I think lots of people have no idea what the heck this post is about, after reading the title. Well, let me tell you. This post is about the power of using the popular “I will switch phrase. Okay, I think you’re still confused. Let me be more specific. I am talking about when a company/service provider lets you, as a consumer, down. These can include Cell Phone Companies, Internet Companies, just to name a few. I think we’ve all been there, and used that line sometime in our life, simply because IT WORKS.
Nothing scares a company more than saying that you will switch to another company, offering the same service and/or items. They get even more scared when it is their competitor, and will do anything to keep you as a customer of theirs. I had never used the line myself, but found the power in it yesterday, when I used it for the first time. I logged onto my Hostgator Cpanel, only to find that my database for a niche site of mine had been completely erased. Yeah, well, I sure as heck didn’t do that — I never play around with the databases. I got onto the live chat, and the “rude” tech ticked me off, for a lack of better words. I wish took a screenshot of the conversation, but unfortunately, did not.
At one point, I felt like I was talking to a 12 year old kid. He would not cooperate at all, and was not willing to help me out as a customer of Hostgator. He told me my only option was to pay $15 to have the database restored. I’m an honest guy, and would take the blame if it was truely my mistake. But fact is, I did not touch a thing. Something had gone wrong, and it was not my fault. I was not going to pay $15 for something that was not my mistake. Okay, so get ready for what I did!
I sent an email to HostGator, which you can see below.
I realize it seems a bit harsh, and my tone in the email was a bit childish, but clearly I did something right — because it worked. My email was passed on to the “Supervisor, and with a few more emails back and forth, the $15 fee was waived, and everything was set up for me.
What I’m going to say next is simply common sense, but I’m going to say it anyways — don’t abuse this! Sure, companies will do anything to keep you as a customer, but be honest. If it was truely your fault, take blame. Just to clear all doubts (as for my case) Hostgator did look into it, and only waived the fee because it was indeed a mistake on their part. If it had been my fault, I really doubt they would have waived it, but who knows, right? My point is, karma is a %^#%$. If you’re going to lie to a company to save yourself some money, expect it to come back to bite you. On the other hand, do not pay for a mistake that was not yours. These companies have to take responsibility for things, just like us individuals do.
My friend once received a cell phone bill for $1000 — yup! He called the company, and they waived it down to $200. He also used the “I’ll Will Switch” line, but as for his story for why he had such a high bill — I don’t know. I don’t think it’s easy to rack up such a high phone bill by “accident”! 
Anyways, my semi-rant for the day. I hope I can put that $15 to use — maybe some Taco Bell tonight! Have a good weekend everyone.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
wow..another article about hostgator..look like this hosting provider really popular
Yeah, a lot of people host with them.
Oh this is cool news for me! I dint know that his line works this very well. I always thought that the Corporation doesn’t really care if they loose one member. I will use this line Smartly from now on.
Yeah, I used to think the same. But when you think of it, losing one customer could cost Hostgator thousands of dollars in the long run.
Wow, that was quite easy. You just threatened and they restored it, for free. That is not bad at all.
Hahaha yeah, pretty funny when I think of it. But hey, it works.
I will Switch. I haven’t tried it much. Anyways thanks for sharing your experience.
Anytime! Hope it’ll be of some use to you in the future.
Amazed to see that it happened with you using HosGator as I haven’t faced any problem yet in last7 months..
Well I really agree those three words are really powerful to make the company obey properly to your problems. I have used those words few times when my internet is giving hell lot of problems..
Yeah, others tell me the same. No one seems to have problems with Hostgator except for me — pretty weird.
Good to see these three words have helped you before also.
I am pretty happy with my host but in the event I need one Host Gator would probably be one of the first ones I would call.
They are pretty good, just mess up once in a while (as this post shows). Then again, everyone messes up sometimes, right?
By the way, may I ask who you host with now?
It can be dangerous, but it can work. Sometimes people/companies take chances and if you just do as they say then they score. If you are right and they are wrong then don’t fall victim to any of their wrong doings.
Yeah, I understand. It isn’t a good idea to take advantage of this. Could come back to bite you. I only did this because it truely was their fault.
Quite a trick for effectiveness!
I think you have a way coming with a simply yet effective ways.
But I have a hunch that it may not work repeatedly. What is your view on that?
You have a point Chris. It will work at times, and not at others. Just hope that you get lucky.
Glad to see they fixed your problem. I have been using Hostgator for a while now and have not one thing bad to say about them. The servers don’t go down (at least not while I have been awake) and their support has been excellent.
I have used the “I will switch” many times when it comes to our local cable company (Time Warner) and ATT. I have been using ATT for over a year now and they offered me a great 6-month deal to sign-up. Twice now when my bill was about to go up, I called and mentioned Time Warner’s current deal and they instantly extend my deal for another 6 months. I like that
Well, I’m happy to see you aren’t having problems with them. Their service seems a bit better now, but I remember in the summer, my site would randomly go down. I know it was their servers, because everything else on the Internet loaded perfectly fine.
LOL, perfect example Doug. It always works with those big companies. For them, giving you some free TV, or cutting your cell phone bill, is worth it. In the end, they will keep you as a customer, and profit in the long run.