alan-5
I used to take a store’s sticker price at face value. If the product I wanted was priced at $24.99 (or whatever), I’d pay it. No qualms, no questions asked, no problem — I’d make the purchase. Sticky price tags stuck on marked up merchandise led me to believe all retail prices were firm, fixed, and immovable. Guess what? I was wrong.
The art of snagging serious savings and uncovering hidden discounts isn’t hard to master — anyone can do it by being brave and asking for a better deal. By following these cost-cutting ways you too can get an instant discount on anything.
Source: http://smartmoneyjourney.com/
Many stores today will honor other store’s pricing through their “price matching guarantees”. But stores don’t always advertise the fact they may match the price offered at another store.
Some stores may only price match to other stores in their area.
Being a smart shopper is key. Do your homework before you walk into a store to buy a certain item. Search the internet for prices at all of the stores in your area before you go.
Even if you are already in a store and find something you would like to buy, pull out your smartphone and do a price search on that item.
You can show the salesperson a competitor’s advertisement listing their price right from your smartphone. In some stores, the salesperson has the authority to give the okay to price match. In other stores, the salesperson may have to ask the department manager.
That’s how I recently got a discount at Home Depot on shelving for our garage. I asked the salesperson if they would price match Lowe’s Home Improvement price that I found on my iPhone.
The salesperson verified the price and said yes! I scored a $10 savings just for asking. He even helped me load the heavy shelving onto my cart.
Stores will often offer discounts on show room floor models. This is especially true for appliances, kids’ toys and electronics.
A show room floor model might show some wear and tear, so be sure to inspect it closely.
But can be an easy way to say a few extra bucks and still get the full manufacturer warranty.
My son wanted a bike to take to college so that he could ride to classes instead of walking. He found one that he liked that happened to be the floor model.
This bike that was the show room floor model and thus already put together and ready to ride. It was late on a week day evening at the store and we asked the salesperson if we could buy the floor model. She agreed.
Typically, that bike is sold in a large box. You can pay the store an extra $50 for them to assemble the bike. Or you take it home and spend several hours putting it together.
By buying a bicycle that the floor model, we saved $50 on assembly just for asking.
Stores know that shoppers require new products be in excellent new condition. So when an item or its packaging is damaged to some degree, the store will most likely accept a lower price.
You may even find a product on the store’s shelves that has been damaged in some way but still has the retail price listed.
This is a real easy time to just ask the salesperson if you can purchase the item at a discount due to its condition.
When sales are slow, some businesses are likely to give you an off season discount for the item if you ask for it.
It may be the week after a big sales event and the store has a lot of inventory that didn’t sale.
It may be the off season for auto sales, landscapers, or HVAC companies.
During these times, it is easy to ask for a discount because you will probably get one.
It’s a fact of retail life that when you buy more than one of something, you often get a discount. However, you may be able to find additional discounts by talking to the store manager.
Many store managers are willing to give a discount when a person is buying more than one of an item. Whether you are buying potted plants, flowers, clothes and apparel, hotel room nights, always ask, all the store can say is no.
Don't stop with the first rejection. Be polite but continue to inquire about discount options the store or hotel can offer.
An end-of-season clearance sale is a good time to ask for additional discounts.
A store will sometimes offer a customer a discount on an item if it is the last of its type in stock. This not helps the store move the inventory, but it also provides a great price break.
Most of these ideas benefit both you and the seller. So if you find a situation like the ones mentioned above, decide on a fair price, ask politely, and you might get the discount just for asking.
An end-of-season clearance sale is a good time to ask for additional discounts.
A store will sometimes offer a customer a discount on an item if it is the last of its type in stock. This not helps the store move the inventory, but it also provides a great price break.
Most of these ideas benefit both you and the seller. So if you find a situation like the ones mentioned above, decide on a fair price, ask politely, and you might get the discount just for asking.
We've talked before about reducing monthly bills just by asking before, but it really is that easy. Call up your provider and tell them you're looking to cut down or cancel your services.
The key to you success is to contact the “Cancellation Department” directly. They have the authority to work with you to reduce your monthly bill.
Most times, they'll do everything in their power to retain your business and will cut your bill in the process.
Internet service is another service where you should always ask for discount. Many internet providers offer discounted rates for signing up for 12 months. Call several different internet service providers to find what the monthly costs are for each company.
Once you know how much each company is charging you will know what price to negotiate for. Call more than one internet service provider to see which one will give the lowest rate. You can always quote a competitor's rate when negotiating with a company.
If at first you can't get the deal you are seeking, hang up and call back later to get a different customer service representative.
Don't give up...keep at it until you get the deal you are seeking.
