My new hat debuted at the polo game, far left.
I bought a smashing white hat with a wide brim – perfect for providing shade on the beach or at a summer party – at Banana Republic this weekend. The hat was already on sale by 25% off, seeing how it’s late July, but I didn’t stop at that.
I noticed two imperfections on the hat and asked for 10-20% off at the register. Under the brim, two pieces of woven material were flaking off. More importantly, a square inch section of the very top of hat was slightly smashed in. The hat had clearly been picked over by others, but given an extra discount I was a willing customer.
The cashier said she had to check with her manager upstairs. I sniffed the perfume rack.
“We should have no problem with that discount,” she said a minute later.
“Great, thank you,” I said.
“The only thing is, it’s final sale with the extra discount.”
“That’s fine. I was going to wear it out of the store anyway.”
With my 15% damaged discount on top of the 25% off sale, I saved 36% off the original price of the hat!
Got my discount! Got my hat! All set for the sun. 🙂
What happened the last time you asked for a discount? Start with these tips to haggle.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
YES! Score! It always pays to just ask. If you can find something wrong, the manager will almost always give you an additional discount. It’s great to have a story that illustrates this bargain tip.
You went to a polo game?! Wow! Was it exciting or boring?
I’m wondering why YOU suggested the 10-20% off. Wouldn’t it be better to first hear what the salesperson or manager offers? Then, if necessary, you could go into “haggling mode.” ??
Everywhere I go with my hubby, he asks for the “senior discount” even though neither of us is a senior yet! But you would be surprised at the number of people who laugh and then say “but we do take AAA” or some other discount. We also get a lot of discounts because we have our own business. I even got a 5% discount at the Apple store because of the business! Every penny counts right now. Don’t be afraid to ask.
@ Dawn ~ Claiming something dishonestly makes me uncomfortable.
We are not dishonest about it all! We really have a business and use the items for it. And hubby always says it jokingly.
Wouldn’t that be 40% off instead of 36%?? 15 +25=40.
Not 40%. Say the item was $10.00. 25% off $10.00=$7.50.
Then 15% is taken off the $7.50 taking the cost down to $6.37.
Discount totals 36%
@Bobbi The polo game was fun, but it’s a huge field and can be hard to see what’s going on. Mostly, it’s a social event and a chance to enjoy the beautiful summer weather. During half time everyone runs onto the field to play and talk. We also got to pet some of the polo ponies.
@Diane I find my best negotiations start when I suggest the discount I want. I aim high instead of letting the cashier go first and then try to raise their offer.
Just a little fyi, since Gap owns BR and Old Navy…They all have the same “rules” and they’ll pretty much always give you the damage discount when you ask no matter what the item is 🙂
Ah, well, I tried to haggle at Guitar Center recently, but unsuccessfully. I already had a 10% off coupon after joining the chain’s email list.
The same item ($399) was available at the Guitar Center an hour away, where my parents live, and where sales tax would have been $4 less.
I asked for the $4 since I was buying loval, to no avail. Alas! At least I tried…
@ Valley Girl ~ Interesting that Guitar Center wouldn’t budge for $4. So did you buy it there anyway? If so, that makes sense since gasoline to drive an hour away would eat most, if not all, your $4 savings.
@Diane – Yes, I bought the item local anyway; the sales clerk was not a manager. He just kind of shrugged/laughed about it. I was due to visit my parents anyhow, which is why I thought to check sales tax and inventory there. Maybe if savings were more like $50, I would have passed locally.
Interestingly enough, when the clerk brought my item to my car, he mentioned that Guitar Center will price match against other vendors, but I suppose that does not count tax…