 is not a life-changing amount, but I don’t like to be taken advantage of so I politely told her, “I believe that’s actually $5, not $7.50.” She looked at the item, then looked at me like I was from Mars, and replied, “I think you made a mistake.” Wait a second…I made a mistake? I the consumer who picked up a product clearly marked with a $5 price tag? Could it be (and maybe this is a long shot) that you are, in fact, wrong? The cashier and I went back and forth for a while – I calmly explained why the item was the price I indicated and she held firm in her belief – until finally a manager was brought over. After a smile and a handshake, the standoff ended with the cashier admitting her error. Gotta love that feeling.
In this situation, I was not trying to pick a fight. And despite my tenure as a professional wrestler, I hate fighting! On any level. However, I had to stand my ground. I was not going to pay more for something than it really cost. Yes, it’s only $2.50 but if you start going down the road of allowing those little fees get by you, that $2.50 will turn into $10, $20, or even $150.
When you have to argue a bill or fee, make sure you have the facts and stay firm. Don’t lose your temper, don’t get anxious, don’t justify yourself, just stay calm. Keeping calm is not only proper, but it also drives people who can’t remain calm, absolutely insane! Trust me, you’d be surprised how fast someone crumbles when they know they are wrong, and resort to shouting to prove it, while the other person who is correct, simply smiles and states the facts.
Keep calm and carry on, as my friends on the other side of the pond like to say.
Tip #2: It’s All About the Facts
As I mentioned in Tip #1, ignoring the little fees can become a habit and lead to ignoring big fees. Such was the case when my cable company (who I can’t name, but truly think is run by Satan) overcharged me by $170. Not $1.70 or $17, but by $170 big ones. That’s a rather large wrongful fee, correct?
After opening my bill and seeing this fee, I made sure I had all my facts and hopped on the phone to take care of the situation. After I told the gentleman – aka Satan’s elf – that I was wrongfully billed he said he’d look into it. Five minutes, and two terrible 1980s songs later, he returned with the following explanation: “Hmm…how did that happen?” He was totally dumbfounded and took care of it right away, but I wasn’t content. I asked him, “Why was this fee added?” He replied, “I don’t know. Sometimes that happens.”
Really?!?! Are you serious? So every now and then, they wrongfully bill people for hundreds of dollars? If this company didn’t have a monopoly in my area, I’d fight harder. But unfortunately, right now it’s the only option. But that’s a topic for another episode.
When you have the facts about a wrong bill, that’s all the evidence you need. If there is any question, or doubt, like a situation in which it’s your word against theirs, that’s when it gets hairy. Unfortunately, having all the facts isn’t always possible. Say one store clerk tells you a price and when you go to pay, it’s a totally different price. In this case, you don’t have much to stand on and must simply decide how badly you want the product.
So, before you argue a point, gather all the resources and make sure you have the support you need for when that obnoxious phone operator tries to swindle you out of a few bucks.
Tip #3: Don’t Make a Scene
Getting back to my grocery store situation from Tip #1, you may recall that the cashier was getting irate, while I remained calm. I was very aware that I was in a public setting and not in my basement arguing with some buddies over a bad call by a ref during a football game. Flipping out in public over an incorrect bill can – and will – get nasty pretty quick. I’ve seen it happen many times and it makes both sides look ridiculous. Plus, I know a lot of people at my grocery store and the last thing I want is some goofball with a wicked sense of humor snapping a picture of me losing my temper and posting it on Facebook with the caption, “Check out Modern Manners Guy ranting over the wrong price of peanut butter!” Public embarrassment aside, if you make a scene, it devalues your argument and makes you look, well, like a lunatic.
Look at it this way, if I was a manager of a store or restaurant and I saw two people arguing and one was sitting and speaking quietly while the other was bouncing off the walls, which would I want to avoid? Probably the wacko waving his hands in the air and pacing like a madman. If you make a scene during a dispute over a bill, it makes your evidence look questionable. As well, it’s incredibly rude to everyone around you. There may be kids around and you don’t want them to pick up your “colorful” language, do you?
Do you have a great story about someone losing it in public over an incorrect charge? Post all the details in the comment section below or on the Modern Manners Guy Facebook page.
As always, if you have another manners question, I look forward to hearing from you at manners@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. Follow me on Twitter @MannersQDT, and of course, check back next week for more Modern Manners Guy tips for a more polite life.
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