Tuesday Tip | Ask for a discount.
This is a tough one for me because I'm a people-pleaser at the core. I don't like to rock the boat, I don't like to be "inconvenient", and I don't like to make anyone uncomfortable.
These qualities don't exactly make one a natural-born haggler.
BUT.
Much as I don't like to be a problem for other people, I also really do not like to spend money.
So, sometimes I screw up the courage to ask for a discount.
What I remind myself of is this: the very worst thing I can hear is a no.
And if I do hear a no, I'm not any worse off than if I'd never asked.
The best-case scenario is that I'll get the product/service I want and I'll also get to keep more of my money. Win-win!
A couple of tips:
- Ask nicely. Smile, be agreeable, and treat the other person like the human being that they are.
- Acknowledge that they're not obligated to give you the discount. A demanding attitude usually doesn't work too well.
- Have a good reason or two to ask for the discount (The box is damaged. The car you're selling needs a new tire. The package came later than was promised. This item of clothing has a stain.)
- If there's a benefit for the other party, mention it. ("I'll buy the item with the damaged box so that you don't have to mark it out of stock." Or, "If I get multiple neighbors to sign up for your service, that could save your technician time and gas."
- Let the other person suggest a discount because they might suggest more than you'd ask for.
Lastly: Use common sense to avoid being an obnoxious cheapskate. If you try to haggle the price on a perfectly good item offered at a perfectly good price and you've got no reason to ask for a discount, you will just make yourself odious. 😉
Let it be known: I do not encourage obnoxious frugality.
But when there ARE good reasons to ask for a discount, and/or there are benefits you can offer to the other party, then hey, be brave enough to speak up!
After two nails in two different tires on our moving truck that required replacements in inconvenient locations and then finding out the tires are old and already patched in multiple places, my husband will be "asking" for a discount when he returns our Enterprise truck. He's always very civil and calm (as you noted, being otherwise doesn't get you very far), but he is also a lawyer, and thus very experienced in unpleasant negotiations. At least this one doesn't involve a felon or a psychopath. At least, I hope not. 🙂
Amusingly, considering his profession, he would rather lose money than point out an error in a charge or ask for a discount on something like your faucet, whereas I'm much more likely to do that. Not VERY likely--I'm a people-pleaser like you--but more likely than him.
Such good advice! Also.. Pay Attention to what you are buying and what it is ringing up. My store has a policy that if they item rings up in correct and you catch it.. you will get it corrected.. the first one item is free.. the remainder of the same items price is corrected. I have had cashiers get snippy with me b/c I question prices... but I quietly point out the policy posted on their light pole... It is usually little things.. b/c I am aware of what I am spending... I truly just want to not be charged incorrectly.. free is a total bonus to me.. The one day it was just a jar of marshmallow cream that rang up the reg price and not the sale price .15 less. one week it was a bag of fish filets... Husband picked them out b/c of their sale price.. they rang up the original.. I questioned it. " hey, I thought the fish filets were 9.99 not 12.99.. I might have looked at the wrong tag.. but I was wanting the 9.99 ones".. Someone went to check and I was right... the computer was wrong.. but my passive, non threatening tone and appreciation of their efforts made it painless..
Later this week I am having a meeting with a banquet facility to discuss a very disappointing even at their facility and talk reimbursement $$ for it.. I am putting together a doc with issues and $$ reimbursement I am looking for to go prepared..eeek! This one is a bit daunting...
My banquet facility experience: I signed a contract that said if we didn't sell a certain amount of liquor we would have to pay a penalty. Then they put on one inexperienced bartender that hadn't stocked the bar well enough. Service was so slow people who normally had two or three drinks settled for one. When they asked me to pay the penalty I explained why I felt they were responsible. They never came back and asked again.
Great advice! I'm not afraid of rejection as much as being seen as a cheap Asian. You know there's a stereotype that Asians are cheap, and I don't want to perpetuate that.
I have had a yard sale where some people giggled hard, and the word cheap did cross my mind. But I have to remind myself that it's not easy to make even a quarter for lots of people. 🙂
My husband and I are huge people pleasers too. It's very annoying because I hate creating inconveniences.
Not sure how other people do it but it takes my husband 10 minutes to gather up the courage for a conversation on the phone with AT&T over an error. These are great tips, I've gotten better but there's still work to do. It's about pushing comfort zones.
I'm terrible with this because I hate coming across looking like a cheap jerk. I did try asking the hospital after an ER visit for my daughter if I could get a discount by paying with cash and they said they didn't do that.
We're car shopping now so I'll have to get better at this quickly.
I hate talking to people, (pathological shyness) so I did a lot of car negotiating online and used Costco for prici. That helped a lot.
Battra92 - perhaps it would help to keep in mind that car salesman are trained in taking advantage in negotiations. (I have this from the horse's mouth.) Here are some things I did, to get a good price on my car. They are in addition to the usual advice such as not discussing a trade-in till you negotiate the sale price.
1) Once I decided what to buy, I got quotes via Consumer Reports; other orgs offer this as well, including credit unions and affiliate organizations. I then talked with some of the dealerships about additional discounts, using many of the tricks the FG listed. I did not, at this time, mention useful affiliations (which might include union membership, AARP, military or police, teacher, student, etc).
2) Once I got a "final" price from several organizations, I then pushed other dealerships for lower prices, using the prices I got from "other local dealerships" as the price for them to beat. I did not always tell the full truth about the price offered - I subtracted as much as $600. The salesman asked what other dealership offered that good a price; I did not tell him.
3) Try not to bring the baby. The whole process can take a surprisingly long time.[1] A salesman could use your need to leave as a lever to get you to reach agreement rather than negotiate more. Although, I know one person who strategically breast-fed her baby while negotiating, to disconcert the salesman. It worked.
4) I went when the salesmam was motivated to get the sale. Toward the end of the month, for example.
5) Once I reached a price I mostly liked, or when the negotiation was approaching an end (see ProTip A, below), then I asked what additional benefit I could get from my useful affiliation(s).
A) ProTip: the smaller the difference between someone's offers, the closer they are to their actual minimum price. If the salesman drops the price by $1000, there's a lot of room left to bargain. If you're arguing over $50, the salesman probably can't do it.
B) ProTip: if the price is close to what to pay, rather than try to reduce the price, bargain for other valuable items. These could be add-ons to the car[2], additional free service, special trim/paint job/seats, whatever. You can also try to stack manufacturer discount with dealership discount/benefits - remember that only the latter costs the dealership.
C) ProTip: be prepared to walk away. There are many other dealerships and other models that will fit your need.
[1] I knew what car I wanted, what I was going to pay (more or less), and didn't need financing. It still took 3 hrs.
[2] Be sure to price this from third-party suppliers first. A tow-hitch for my car was $400 from the manufacturer but $150 from a highly reliable third party. When you negotiate, say you know you can get it for $150 and do not consider it worth $400.
I hate talking to people due to my pathological shyness, so I did most of my car negotiations online and used Costco for price comparisons. So much easier. And I got the car under the invoice price.
We simply told a car dealer what we were wiling to pay for a car on their lot. When they said that was too low. We left. We were halfway out the door when they called us back and said OK.
I never, ever did that until I started witnessing my husband getting discounts or free items by just asking nicely and often, humorously. So when I went to a store and bought a bedding set of mattress, box spring and metal bedframe, I spoke up as the clerk started filling out the paper work, adding up the three items. When he said how much the bedframe was, around $35 I think it was, I said, lightheartedly with a smile, while channeling my husband, "Wait, I'm buying a whole mattress set for cash, and I have to pay for the frame?" The clerk stopped, thought for a moment, and said he supposed they could throw that in for free. He'd already priced the mattress and boxspring for me, so I knew he didn't add it to their price secretly; he really gave the frame to me. I walked out of there astounded at myself. Since then, I've found it easier to ask.
Your rules are great, Kristen, especially the one to be nice!
There are times to get mean or loud (details available upon request) but never at first. Well, almost never.
May I gently disagree?
You can always choose your response. If someone else wants to be a jerk, we have to let him, but exercising self-control is a preferred choice.
"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare..." Prov. 15:1
If in doubt, always ponder whether you would like your children to see you act in this manner or say those words... ugh. Kindness is best (and yes, I'm working on it myself).
I have had situations where the business did not uphold their end of the deal till I started getting loud or pushy (which is what I meant by "mean"). If my initial quiet attempts fail, I will get increasingly loud and forceful till the biz does what it should.
Note this is when the biz has messed up (again, examples available on request) not if I'm asking for an extra discount.
I agree that it is sometimes necessary to be aggressively assertive to avoid getting fleeced.
That's one of my favorite verses!
Great tips! Just the other day, I encouraged my husband to ask for a discount at our local thrift store. He was purchasing multiple pieces of artwork for his office. Much to his surprise, they said yes. I have another believer in the house 🙂
We summoned up the courage to send an email to the financial aid office at our son's college, asking for a grant to help with his tuition, and were THRILLED to receive an email back, offering a generous amount off of his bill. (he pays the tuition, we help with room and board) NOT what I was expecting, but now I'm not afraid to ask!
One of the fears is that asking makes you look pushy. Trust your instincts about how people respond to you. You are not a jerk! You can read people and know how to be polite! Be assertive, not aggressive!
And anyway, will you ever see this salesperson you think you embarrassed yourself in front of again? Perhaps not.
On a large purchase, at least try asking for free delivery or extending the warranty. And if the salesperson worked hard to try to work something out for you, be sure to sincerely say thank you and compliment their business. It is especially challenging for real store businesses now, with thin profit margins, when so much can be bought on-line or in super-sized stores. They want repeat customers and good word-of-mouth advertising, which come from happy buyers.
I don't usually ask for discounts. I'm not that way. I usually shop in the clearance aisles or areas to get a discount.
I've seen some interesting situations when I worked in a clothing store and my boss or co-workers would spend, literally hours, with a customer. Then the customer said they wouldn't purchase unless they got a discount. Nope, no dice.
I have a small biz and contracts are part of it. Even after a client signs the contract, haggling ensues and my eyes roll. No, there aren't any discounts at this point. We negotiated before we both signed the paperwork.... I find that certain cultures think this is acceptable and normal. I then have to straighten it out and explain that contracts are binding. It really becomes a headache for me.
Which is probably why I don't do it.
When I was in college (it's been awhile), I spent a summer in China, where it is custom to "haggle" the price of just about everything. As a very shy person, that broke me in to the idea of negotiating prices. My biggest discount was probably back when I was a 20-something single person and wanted a nice big wooden dining table and chairs. I discovered that you could get a considerable discount buying the floor models. It took me trips to multiple stores to get a matching set of chairs and the generosity of my parents and their SUV to transport the table. I had to clean a layer of dust off a couple of chairs that were displayed up on the wall, but it's certainly worth it to save the money. The store was happy to get rid of some older items to make room for new. It's been about 15 years and I still love and use that table everyday for my family's meals, crafts, plus many a game night!
Being polite and thinking about things that might save the store a headache (soon to be discontinued items, seasonal items, damaged items, etc.) are definitely helpful ways to have a positive experience when asking for discounts.
Yesterday we went to the pool for my 5 year olds birthday. When I mentioned that was the reason we were there and asked if they do anything special for birthday boys, they let him in for free and gave him two free boxes of candy from the concession stand.
You are so right! My produce box delivered a moldy item, although their quality usually is great. I could have eaten the cost of one piece of produce, but I instead emailed a photo to costumer relations, asking politely for a refund. I did this to exercise my standing-up-for-myself muscle more than anything else.
I got my latest filling half price on Monday because I have a long history with my dentist and asked nicely.
I do find it hard sometimes but another trick is to ask and then not say anything for a while. People are conditioned to hate silence so ask, then give them time to consider. They will likely agree to something because you're not speaking and they feel the need to talk. If you feel them wavering, then a lighthearted reminder of your loyalty, problem with product etc, can swing a deal.
Although, if something is reasonably priced, don't haggle for the sake of it.
Our new house was done being built but our apartment lease was not up. We went to the office and told them our apartment would be empty at such and such a date in case they wanted to rent it then. They asked if we were breaking our lease. We said, "No. We know we are responsible for continuing to pay the rent. We just thought we'd let you know in case you have potential renters waiting." They rented the apartment so we didn't have to continue to pay rent on a place we were no longer living. Win-win.
Ooh, that worked out nicely!
In addition to asking for discounts on products or services with some defect, etc., there are times when it is appropriate to get a discount via customer service when you are calling about a problem with delivery (food from supermarkets, etc.) such as many hours after the time you specified for the delivery window; item did not arrive on the date it was said it would be there, etc.
In those cases, it pays to state your problem as clearly as possible and then, very politely, enlist the help of the CS rep to "solve" it. ("Can you help me with this? Who should I speak to about this problem? What can you do?)
Generally, if you are dealing with a good company, the CS rep will suggest giving you a $ amount off your order. If you feel it represents your inconvenience, you can accept. Haggeling doesn't tend to up the offer because they will probably straight out give you the maximum.
NOTE: If you get no offer for a discount, ask to speak to a supervisor.
And if this is a recurring problem (late deliveries), ask for the supervisor straight off.
If you're dealing with companies that offer no "solution" or discount of any kind, consider switching.
If you are a regular and/or "good" ($$$ spent) customer, it behooves them to give you a $ discount off your order or something equivalent (A free delivery next order, something.)
When companies offer nothing, I consider that when/if I order again from them.
The more polite you are and the better your communication of the problem and the inconvenience for you, the generally better outcome. Always be calm and don't threaten.
If you get to someone who is not listening or open, ask to speak to someone else. Sometimes you will have to call back.
It's also important to deal with the most reputable/established companies in your area, nationally, regionally. I'm not against small businesses. In fact, sometimes they are the best to deal with. But larger companies can afford (literally) to cut you some discounts.
My husband is shameless about asking for discounts. Always appropriate and always nicely but it makes me cringe. Sometimes he warns me that he will be negotiating, so I can go back to the car and wait.
This cracks me up!
I employed this technique twice when buying slightly imperfect clothes I liked at a store. Once, a cardigan was missing a button, but had an extra button attached to the tag, so it wasn't a big deal for me to sew it on. I politely asked if they would discount it since it was missing the button and they did! Plus it was the only one left in my size so I couldn't find another. The second time I found a pair of khakis in my size and in the color I wanted, which was the last one in stock, but had a slight discoloration/stain on it. I guessed it could probably be washed out, and asked if they could give me a discount since it was the last one left in my size. I was floored when they gave me 20% off with the caveat it was non-returnable. Which was totally fine with me, since I happened to be shopping on a out-of-town trip and couldn't return it even if I wanted to.
My grandma used to always say, “if you don’t open your mouth, you open your wallet.”
I can understand asking for a discount on something that is less than perfect or most likely will not be appealing to any other buyers, but a messed up faucet box has no impact on the item. That’s just cheap and insulting to the store!!