Late last month I was I was checking out Nickel’s post about saving money on his DSL bill by just asking. I love asking for discounts. If you don’t do it regularly you’re cheating yourself and your family, IMO. I know it’s a sensitive topic and some people are simply “against” asking for discounts. They feel dirty or somehow like they’re cheating the “seller” by “playing hardball.”
I get it, but at the end of the day, the asking price for anything is just that – an asking price. If someone doesn’t want to give you a discount they won’t. Simple. The worst thing that can happen is the seller says no and you either pay more or shop somewhere else. Woopty-doo.
So when my wife and I started planning our new daughter’s Christening I made a promise to myself and an agreement with my wife. Get two or three quote for each service (there aren’t many – hall and DJ basically). Then we’ll talk about each of them and decide what the best option is. Make sure you tell each vendor that we’re just getting proposals now and we’ll compare them and get back to them.
We still haven’t gotten in touch with the DJ. There’s one we really like and have used before. We’ll probably use him again if he’s available (he is good and the cheapest by at least a few hundred bucks). But we were “new” to the venue. The venue we had for our son’s Christening is now out of business (no, not because we got too much of a discount!).
She looked at a bunch of places and narrowed it down to two finalists. The problem was that her favorite came in well above the second place venue. It was over $10 per plate more, which, with over 200 people is well over $2,000.00. The easy decision was to book the second-place finisher. But you all know where this story is going, don’t you? You can probably stop reading now (please don’t). 
The first thing we did was call the second-place finisher.
Wife: Any chance you can offer a discount if we pay cash or book this week?
Venue: We can offer a 10% discount if you pay cash, they answered.
(Take that 2% cash back credit card!) We were ready to book the second-place finisher, but then went to the first-place finisher to see if they would match it.
Wife: You’re our first choice. Our second choice is $10 cheaper, which is just too much of a savings to ignore. We will book today if you can match that price. You don’t need to beat it. Just match it, all inclusive, making sure none of the “savings” comes out of the gratuity for the employees.Venue: I understand, but will have to get back to you. Can I e-mail you later today?
Wife: Sure.
BAM! An hour later we get an e-mail thanking us for the opportunity to submit a competing proposal and confirming that they will match the price, lowering the per-person headcount by over $10 as long as we guaranteed 150 adults! Over $2,000 in our pocket right there! Just. By. Asking. For. A. Discount.
Pretty cool, huh? We’re going to drop that $2,000 right into a 529 for our beautiful girl. If you are shy or uncomfortable asking for a discount, try identifying a “goal” or “purpose” like that for the savings before you call. It makes it easier to get the nerve to ask for a discount. Say to yourself: I’m trying to save money for (my daughter’s 529, paying down my Amex, saving for a vacation, buying a new watch – whatever – be specific!). With that in the back of your mind, you’re more likely to get over the hump.
So next time you’re buying something, ask for a discount. You’d be surprised how often it can turn into HUGE money. Buy fixing only three money leaks and asking for a discount here, I’m $4,000 better off in 2012 and it’s only the first month!
What’s the most you’ve saved by asking for a discount?
Until next time, put your credit card down and slowly step away from the mall!
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Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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