Do you get embarrassed when asking for a discount?
 

I feel so embarrassed asking for a discount when working with a contractor.
That's when I wish I had a man around again. I feel so akward having to
ask but I know it's the thing to do and most expect it.
I just asked, regarding a new sliding door in the LR and I'm sitting here
with a red face and sweating and that was over the phone. LOL
He will get back to me he said. He just replaced the window's in
my condo now I'm working on the door. I didn't ask for a discount
on the window's because two quotes were the same. However between
two contractors this one was $600.00 more for the door. I like these guys, they did an awsome job on the windorws and were so nice.
It took me from 9:00 am this morning to get the courage up to make the call. I know it's silly but it makes me feel so uncomfortable. Hopefully I get something off because that door is so expensive.
I'm glad that's over with now to wait for a new price. I'll be mortified
if I don't get anything off.

I'm bad about haggling for a deal. Once I asked for a discount because of a spot on a piece of clothing. I could tell that it was something that would most likely wash off and if it didn't, it was in a place that wouldn't be noticeable. Still, I felt like I was asking for a freebie. I also remember going to Mexico where you haggle over everything when you're shopping and I just can't do it.... made my husband do it. And by the way, I'm not necessarily the shy type. I do speak my mind when needed.... just can't haggle a deal. ;)

Good luck on your discount!

I almost always ask for discount on most things I buy including services. Sometimes "half jokingly" but it's only a joke if they say no. :p I am not joking about getting a better deal where and when I can especially for larger ticketed items like televisions when they've already been marked down, buying a car, even buying toys and clothes and cellular phones and services. :D I'd definitely not hesitate to ask a contractor for a discount especially since you are a repeat customer. :)

Sometimes I get answers like, I can give you another 5% off or another 10% off only. I even ask if they can share their employee discount or friends & family discount with me. We can be instant friends. ;)

Carol, I know what you mean. I generally tell whom ever I am working with --

I am going to have this done and I want your rock bottom price 'cause I don't play games. I am getting prices from other contractors as well. I will go with whom ever I feel has the best overall deal - quality+price.

I buy cars the same way :). It is amazing how much time and effort you can eliminate when the person you are dealing with knows you are serious and knows you are working with others as well. Good luck!!!!!

I love to negotiate when I buy furnitures, hired contractors and other big purchase. I am a real estate agent so I am use to negotiate ... love it .;)

Just go for it and if they look mad or something, put a big smile on your face and
use a line like... " oh well, nothing to loose trying".

You'll be fine.

You can do it.

GO GIRL!!! :thumbup:

:goodpost:

I own a gift shop & my minimum workweek is 50hrs. There is so much overhead...you'd be surprised. I work hard at finding unique products & I price them fairly so I am completely taken aback when someone asks me for a discount. No I take that back, I'm insulted.

Well, see... that's kinda what I think too. I don't want to insult anyone by asking for a discount but I do think that the type of merchandise you sell vs. a car or some other big purchase are totally different things. I probably wouldn't dream of asking you for a discount but would for a car or a new roof or something.

You go girl's. Good for you. I know working with contractor's it's expected
but I find it so difficult to do. Well I did it and he just got back to me.
He said the manufacturer got back to him sooner than he expected and
lowered his price down $250.00. OMG I did it. I was shaking as he spoke to
me. I can't believe it. LOL It works:p

I need a backbone;)

I want to add that I also don't negotiated on smaller things. Only on larger/expensive items/services.

Sometimes, it is just not appropriate to ask for discount.

I've never asked for a "discount" from a contractor, on other things I have, normally a contractor tries to give you his lowest price, with a little wiggle room. I didn't even know contractors "expected" it, car dealers yes, contractors no. However, I wouldn't be afraid to ask a contractor for a better price. You can be honest and say you have been given a lower bid, and were wondering if he could match it? He'll either say "yes" "no" or give you reasons, why his bid is higher. This can be really important information, such as the actual material he's buying is a higher quality, and why in this particular case that might be important. He might also point out things that are including in his bid, that aren't included in the other bid, all touch up work, painting, etc. By communicating with him in this way, you will learn more about him, and his work ethic. After doing this, I found what sounded like the highest bid, turned out to be the lowest bid, when I again consulted the previous low bidder because certain things weren't included. Be sure to get a completion date in writing, with monetary fines included for each day work goes unfinished over due date, I think no lower than 10% for each day, even at that rate they could leave you hanging for 100 days. :D Many contractors start the job and leave you hanging for months while they're bidding on new jobs.

When I started this project I got two bids. I live in a condo so the
windows have to be a certain window and these two contrators
have been putting them in. The window's came out the same however
the door was 600.00 difference in price. I wanted to go with the
same guys who put the window's in but their door was more expensive
but I had to go with them because the other guy with the cheaper door
can't get me white inside like the window's only brown which is the
original color of the grids inside and out. Now with new windows we
can have white inside but brown has to be on the exterior. So I really
had no choice and had to go with the more expensive door. I am sure
it is a much better quality but wanted to try and get the price down.
I'm not good at things like this. I get too embarrased. Thank heavens
it was over the phone because if he could have seen my red face he
would have laughed at me. Well anyhow it worked but I still feel
embarrassed. I applaud any of you who can handle these situations
with ease because it's what men do without a thought.

You shouldn't feel bad about it at all!!! I work for the corporate headquarters of a paint company, and people ask for discounts all the time. When you have a huge project, it never hurts to ask!!!

:cheer: Yay! See, you did it!!!
I'm like you Carol...literally become a nervous jittery wreck! Thank God my DH doesn't mind doing the wheeling and dealing....but I think it's great to take steps, even small steps toward assertiveness.

I like this .... I think I'm going to make this my mantra!!

Well, I'm not so sure this is all that easy for men, I've known some who would never dream of asking for a lower price, and only learn the art of negotiating when they can easily afford to pay full price. When it becomes more of a game than a necessity, people seem to enjoy it more and are better at it. Contractors are said to give better prices to people they think have money because they are in hopes of future work or referrals. Some women think that sob stories help, but according to things that I've read, contractors, won't give a break in price even if the feel sorry for you, and if they say they feel sorry for you, and will give you a better deal, run the other way. :D

I can hardly offer less at a garage sale, I am terrible!

I'm really bad at asking for discounts - I hate it.

Good for you! You got your discount. My mother always said, "you can only be told no". So I keep that in the back of my mind whenever I ask for a discount. I usually research things to death before committing to purchasing so I have a price in mind that I will pay. I also tell the compaines that I am getting other bids for the work. A couple of years ago we put in a closet system and got additional monies off the job by asking! And this is for larger ticket items. If something in the stores have some damage that I think I can repair, I will ask for a discount.

I totally agree. Hopefully this will be the only time I have to ask.:p
Yes it felt good getting a discount, I wish it felt just as good to
ask for one. I envy those who are comfortable with asking.:thumbup:
I know you have nothing to lose by asking but the awkwardness
and embarrassment of doing so makes me so uncomfortable.
I feel so relieved now that it's over.:D

Glad you got your discount! From what I have seen a woman will ask you to go lower much quicker than a man.

Angie

Heck no... i barely make ends meet sometimes, any discount I can get I will ask for. In the past I was too afraid too ask, then I went to a couple islands on trips and over there everyone asks for discounts, noone pays full price, so I started haggling and lo-and-behold, I almost always got the price I was willing to pay ... rule of thumb .. if its not on a tag (price) then its up for negotiation! :)