My Fear of Phones

Scott,

I suffer from a strange disorder — a fear of talking on the phone. I am an email, text, Messenger type of person. But this was costing me money, because our home loan rate was above 3% and negotiating it down would require me to call the bank. Well, after reading your column recently, I finally found the courage to pick up that phone! I was prepared to follow your script but chickened out and just said, “Hey, I’m looking at my home loan rate, I don’t think it’s competitive, could it be reduced at all?” A few minutes on hold (while I was prepping myself to be a bit tougher) and they agreed to drop it to 2.19%. Almost a whole percent off what I would have continued to pay if I didn’t just ask!

Thank you, Chris

Hi Chris

Far out, that’s the softest negotiation I’ve ever heard of! (Us Barefooters must be wearing them down.)

Now Chris, I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but your fear of phones is not unique:

I used to employ a couple of highly educated Millennials who were ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED of making calls.

I’d get charged too much for something and I’d say, “Ring ’em up and dispute it!”

“Can’t I just email?” they’d plead.

No! Good things happen when you connect with a human.

Scott.