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Excellent! Can you please post this in more detail on the day I ask for reader stories -- this coming week? e.g. What were the errors they made, why did you decide not to settle for a lame giftcard, how did you ask him for this service, how much does window installation normally cost, and/or what your thoughts were through the process?
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Definitely! I would send an email following this basic structure:
a) thank them for being good property managers (if that's remotely the case)
b) introduce your concerns, with the tone not of a quid pro quo (higher rent for these services), but as a great tenant working together with a great landlord/manager (i.e. lease is up, and before we extend this lease there are a few issues i want to bring your attention.
c) list the concerns
d) ask when/how (not IF) they will be resolved.
e) greeting/thanks
If you hear nothing back, then you can get explicit. Call/visit the manager and say, "Before I renew the lease, I want to find out which of the repairs you'll be doing and when. Can we sit down and make a written addendum to the lease so we are both clear about the improvements?" If the balk, time to negotiate a lower rent.
And before you write anything, I want to pass along one thing my property manager told me (paraphrased): "The tenants who tell us about problems and ask us to fix things are the ones we like. The one who don't say anything are the ones we worry about. Because suddenly there's a caved in roof or mold all over the baseboard, and they never told you about the leak because they thought you'd raise the rent." So remember, you're dong them a favor by listing problems.
One last thought: This is kind of a generic way to proceed. I don't know your exact situation (how did your discussion go before, is the landlord usually good or not, how big is the rent increase). If you want a more tailored answer, please email me. thedailyasker at gmail.
Good luck!! I'm happy you're thinking in these terms and I can't wait to hear about your victory. -
DISCLAIMER: I'm not a financial professional or experience debt negotiator. Please take everything I say with a dose of skepticism. I'm just a blogger who asks. :) There's also a lot of info about this on the internet. Now here's my answer:
Good afternoon. That's a great idea, and I wish you luck! There are a few strategies you can take. First, try explaining your financial situation and asking for a reduction. If you do this, you should probably talk to a supervisor rather than the first person who answers (who may not have the power to change your loan amount or interest rate). You should also have a prepared, compelling statement for why they should do this. Just saying "I'm struggling" probably won't be enough. Explaining your job situation, a big expense, or some other reason you can't keep up would likely be more effective. Asking is most effective when you establish a personal rapport, so try to make the conversation personal and maybe even frame it in a way the listener can relate. As for actual words, how about something like this to conclude your request? "I recognize that I created this debt and I know it's a lot to ask for you to forgive part of it, but I am in a situation where I can't keep up anymore, and every day I worry about waking up and making these payments. If there's anything you can do -- reduce my debt or move me to a better interest rate, or refer me to your settlement program, or work with me to pay this off in a more manageable way, I would be very grateful." (I don't recommend reading this directly, but coming up with a version that works for your situation. But this should give you a general idea.)
Second, you could use the "comparison shopping" approach. Just as you would tell a couch merchant, "Your competitor has a better price across the street," if you have other card offers, or if you've applied for a card with a better interest rate, say you will transfer the balance if they do not offer a reduction. They want your loan, since it's an asset to them -- remember that. At the same time, you did acquire that debt, and they owe you nothing beyond what's listed in their legal terms and conditions.
Thanks for asking! -
Hi. This was at the bottom of the list of questions and somehow I missed it. Sorry! I love this idea. Hmmmmm.... Can I be a glutton and list a few?
1) Baby Stalin or Hitler: Hi darling baby, want to come over and play in my back yard? Bang bang. Oh no, you accidentally shot yourself with my loaded gun! I'll never forgive myself.
2) Amelia Earhart: Where are you?
3) Michelangelo: Can I have those notebooks you were about to throw away?
4) Manet: Can I pose for you?
5) Brutus: What made you do it?
6) Jesus: Why don't you pick a handful of female apostles? Trust me, this tiny decision will make a huge difference a few millennia from now.
7) Lincoln: What were you feeling the night before the Civil War was declared?
8) Chopin: Can I take a nap under your piano while you play?
9) Nostradamus: Seriously? -
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I know your site and I LOVE it!! We have to talk. I admire and respect everything you're doing. How can I put asking to the service of those who want to loosen the clutches of the WIC on innocent, indgnant and fed up brides and grooms?
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Your question was cut off (see paragraph above). But if you're looking for ways to rationalize/justify the course to your employer, you can tell them that it would empower you to negotiate way more than salaries. Anything that involves an unfixed value (and sometimes, things with a predetermined value). For example: insurance for a fleet of rental cars, the second quarter marketing budget for your division, number of people ot be staffed on a given project, the kinds of services a vendor will provide for a given fee, and many other corporate situations. It's both theoretical and practical, geared to improving both buying and selling. I'm certain the course instructors would be willing to explain what's covered in class to your boss. Let me know if you want their emails.
Good luck -- and great move. Let me know how it turns out! -
I spotted this, but thanks for letting me know! Maybe I'll add a link to her book on my blog. It's got some great, stylish advice.
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Hi! Mr. A stayed in California, since his employer kept him very busy. =( But, we're going to be in Spain soon, where he'll have a true vacation. We can't wait! Any requests from Espana for you and Mr. S?
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I have been to a few other places -- Ciao Bella, Dance for Two, one on Miramar (former El Mundo de Tango), Bourbon St, one on 30th in NoPa and Pattie Wells. Always looking for recommendations -- what am I missing, or which of these do you enjoy most?
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I could never answer that on formspring, not because I don't want to, but because I have been so fortunate and been on the receiving end of such kindness and generosity that I'd need a year to begin properly documenting it. Top candidates, in a 30-second outburst: my parents for giving me life and relentlessly standing by me, Mr. A for loving me as I am, certain people in my past who have selflessly intervened at pivotal crossroads in my youth and taken steps to help me end up on the optimal path, others who have intervened when I was on the brink of desperation and healed me, other people who have inexplicably trusted me when I asked them to (whether for their benefit or mine), the countless people who have responded to my askings, certain covert acts of kindness I still marvel at, and other entirely open ones, like the gift of a piano from an old lady when I was 11 and we couldn't afford one, and I should not discount certain well chosen words from influential individuals that have made bad days good, or good days better, and perhaps cumulatively made me want to share my words with others...
I know as I reread this answer I will keep remembering other nice things I am grateful for, and that process will be a steady source of joy...
What a fantastically difficult question. Thank you for asking it. Thinking about this answer has been the highlight of my day.
What about you? -
This is the third message I've gotten like this in 2 days. Hence I must deduce that either you have dementia or Alzheimer's, or a home debt website got a hold of my formspring and is sending multiple queries my way, or you are a spammer. I'll answer your question if you prove you're not in the third category. Here's how: email me with your favorite Daily Asker post, tell me who Linda Babcock is and send a paragraph describing the most interesting thing you've ever asked for. Ciao!
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I'd pay off my student loans, take an around-the-world trip with Mr. A and then ask an expert how I should invest the rest.
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Depends on a lot of variables. But bottom line: introduce yourself, tell them about your background and show them why you're the candidate they should hire. If you have a cover letter draft you want me to look at, email me.
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I should be better about getting the word out about my project and connecting with other bloggers/askers/questioners/thinkers out there. That's what I'm starting to do, bit by bit. If you want to connect or link up, if you also have a blog, let me know!
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I would love to! Want to connect on gmail? We can do it on the phone or email, whichever you prefer. My address is thedailyasker@gmail.com. Thanks for asking! =)
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No, but the opposite has happened: someone has asked me to speak, and I said yes. That's how I ended up meeting with the congressional staffers in D.C. last month. After that great experience, I'm up for talks, seminars or workshops for anyone who's interested!
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Presto! There you go!
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I will think about this and let you know what ideas I get! Can you wait a few days so this can percolate? Thanks for asking! :)
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La Roxy’s Bio
Asking daily since 2008.
