10 ways to get a discount
We’re all looking for ways to make our money go further, but how can you spend less money and get the same amount of stuff? Here are 10 top tips on getting a discount.
1) Shop more wisely
Most of us go to the supermarket a couple of times a week – often to get the one thing we forgot to get last time! But take this as an opportunity to shop around a bit. Have a look through the supermarket leaflets that come through your door or check an online price comparison site to see where’s cheapest for what you normally buy. Then do your ‘weekly shop’ in a couple of trips to different places.
2) Get voucher-hunting
The interweb is full of vouchers for all kinds of freebies, 2-for-1 deals and percent discounts. Martin the Money Saving Expert usually has a list – and a free email newsletter to keep you updated on the latest ones.
3) Be nice
Shop and customer service workers get messed around by grumpy customers all day long. You increase your odds of a discount or freebie extras ten-fold if you’re nice to the person who is serving you. It’s a very simple strategy that works in restaurants, at the check-outs, just about anywhere. And if you’re nice, they won’t mind if you ask for a discount. Trust me, I did a stint in customer service and if you were nice to me, I was nice back.
4) Be willing to ask
You don’t ask; you don’t get – it’s that simple. If you pick up something that’s slightly damaged (but repairable) or the box is crushed, ask if there’s any chance of a discount. In some supermarkets cashiers have discretionary discount vouchers they can use – I got 50p off breakfast cereal the other week because the box was bashed. If buying large quantities ask for the ‘bulk discount rate’. The simplest way to do this is to say ‘Do I qualify for a discount as I’m buying so many?’ Often people will say ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
5) Be a bit cheeky
A female friend of mine always asks if there is a ‘pretty face discount’ and smiles sweetly at male cashiers. The number of times she’s had some kind of reduction is testament to the power of the approach.
6) Be honest
“I really was hoping to spend less than that.” “I’m not sure it’s worth the money.” “Hmmm, that’s a bit out of my price-range.” “Okay, I’ll have a look around and see if this is the best deal.” These are all good phrases to use in a negotiation with a sales person. If they think they’ll lose the sale, they may lower their prices or throw in some extra product or offer. Any service – e.g. phone or utility – will want to keep you on the phone, and the more it sounds like you’ll hang up, the more they may offer you.
7) Be guarded
If a sales person knows you really want a particular item, they may call your bluff if you say you’ll think about it. So, it’s worth keeping your desire for the item hidden. Or you can say something like “I really want this, but I don’t want to pay that much for it.” This invites them to make the sale definite by reducing the price without playing too many games.
8) Discuss deficient products or service
Most people hate complaining about a product or service. We usually let things go, even if we’ve been over-charged. But complaining is the best way to get things for free – if your meal in a restaurant is disappointing, then tell your waitress. You may get a free dessert, or the price of the meal taken off your bill.
9) Invite them to make up for mistakes
The best way to complain is to explain the problem, how it made you feel, and ask if they can do something to make the situation better. Recently an online flower delivery service messed up for me and my wife. She emailed them and explained how the non-delivery of flowers to a relative made us look bad. Was there any way they could fix this? She got an apologetic email and a voucher code for a free delivery equal in value to the first one.
10) Practice makes perfect
The best way to make sure you get a discount is to keep trying. The more often you shop smart, ask for discounts, raise issues, and seek to negotiate with people the better you will become at it. Begin today, and turn it into a habit that will save you tons of cash in the long run.
Written by Jon Matthias.
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