Tip for Saving Money – Always Ask for a Discount

by Dana Joseph on October 26, 2009 · 4 comments

in Saving Money

Everybody loves to get a bargain. I collect coupons for my favorite stores, shop clearance aisles regularly, and keep an eye on sales ads all the time just to save a little money on my purchases. Each of these ideas, though, doesn’t take advantage of the easiest way to save while shopping. If you want to save money while shopping, sometimes all you need to do is ask.

Asking for a discount can be a little awkward at first. I know it took me quite a while to get comfortable with the idea. I always felt like I was being pushy or rude. That’s not true, though. I am always polite; I simply make a request and make my purchasing decisions based on the answer I get. Now that I’ve had some practice, I’m ready to share some tips with you.

Ask the right person. The person who is stocking the shelves at your favorite shop probably doesn’t have the authority to give you a discount on that pots and pans set you’re looking at. Instead, look for the store’s manager (or assistant manager) or someone working in the specific department that you’re shopping in. These are the people who are in a position to bargain with you.

Ask the store to price match
. When my husband and I were shopping for furniture for our living room, we wanted to patronize a local furniture store rather than the big name store in our city. The local store’s prices, however, were much higher than the prices in the big name store. We selected the furniture we wanted at the big name store, noted its price, and paid a visit to the local store. After explaining that we really wanted to shop there, but couldn’t afford to pay extra, the local shop was more than willing to match the big name store’s price.

Point out defects. Purchasing floor models may require that you put up with a few blemishes or defects. If you don’t mind them, though, you can get a pretty hefty discount. Ask the salesperson if you can take the floor sample off their hands at a discounted price.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Cassie October 26, 2009 at 10:58 pm

I always ask for a discount! Anywhere I go.. even at Walmart! Especially if there are defects.. if there is a tiny little scratch or something on an item, I will ask for a discount and they will almost always give at least 10% off!

2 David/Yourfinances101blog October 27, 2009 at 10:56 pm

Great point! It can never hurt! What’s the worst that can happen?? They can only say “no”.

3 Jesse October 28, 2009 at 3:13 pm

I had the opp to ask for a discount yesterday, they said no and were very rude about it, :(

4 marci @ onlinecolleges October 29, 2009 at 7:15 pm

I only ask for discounts when I feel it is warranted. Like floor models or if the product has a defect already. I do like to price match though. That can be a great way to save on gas money, if you’re willing to spend time scouring those ads for the best prices.

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