How to Negotiate a Discount on Almost Anything
Posted on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 2:45 pm in Financial Planning
Everyone loves to get something for less than the sticker price, but most of us simply don’t know how to ask for a discount. The formula for striking a real bargain on a product or serve basically has three components: be friendly, have the right information, and be bold enough to ask for a price break.
Perhaps the most important of these is being nice. You tend to get further with a pleasant manner than a pushy attitude. Always smile and be patient and positive, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to get the salesperson on your side. Never be a jerk, because nobody wants to help a jerk. Try to win them over by saying things like:
• “I’m sure you can see how frustrating this is”
• “I’ve always paid my bill on time. Can you help me out with this late fee?”
• “I’ve been doing business with your company for 10 years now. Is there anything you could do to help me?”
• “Can you work with me?”
• “I’ve always been happy with the service I’ve received from your company”
Do a bit of research before you start haggling for a discount. These days it’s easy to find information about products, prices and companies on the web. Arm yourself with price data from a rival’s website or a comparison shopping site before you go to the store or call the company in question. But even if you don’t have any hard facts to back up your claim to a discount, you can look for other factors. Try asking for a service during the off season or non-peak hours, buy in bulk, offer to take a damaged product off their hands or relieve them of excess stock. Here are some phrases to remember:
• “I was at – competing store – yesterday and they’re selling these for $20 right now”
• “This has some scratches on it. Would you be willing to give me a 25% discount?”
• “This is my favorite store. The place down the street is selling these shoes for $45. Can you work with me here?”
• “I noticed you’ve had this in the store for a few months now. I’d consider buying it right now if you could give me a good price”
• “I really love this dress but it’s a bit above my budget. Is there anything you can do to help me?”
You’d be amazed how far you can go just by asking. Don’t be shy, but keep it friendly so neither you nor the salesperson feels upset if you can’t strike a deal. And you can always go back and try again another time. Sometimes it helps to offer cash on the spot, especially for relatively expensive items. Also, make sure you’re discreet – the salesperson probably wouldn’t want everyone to know you’re getting a discount. And you might get the best result when the store or office is less busy, so the salesperson has time to consider your proposal properly.
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3 Easy Steps to Get Your Quick Cash
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