Ask for bargains
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
When you think of bargaining, if you’re like me, you think of street markets and car dealerships. In most first-world countries, people don’t generally think about bargaining for better prices. However, I’ve heard a couple of things lately that encourage me to rethink this.
First, I saw an article in a magazine (can’t remember which one, or I’d link it) that was about saving money on everyday things. One of their tips was to actually ask the doctor’s office to knock something off the cost of the bill. In my area, I’ve been told that the two major local hospitals are both required to write off a certain amount of bills each year to keep their “non-profit” status (basically, they’ve been making too much money). Now, don’t misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that you run up bills you can’t afford and then try to get out of them, or that you lie about your ability to pay, or just flat out don’t pay. Instead, I’m suggesting that sometimes, just by asking (and without a sob story), your bill may be reduced.
I’ve read from several sources that paying cash can be an excellent bargaining tool. This is the case when making large purchases, like cars or furniture, but it can also work surprisingly well with smaller purchases, too. My sister, Nadine, recently made this point quite clearly.
She was shopping in the mall (she does not seem to have inheirited so many frugal genes) and found some boots she wanted. They were priced at typical mall prices, but she didn’t feel like paying that much. So she asked the manager of the store if he could give her a deal. He named a lower price than the one marked on the boots, so she started looking in her purse. She pulled out her wallet, and then pulled out all the bills and all the change. She counted it, and told him how much money she had on her, to the penny. She had the cash in her hand (about $10 less than his offer) and was clearly ready to purchase. He said he’d take it.
Now, seriously, if you can bargain in the mall, I’d guess you can bargain anywhere. Have you ever gotten a good deal this way?
Wow, good post! I am a terrible negotiator! I just feel strange asking for a discount…I don’t know why. Maybe I don’t want to be seen as “cheap.” Whoever invented the price “tag” was a psychological genius. He KNEW that putting the price on something would discourage haggling, and thus put pricing control into the hands of the seller, not the buyer.
Great post,
ncnblog.com
we shop occasionally at siera trading post, on line and in town; they deal in overstocks, last years stuff, seconds, and thirds. one time we went to see what they had and look specificaly for a footprint for my tent. we found one for another tent that would work, but not a match for my tent (was for a bigger tent with a star shape rather than roughly rectangular). it was ticketed at $50 or something. we went up to the cahsier and said hey will you take $15 or $20 for this. he punched in some numbers and sold it to us for $10.
I thought of this post just last night after placing an order with Lands End for a cashmere sweater. I’ve wanted one for years, and finally decided to treat myself. After I hit “Add to Cart” I was informed it was backordered until Dec. 5th. I went through with the order, but after thinking about it (and your post) for a while, I decided to send an email asking nicely if they’d waive the shipping cost since I had to wait so long. They responded within minutes and said they’d be happy to.
While I didn’t exactly ask for a deal on the sweater itself, I did save over $8 in shipping. And all I had to do was ask!
That’s awesome! I am always amazed, but it happens often enough that I really should be used to it. My mom always says, “You don’t get what you don’t ask for.”
I have a friend you got really good at this when he had to do a lot of purchasing for his company. He would just ask for a discount - no justification, no business case, no explanation of why he deserved it - just ask for it. He didn’t always get one, but he often did. One technique he used requires the ability to deal with socially uncomfortable situations, but it always made me laugh. The price would be $100. He would say, “How about $75?” The vendor would come back with, “We don’t really do that,” and he wouldn’t respond - just leave the line silent. Then the vendor might come back with, “Let’s see what we can do… maybe $95?” Still just silence. “I think I might be able to get it for you for $85.” And so on. The trick was to make the other guy anxious to fill the uncomfortable silence. For most of us, it’s uncomfortable for us, too, but I always thought it was funny.
A much easier one from personal experience was that I got a ticket it my irresponsible days. It was a hefty moving violation, plus I had expired plates and the total fine was $180! Well, I didn’t have $180, so I went to the courthouse to ask for a break. I just walked up to the counter and asked if I could spend a night in jail in lieu of the fine. (I was very broke, which was why I had expired plates in the first place.) I didn’t make any excuses or try to plead not guilty. I just asked for an alternative. The lady just said, “What if you went to traffic school for two hours and we cut the moving violation fine in half, give you six months to pay it, and waive the expired plates fine if they are current when you pay the other fine?” Of course, I jumped at the option.
I have been called: Ms. Frugality, Your Cheapness…etc. etc. Why, you may ask? Because I ask very nicely about (I call em) price re-adjustments all the time. If people say no, I drop it. However, that doen’t mean I wouldn’t ask again, …different time.
Hi:
Great post: I have heard of people bargaining at high-end stores
The managers of some national chains will sometimes cut you a deal if a garment is slightly stained or whatever.
Others that are owned by indiviudals will also provide additional discounts, especially if you plan to be a repeat customers.
Anyway great blog. I plan to return and I will provide a link to your site on my site (The Frugal Duchess) at http://www.Sharonhr.blogspot.com