QUICK HAGGLING TIPS...

✱ Benchmark the cheapest price elsewhere. It’s not accidental that I put switch savings first here – you need that as a starting point to haggle with.

✱ Call up – and be polite and charming. Aggression isn’t nice or productive. Use chutzpah, cheek and a smile. You’re asking for a discount, and your provider is as much within its rights not to give one as you are to leave.

✱ Explain that you’ve seen it cheaper elsewhere, or it doesn’t fit your budget or you think it’s too expensive, but you’d prefer to stay.

✱ If that doesn’t work, ask to be put through to disconnections. Internally that’s called ‘customer retentions’ and it has the real power to keep you.

✱ Don’t panic if your provider calls your bluff. If it says it’ll disconnect you, my easy ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card is the phrase: ‘Hold on, I’ll call you back on that. I’d like to check with my wife/husband/ dog/goldfish first.’

✱ And if it really won’t play ball, vote with your feet, and consider leaving. Sometimes providers can give in at this stage and offer a stonking discount in a last-ditch effort to keep you.

✱ Martin Lewis is the Founder and Chair of Moneysavingexpert.com. To join the 7.5 million people who get his free Money Tips weekly email, go to moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip