There are dozens of articles, tutorials, books and course offered on business, negotiation and handling suppliers sold every year. There are even more written for the consumer explaining how to get a discount on their purchases. So it amazes me that so few businesses (or consumers) that I meet manage to negotiate a discount on their purchases.
They all tell me they know the “secrets” to negotiating a good deal:
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They know the prices.
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They know the value of their purchase.
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They identify the suppliers competitors.
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They prepare for their meetings with the supplier.
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They can show how they’ll be a good customer to have.
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They build rapport.
- They try to look savvy.
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They assure me they wouldn’t take the first offer…
Yet what’s the one thing they all don’t do?
They don’t ask for a discount.
Why, because they are embarrassed, because they feel they’re already getting a good price, or sometimes because they’ve overlooked this one simple “secret” while they focus on all the other clever “secrets”.
So next time you’re buying why not try the number one secret to getting a discount, it’s easy, just try one of these lines:
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Can you do me a discount?
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Is this your best price?
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It’s expensive.
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I need a better price.
- I liked like to, but your price is more than I can spend.
You’ll be amazed at how often simply asking for a discount will get you one.
Better yet, when they offer a discount, repeating the same line will often secure an even bigger discount.
This blog is about business opportunities and ideas that I spot, think of or hear about and think are useful and interesting. It is intended to provide ideas and inspriation for you to help you find the right business idea for you to then grow it into a successful business.
You are sure on target here. It’s amazing how often you can get a discount simply by asking, no matter how inarticulate you may be. A technique I find effective, when shopping for, say, hardware, is to ask if there are similar products with a better price. Sometimes I wind up with a better price and a better product. (Found your excellent blog through MiddleZoneMusings.)
Brad,
Thanks for stopping by. I’ve just had a look and your blog looks interesting too.
John
I usually approach this from the other direction - trying to reduce the number of discounts that sales people give because of the damage to margins.
In fact I recently blogged about it in my 11 common sales and selling mistakes.
Down there at number 9 is a little example of just how easy it can be to get discounts - or at least until they’ve spoken to me.
Paul,
Ah that’s the topic of a future post…
[...] John Crickett presents The Number One Secret To Negotiating A Discount posted at Business Opportunities And Ideas, saying, “Dozens of books, articles and websites share the secrets of negotiating a discount from your suppliers. Yet everyone forgets this one simple “secret”.” [...]