Save Money by Being Friendly

Here's a reminder of the money saving tip I highlighted in Money Saving Tip: Get to Know the Staff:

Get to know the staff.

This can mean getting to know them over time or just being friendly on a single visit and establishing a relationship. Doing so can save you a ton of money.

I was reminded of this tip last week when my wife and I went shopping for a bed (a hideous task in and of itself). We went into a local Sleep Doctor store and started talking to the manager. We struck up a friendly conversation and were getting ready to leave when he said something like, "let me help you out a bit." He wrote down "$300 off, no taxes, no delivery" on the back of his business card. It was a self-made coupon. He said that if we decided to buy a bed from him, we could use the "coupon" to save some money.

Yes, it's true that he probably gave us the deal because he wanted us to come back and buy the bed. And the deal wasn't "that" special -- it basically was the same offer they had run a few weeks earlier as a special promotion. That said, he really didn't need to offer us anything. We would have probably purchased the bed at the regular price (though he didn't know that). But I'm certain that the fact that we were friendly and hit it off with him played at least a role -- probably a major one -- in him giving us the deal.

So, by being nice, we saved over $400! (We bought the bed last weekend.) Not bad, huh?

Comments

[annab]

Very true. The converse is also true: if you're being a brat, you're probably not getting the best deal. I'll typically bend over backwards to help a nice customer. The jerks get the 1,000 yard stare.

[Rhea]

Being friendly, while desirable in all spheres, is really quite helpful, as you've demonstrated, in commercial settings. I've had times when I have been having a drink with a friend at the bar, we strike up a great conversation with the bartender and he gives us the name of bartender friends around town for free drinks. I've also been friendly with the hardware store in my neighborhood. When I forgot my wallet one day, they said, don't worry, pay later. Things like that happen all the time!

[Tom]

This is very true. When I used to work retail, I would always try to strike a deal with people who were more friendly. The people who were more agressive and mean, I would put less effort into helping them. Being mean just gets you kicked out the door.