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Home » Business And Finance Articles » Compare Balance Transfer Credit Cards To Find The Best Deal

Compare Balance Transfer Credit Cards to Find the Best Deal

So you took advantage of one of those credit repair credit cards with higher interest rates to help you repair your credit?

Or perhaps you missed a payment or two a while back and are now saddled with a fairly large balance on a high interest credit card. Maybe it was your first credit card, and you're still paying the interest rate offered to those with no status credit. No matter what the reason, you've got a credit card balance on which you're paying interest rates higher than average, and you'd like to cut those monthly payments. Welcome to the world of balance transfer credit cards.

Balance transfer credit cards are credit cards that offer a special interest rate on accounts transferred from another credit card. Essentially, when you take advantage of balance transfer credit cards, you're borrowing money on your new credit card to pay off the balance on your old (higher interest) credit card, then repaying the new credit card company at a lower rate of interest. 0% balance transfer rates have been a popular incentive for credit card companies to attract business for the past several years.

Lately, though, many credit card companies have found that offering 0% balance transfers is a losing proposition for them as customers play credit card shuffle, moving their account balances from one card to another whenever the 0% interest rate ends. In order to combat that practice, credit card companies are getting more creative with their balance transfer credit cards. That's why it's important to compare balance transfer credit cards to be sure you're getting the best possible deal - or at least one that actually will save you money in the long run.

Here are some things to watch for when comparing balance transfer credit cards:

How long does the introductory balance transfer rate last?

The 0% balance transfer interest rate is usually an introductory rate. As long as you pay off the entire balance within the introductory period - usually six to nine months - you pay no interest at all on the amount that you've transferred.

How much is the balance transfer fee?

Often, there's a charge for transferring your balance from one card to another. Be sure to include that fee in your costs when you compare balance transfer credit cards.

What is the interest rate AFTER the introductory period ends?

The introductory rate will end eventually. How much will you be paying in interest after it ends? Will that apply to the entire balance, or just the amount left on your transferred balance?

Are there other restrictions?

The newer balance transfer credit cards offer other incentives than 0% interest rates on your transferred balance, or may include restrictions to how long the balance must remain on the card. Many of the new balance transfer credit cards offer an interest free second year, or a one-month free payment rather than a 0% transfer fee as a way to get around the credit card balance shufflers. When you compare balance transfer credit cards, be sure to make a note of any restrictions on the balance transfer offers.

So you can see it's important to compare balance transfer credit cards to check the best deal. At www.moneyeverything.com/cards you'll find all the latest no interest balance transfer credit cards, along with details so that you can compare balance transfer credit cards to be sure you're getting a deal that will save you money.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

A Simple Sales Strategy: What To Say When Asked For A Discount

Has anyone ever said to you, "Your price is too high and I'd like a discount." In this article I outline two approaches for responding to this comment. One of the approaches even has the potential for you to make a bigger sale than you originally anticipated. Curious?

First, giving discounts in the right way may well be the most appropriate thing to do. Conversely, giving a discount in the wrong way can not only lose you a sale but could lose you all possible future sales from a potential client. Read on to see what I mean.

Just suppose you say "yes" and immediately give a discount. What do you think this potential client now thinks?:

* You seem desperate for the sale.

* I wonder how far you will lower your price. Mmmm, maybe I should ask for an even bigger discount than I originally planned.

* The price you originally offered was not the real price. Are you trying to trick me? Can I really trust you?

* You don't set a very high value on your own services if you are prepared to discount so quickly.

* You agree your price is too high. This is a problem.

* Next time I come to buy anything from you, I will ask for a discount again.

The problem with just giving a discount by itself is that you have given something away and have asked for absolutely nothing in return. You've just created a win/lose situation. The potential client has "won" a discount amount and you have "lost" it. Also, just because you've agreed to a discount doesn't mean you'll get the sale, in fact, quite the opposite. You may have damaged your credibility to the extent this person no longer trusts you or wants to do business with you.

Just suppose now that instead of giving the discount you ask them, "Why do you want a discount?" The response will help you understand what is behind the request. Then, depending on how they respond, you could use one of two approaches.

Approach One

This approach is useful if money really is an issue. Instead of giving a discount, you lower the price by taking out something of value. This is a win/win choice. They get the lower price and you still maintain your price for a certain value bundle. You could say, for example, "If price is more of an issue for you, then I suggest that we take out X product/service." (Suggest taking something out of high-perceived value). The person needs to see that in order to get the discount they have to give up some of the value from your offer. Alternatively you could ask them for suggestions for what they'd like to take out. Or maybe offer a couple of suggestions. Your potential clients need to understand that there is a price for reducing the price!

Approach Two

You agree to give a discount provided they give you something in return. In exchange for a discount you ask them to give you something which is important or of value to you. That's another win/win choice. For example, suppose you offer consulting at $200 an hour, and someone asks for a discount. You could say, "I am prepared to reduce my rate from $200 to $180 an hour if you agree to an initial 100 hours of consulting." The client will receive the discount and you have received a commitment for 100 hours. Another example is giving a discount based on the client buying from you by a certain date, which is an important date for you (e.g. tax year end). The important thing is to ensure that whatever you do, it is a win/win situation and that the person is perfectly clear as to why you are prepared to give the discount.

I was once involved in a very large sale worth several million dollars. As usual, I was asked for a sizeable discount. I agreed to the discount provided the client made a commitment to purchase some other services at the same time (which they needed). As a result of being asked for a discount and the way I packaged my response, I ended up with a much bigger sale, double in fact!

I hope you're starting to see that when people ask for a discount, it creates a great opportunity for you.

(c) Tessa Stowe, Sales Conversation, 2005 You are welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end).