My Experiment: Asking for a Better Deal

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I once walked into a strange bar and casually said to the bartender, "I'd like a vodka martini on the house." He gave me one and didn't charge me for it. !!

Mike Kupietz of CA 12:18AM March 08, 2009

When I was getting married some 11 years ago, I got very good at asking for discounts.
Eventually, I would walk into stores, and say "I am getting married. Is there anything you can do for me?"
I usually got 10% off.
As every couple who has paid for their own wedding, we are now experts at how to put on a "country-club" style wedding at (almost) a backyard potluck price.
I asked one wedding venue salesperson about discounts, to which she replied "our prices are our prices," but called me back within the week, and offered 20% off.
We also used individual decorated cakes as centerpieces, saving about $1,000.00 in flower costs. My husband's relatives still talk about those cakes at every big family get-togethers. We used one individual cake for our cake-cutting ceremony.
The trick is to spend money on things that make a great party : open bar, good food, and a great band. Flowers do not really add anything to a guest's enjoyment.

Hope Heyman of NY 5:24PM March 04, 2009

I have also received discounts just for asking. Most recently, I received a 30% discount on teeth bleaching from my dentist just by asking. Since I was already spending approximately $1,500 on all of the services I was having done, I thought "why not ask?" and the answer was yes.
One area that people don't take advantage of is in asking for discounts in exchange for paying in full up-front. This doesn't just apply to car insurance; it also applies to rent (I worked at a college, and a lot of students I advised paid for their rent by the semester; when I told them to request a discount for doing so, they came back and told me they were given the discounts).
I personally have received discounts for paying up-front for services that typically require insurance, then sending the receipts to my insurance company for reimbursement. Most medical care providers would rather give a discount in exchange for payment the day of service instead of waiting 45+ days for billing and processing of payments. This typically works ONLY if you plan to max out your benefits. I.e. if you have a $2,000 limit on braces, and they cost $4,000, you come out of pocket $2,000. If you pay up front for a discount of $300, the braces cost $3,700, your insurance reimburses you $2,000, you come out of pocket $1,700. This saves you $300.
I even asked for a discount for paying for a settee up-front (from a national furniture store). Since it was a custom piece, they typically charge 50% up front and 50% once the product is shipped (which typically takes a minimum of 5 weeks). By getting the payment up front, they don't have to spend $$ hunting down delinquent customers, have earlier access to the money, etc.
Discounts are also available with car repairs and other services. And of course reducing credit card interest rates (just had my Visa interest rate lowered to a fixed rate of 9.9%).
Just make sure you're not crossing the line between being a good bargainer and being obnoxious.

A. White of GA 3:52PM July 09, 2008

This weekend my colleague purchased a pair of skiing glasses in a store. Before paying up, on a whim he asked the salesman about the discount. What discount? The salesman asked, and my colleague replied "the one just for me!". He got 20% off.
Who would have thought :D

Line of ID 11:02PM February 23, 2008

Ask and you shall receive! How many deals do we pass up every day just because we don't ask? Thanks for the advise!

Colonel Cash of NY 10:02AM February 18, 2008

That is a great point about credit cards- it always pays to ask with them. I've had success asking for late fees on credit cards to be waived, as well.

Kimberly Palmer of 10:07AM February 13, 2008

This is the only reason my credit card accounts are still open. I keep periodically calling and asking for a lower rate and they keep saying yes.
I agree with Larry C. persistence not only pays off, the practice makes asking easier. Of course you have to remember to ask :-)

Cranky_Old_Batt of CA 10:28PM February 12, 2008

Fifteen years I was in a discussion with a judge when she told me one of the biggest heartaches of her job. She said young kids making a stupid first mistake in life came before her and she would have to find them guilty and therefore a mark would go on their record. She could not tell them to ask for a PRAYER FOR JUDGMENT which would keep the charge off their record. From that day I have always ASK FOR IT. The worst thing that can happen is a NO. One more thought........A good salesman receives five (5) NOs before he gives up on a sale. Be persistant is the lesson there.

Larry C. of NC 12:28PM February 12, 2008

My brother-in-law is not a wealthy man; nevertheless, he lavishes jewelry on his wife like there's no tomorrow, to the tune of thousands of dollars every year, all purchased from a local jewelry store. Because of his relationship with the owners, he receives major discounts, his most recent being a ring marked $5000 and sold for $1250 ($250 over the owners' price).
Free markets are wonderful things, and just because I don't like something doesn't mean I'm going to push for a change: but knowing about this avaricious profiteering makes me that much more appreciative of my lovely wife, who prefers gemstones, not diamonds.

Jim of FL 8:44AM February 12, 2008