More on Asking for a Discount

Here's another real-life example of how a Free Money Finance reader saved some money simply by asking for a discount:

My wife and I had been looking at getting bicycles for about 6 months, we started in the fall because that's when bike sales are supposed to happen. Well there weren't any last year, so we waited the winter and were planning on buying some this spring. We were driving by one of the bike shops a couple of weeks ago and they had a "SALE" sign up. Bingo, time to go shopping!

The bikes we wanted were normally $380, but were on sale for $300 each. Not bad. So we took them for a test ride and decided that we were going to buy them. When we got back to the store, I just nonchalantly asked "since we're buying 2, will you give us a discount?" The salesman replied, "sure we can do that." We got another 5% off the total. Not bad since we would have bought the bikes anyways even if he said no. Saved $30 for just asking. My wife, however, was thoroughly impressed. :)

$30 for about 1 minute of wok (at most.) That's $1,800 per hour!!!! ;-)

Comments

[Aaron]

Great job. What kind of bikes did you end up with? Personally, I would have angled for a percentage discount on needed accessories (good shorts, maybe a jersey, pump, etc) instead of $$$ off the bike though. The shop my wife works at actually offers this deal to customers when they buy a bike; I don't remember if it's 10 or 15% though. Any how before I ramble too much, enjoy your new bikes!!

[Turn One Pound Into One Million]

It sounds silly but I never think to ask for a discount. I really should do it more - I mean they can only say no and what's the harm in that!

[SB]

Haggling hits the maintstream!

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/28/pf/goodbye_retail/index.htm?postversion=2008052915

[Michael]

Sometimes with bigger work, you can get a significant discount if you pay with cash. For example, I had some major work done in the backyard last year. The original quote was $3,000 but when I asked if I could get a cash discount, he dropped the price to $2,100, almost a thousand dollar savings to me.

Now, I'm guessing that with cash, the government doesn't get tax income. If you have misgivings or worries, this might not be for you. I also wouldn't do this with someone you've not worked with or been referred to, because I'm guessing the lack of paper trail would make it harder to get repairs or the like taken care of. However, this was someone that had been doing work for my parents for years, so I was comfortable making the offer.

Just something else to consider.

[Darin H]

Thanks Aaron, we got 2 Giant Sedonas (comfort bikes, nothing major just want to cruise around a bit) don't know the exact model offhand, but it wasn't the lowest end one. All the accessories were on sale too so we got good deals on just about everything as well, but the extra discount was on the bikes themselves.

[Angie]

It's not exactly asking for a discount, but in a way it is. I am trying to improve my ability to qualify for a mortgage. My main problem right now is debt to income ratio limit of 36%.

Over the past year I have prepaid approximately $12,000 on one of my student loans. On top of that, the interest rate has dropped from 8.26% to 5.5% from the 3-month LIBOR.

I figured that if rates go up they recalculate your minimum payment so it can't hurt to see if they can lower it. I called and the lady politely said it would be no problem, the payment would be recalculated with the same terms. Changes would be based on the lower balance and interest rate. Score! I am awaiting the final number but I am expecting my payment to be reduced to ~$300 (if not less). That is $225 less than before I picked up the telephone. By my calculations allowing me to qualify for about 20k more house.

Of course I will still apply the old payment, or at least re-route the difference to a higher rate loan. But my reportable monthly debt has been reduced.

One big step towards improving my ability to qualify for a mortgage. I am feeling a little bit more confident now that I can reach my goal. Hopefully I can find a few other ways to help me out.

[jason]

Awesome story! We have to remember that all of the stores we shop at have their markup. I love to haggle when I have more than one advantage, just last week I bought a shotgun at a pawn shop and before I even looked at the price, I knew I could talk them down because I had cash, and its a pawn shop. Got $50 off the gun because I used a flaw on the gun as a bargaining chip and of course cash in pocket!