Four Great Ways to Ask for a Discount

by Jennifer Openshaw, AOL Family Financial Editor



The meek may inherit the earth, but the bold will buy it back from them at a reduced price. Want to save money day in and day out on the things you buy routinely? Then speak up and ask for a better price. Remember, even small reductions in price can add up to large yearly savings. Rest assured, when you speak up and ask for a better price you aren’t rude, you are savvy.

At a loss for words? Here are four ways to broach the subject with any store or service anywhere, anytime:

1. “I’ve been a loyal customer for years. Are you offering any special deals for new customers that I should know about?”

It does seem more than a bit ironic that a new customer would get a better deal than someone who has been using the product or service for years. It happens all the time, though, in the world of magazine and newspaper subscriptions, health clubs, cable companies, and cell phone plans. So whenever you see a new deal offered from a company you already work with, call up and ask if they can offer it to you too.

Make some noise about how unhappy you are to be penalized for your loyalty, suggest that you might take your business elsewhere or cancel the service and don’t be surprised if you end up with something to make you feel better. Go ahead and ask this question of anyone you’ve been loyal to over the years: your phone company, your auto mechanic, or your children’s piano teacher.

2. “Is this the best you can do on the price?”

A perfect way to ease into getting a better deal, this simple question is a polite, but not pushy, way to ask for a discount. I use it all the time. It works best in a bazaar-type setting like an antiques and collectibles fair or a big outdoor craft event -- anyplace where you are dealing face to face with a decision maker.

I recently taught my intern a variation of this when she was placing an order for t-shirts for my new book, 'The Millionaire Zone.' I suggested she say something like this: “Come back to me with your best price.” And they promised it was! Oftentimes, this strategy will even save you in comparison shopping if you are familiar with the general prices of the item you’re considering buying.

Remember, ask the question, smile expectantly, and then wait. Resist the urge to talk until the other person has spoken. Successful negotiation requires silence.

3. “Does this item go on sale anytime soon?”

Few things in life are as annoying as making a big and important purchase only to learn that the very same thing went on sale for half price the next day. So always ask about planned sales before you pay full price for anything.

This tactic works especially well with clothing purchases. I use it if I’m buying an especially expensive item or something seasonal and we’re about half-way through the season (since many such items go on sale in the middle of their season, not the end). Some stores will go ahead and make the sale right away with the reduced sale price, others will let you put your items on hold until the sale begins.

I recall a couple months ago when my fiance and I were looking at new suits for him at Brooks Brothers. We liked one in particular as a replacement for a very old one in his closet. “Do you have a sale coming up?” we asked. The sales woman said, “Yes, this Monday.” We were elated. She committed to giving us the sales price right then. If a store won’t do either you can always put the item back and take your chances that it will still be there when the sale begins.

4. “Do you have any of these in the back that have been returned?”

Many major retailers, like Sears and Best Buy, routinely take returns from their customers and then are willing to re-sell them to someone else at a discount. This can be risky, since sometimes electronics items that don’t work are passed along to the next customer. But often, the return was simply due to a damaged box or a tiny scratch and you can net big savings. Ask about “open box” items -- returned merchandise that is slightly used -- and just make sure it is in good working order before you bring it home.

You can also ask to buy the floor model at a reduced price. This works well in electronics and office supply stores with televisions and laptops and appliances. Furniture stores will also sell floor models for less than full retail.

Buying slightly damaged goods at a discount can even work with clothing. If you find a shirt you like, but it has a minor spot, you can often negotiate a serious slash in price. Take it home clean it, and you’re good to go.

If you begin to add these four questions to your daily life, you will soon see a difference in how much you pay for things. The bottom line is this: You won’t get a better deal unless you ask for one. The worst thing that can happen is to hear a “no.” The best thing that can happen money on something you were going to buy anyway. Don’t be meek, be bold and ask away!