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Ever hear "It doesn't hurt to ask"? Sandy Bruschi
in Springdale, Pennsylvania sure had, and with one question she recently
saved some money.
Sandy was ready to purchase new windows for her home. She had several estimates
done, and on the final one she got a price she liked. However, when she was
sitting at her kitchen table with the salesman reviewing the estimate she asked
him a question she always asked salespeople "Your estimate is close to the
number I had in mind. How can I get a
discount?". Sandy stated, "I used to be
embarrassed to ask for money off of a purchase. I just accepted the price that
was on a sticker or tag. However, when I saw a friend of mine routinely getting
price reductions just by asking for them I decided I had nothing to lose."
Sandy is not alone. According to a recent article on the
WTAE
website, Duquesne University marketing
professor Audrey Guskey says there is a great chance you can do the same. Guskey
said consumer surveys back up her haggling success and that she encourages more
shoppers to do so. "Only one in eight people haggle, so it's a very low number,
but about 50 percent of those haggling actually get what they're asking for.
They get a much better deal," said Guskey.
The article goes on to report that there are several secrets to successful
haggling. Doing your homework by comparing prices puts you in a better position
because you know what a retailer's competitor is charging. Also the article
states that persistence, politeness, and being prepared with information pays
off.
In Sandy's case, after asking for a discount, the salesman called his manager
and then responded that he was authorized to give her an additional 15% off if
she was ready to sign the contract and pay that day. That was a discount the
salesman had not mentioned earlier. In Sandy's case that meant an additional
$450.00 off the sale price the window company was already offering. "Why would I
hesitate to ask for a discount? The window company wants the business and I need
windows. Giving me that discount meant getting my business. We both win in the
end.", said Sandy.
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