Asking for discounts

[2moretrees]

When do you feel it's inappropriate to ask for a discount? Are there times when it isn't appropriate to ask for a discount?

[akaivyleaf]

Re: Asking for discounts

I think everything is negotiable. I ask for discounts everywhere. I don't go around damaging stuff to get it though, I just simply ask.

For example, in the Grocery store- They advertised one configuration of a product, a Hot Pockets value pack, but in actuality they had a different configuration of the value pack with more product that the advertised pack, so I asked that they honor the advertised price on what they had. Rain Checks are bargining, so many people think that when a grocery store is out that you just missed out on the sale. Nope, find the manager and make arrangements to have the price honored when their stock is up.

I've negotiated for gas prices when I carried a gas charge card at BP. They hated to see me coming, becuase they knew I was going to pay the price of the cheapy station across the way at their location. They could see the advertised price out of their window so they always had to recalcuate my purchase and honor their competitors price.

I guess I'm just bold enough to ask, everywhere I go. I can't think of any place that I wouldn't ask, or wouldn't expect to negotiate. Every commodity sold to the public is marked up. I do take that back.... If I shop at a wholesale outlet, I don't negotiate.

I'm not rude when I ask, I ask the for the right people, and I ask the right question and I've carefully planned out my strategy to get what I want at the price I wanna pay. The person at the counter or your salesperson generally can't negotiate so I don't even bother to stress them out, I ask for the manager on duties name, and if I could please speak with Mr(s)_______ and go from there. I also have already calculated the percentage that I want and its just a knack that I have for facts and figures. By the time they get their calculator out and figure I'm right, I'm generally a shoe in for getting what I want.

I also have my own theories about negotiating with women, we're generally harder to convince. I don't want to be sexist, but I can get a man to take my offer pretty quickly, a woman hems and haws over it forever, almost to the point where I'm like "forget it" but I've come this far, I'm not turning around.

I've also learned that "no" is just a two letter word. If they don't want to negotiate and give me an acceptable counter offer, I can't be so attached, that I can't go to their competitor and I think every product/business has a competitor.

[kashi]

Re: Asking for discounts

ugh, I just wrote a long response and lost it.

the gist was, when I studied in South America, bargaining with shopkeepers was the norm. I had a hard time doing it. I couldn't stand grinding them down to $1 for a handmade blanket when they originally asked for $10, all the while seeing their small children in the back, shoeless and dirty. I paid the price they asked on more than one occasion, without bartering.

in corporate America, I can see it, but I just can't do it. I'd rather comparison shop to find the best deal, or not buy it at all.

[akaivyleaf]

Re: Asking for discounts

Ooh, I don't bargin for handmade items. They NEVER charge enough for their time. That to me would be a time with bargining is inappropriate.

[MrsChambers]

Re: Asking for discounts

yeah.. I have to agree.. whenever I go to mexico and I ask, what do you want for this? and they reply, what will you pay for it?... just makes me wanna walk out.. I'm not a person to haggle.....


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