Six Times It's Easy to Ask for a Discount

As many of you know, I'm a big fan of asking for a discount. Doing so can save you a ton of money on groceries, cable TV, hotel rooms, service stations, and many other products and services.

Oftentimes people are afraid of asking for a discount -- thinking that it's rude or simply something that's just not done in America. Or perhaps they're afraid of just being told "no." Whatever the reason, this article is for those people who are reluctant to ask for a discount. It lists six times that asking for a discount should be very easy and non-threatening, and it's a reprint of a piece I originally wrote for a national magazine.

When it comes to haggling over the price of goods and services, many of us just don’t have the nerve to do it. If you’re reluctant to ask for discounts, consider this: A national survey by Consumer Reports found that more than 90 percent of shoppers who bargained got a better price. If you want to try your hand at haggling, here are some occasions when you’re virtually guaranteed a discount just for asking:

• When buying the floor model. Retailers often offer discounts on floor models. This is standard practice for appliances and electronics. “We fell in love with a particular refrigerator floor model at a local store,” says Suzanne Riojas of Fort Worth, Texas. “We waited a few weeks, noticed it was still for sale, then talked to the sales manager. We offered to take it that day if he would match our price. He did and we got that $2,700 refrigerator for $1,000.” A floor model might have a few dents and scratches, so carefully inspect it and confirm that you’ll get the full warranty.

• When the item or its packaging has been damaged. Retailers know that shoppers expect new products to be in perfect condition, so they are likely to accept a lower price for an item with a slight flaw or damaged package.

• When buying in quantity. It’s a fact of retail life that when you buy more than one of something, you often get a discount. “If asked, I always give a discount when the person is buying multiple copies or has friends that want to buy as well,” says Jesse Mecham, owner of software company YouNeedaBudget.com. “They get a great product at a discount and I generate multiple sales. It’s a win for all of us.”

• During a slow sales period. When sales are slow, certain businesses are likely to give you an “off season” discount if you ask for it. You might get a good deal at an auto dealership in December or from a roofer in February, for example.

• When there’s a sale on the same item in another store. Price-matching guarantees are commonplace, but even stores that don’t advertise them might match another store’s price if you show the salesperson a competitor’s advertisement with the item listed. That’s how Sandi Johnson, of Bloomfield, Iowa (pop. 2,601), got a discount on a vacuum cleaner. “I asked if the store would match the price of a well-known national retailer I’d seen in their circular. The store manager said they would if I could show him the flyer. It happened to be in my car, so I ran out and grabbed it, saving $55 for a two-minute trip,” she says.

• At the end of a shopping season. An end-of-season clearance sale is a good time to ask for an additional discount. “At the end of a season, we’ll sometimes offer a customer a discount on an item if it is the last of its type in stock,” says Dale Phelps, of Village Bike Shop in Grand Rapids, Mich. “It helps us move the inventory and gives the customer a price break as well.”

Most of these ideas benefit both you and the seller. So if you find a situation like the ones mentioned above, decide on a fair price, ask politely, and you might get the discount just for asking.

Comments

[Carrie @ Moneysavingmethods.com]

This is absolutely true, and can save you TONS of money a year.

And, just as you mentioned in the top of the post, Cable TV, Satelite, Telephone, Internet, etc can cause you to get discounted rates.

I pay less for my Satelite for 5 TVs with 200 plus channels than my parents were paying for basic cable. So, I called for them, too. In fact, I call in for my in laws, sisters, etc and get teir prices lowered every few months ( as they will usually only give you the lowest rates for 4 to 6 months at a time ). So, I mark my calendars and call back once my rate is scheduled to go up.

With internet, at one point, I got internet free for 2 years by calling month after month to cancel my trial to their service, and they kept extending it.

ALWAYS call and ask for discounts! It pays! Last year it saved us over $1,000 by me calling these providers.

[Squinko]

This is all great advice, but a reminder to everyone: not all stores do competitive pricing, offer bulk discounts or even give any discounts at all. There's nothing wrong with asking, but if the sales clerk says no, please don't get upset and verbally abuse them and scream and cry to the manager. I've seen it a million times working in retail and it's incredibly sad.

[Zen City Chick]

I often ask for discounts, even when none of the above is true. Sometimes the cashier will be nice and put in their employee code so I get their discount. Sometimes they just flat out tell me no. Never hurts to ask :)

[boxerson]

Works with my dentist he would rather be paid cash then have to go thru billing. SO he will take payments and charge me what he would charge an insurance company. They get less from insurance companies so why should I have to pay more. Sometimes he will take payments as long as they are doing the work, but want to be paid in full when they are done. So I spread the work out as long as I can as long as it's done and without any harm to me. He will do a cleaning for 150 and I can pay that off in 2 or 3 payments. LIKE THEY SAY ASK YOU WILL BE SURPRISED.