A few weeks ago I was buying running shoes at a runner’s store – the kind where the salesperson watches your stride and recommends shoes based on how your ankles bend – when I got a discount even though I had no negotiating chips.
- I told the salesperson I badly needed new shoes
- I said out loud how much I liked the pair he recommended
- I told him I had previously paid full price for shoes at another running store
Mentally I had decided to buy the shoes when I asked if he had any promotions going on. I was committed, but why not ask anyway? The store wasn’t exactly busy. The salesman immediately replied he could knock 10 percent off. Wow!
It was almost too easy. I had to wonder if the economy played a role.
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October 9th, 2009 at 10:43 am
In addition to just ASKING for a discount, I learned a little about haggling a couple years ago. Now I may be bombarded for this, because it’s not entirely “honest”, at least to the government…but, I bought a GREAT couch (at a designer furniture store on Abbot Kinney, no less!) that was on sale–and to close the deal, I offered the guy cash in exchange for not charging me tax. I pulled a similar great deal a couple months later on a queen pillowtop mattress that I’m still glad I bought, 2 years later. I understand that tax is a touchy subject, but it worked for me, and I would most definitely do it again!
October 9th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Don’t forget your Team in Training discounts. I bought new running shoes a few weeks ago and because I am a TNT alumni I got 10% off from road runner.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I’ll ask for a discount on services more often than on tangible merchandise. And at work, I don’t hesitate to ask for price reductions from vendors.
As far as the “cash for no tax” – I have ever asked for a discount of 10% for paying cash. It’s still up to the vendor to pay tax on all sales, and this way you’re not implying or insinuating that s/he would do something improper. I prefer to think of it as reducing the seller’s credit card transaction fees.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I OCCASIONALLY GET UP MY COURAGE AND ASK FOR DEALS BUT I’M ALWAYS TURNED DOWN. WHAT’S YOUR MAGIC?
October 9th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Recently I went to buy a pair of walking shoes (I never knew there was a difference, but I can now tell you there IS a difference) advertised for $19. The store was out of that particular shoe in my size. The salesclerk brought out a second, similar style and told me they’d been on sale the previous week for $19.99 and that he would honor that price if I liked them enough to buy them.
Sold!
The shoes are comfortable and my foot pain is improving. Since they would otherwise have cost $49.99, I am happy with my unasked-for discount — and that young man has guaranteed himself my return business.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Don’t forget your Triple A membershsip discounts, too! They cover 100′s of places you shop at daily. For a complete list of places that offer discounts, visit their website.