Comments on: Ten Ways to Ask for a Lower Price or a Better Deal http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/ Money Tips for a Better Life Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:59:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Mike http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-189052 Mike Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:42:00 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-189052 Your last tip may be the best. I read that only 1 in 8 shoppers are "brave" enough to ask for a discount and out of the ones that do half of them will get it! Your last tip may be the best. I read that only 1 in 8 shoppers are “brave” enough to ask for a discount and out of the ones that do half of them will get it!

]]> By: Asking for an Extra Discount - NYTimes.com http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-186640 Asking for an Extra Discount - NYTimes.com Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:16:13 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-186640 [...] Others recommend keeping your approach light and mirroring the way the sales person acts as well as mentioning the competition or your loyalty to the seller and asking lots of questions before asking for the [...] [...] Others recommend keeping your approach light and mirroring the way the sales person acts as well as mentioning the competition or your loyalty to the seller and asking lots of questions before asking for the [...]

]]> By: How 5 Minutes Can Save You $120 | Money Smart Life http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-185923 How 5 Minutes Can Save You $120 | Money Smart Life Fri, 12 Nov 2010 04:52:11 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-185923 [...] the Right Technique I opted for the “Best Buds” approach (how to ask for a lower price) with the customer service rep and it worked nicely. When I called Comcast for a better deal six [...] [...] the Right Technique I opted for the “Best Buds” approach (how to ask for a lower price) with the customer service rep and it worked nicely. When I called Comcast for a better deal six [...]

]]> By: Greg http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-173612 Greg Sun, 04 Apr 2010 17:40:20 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-173612 Once upon a time air travel was a great deal simpler than it is today. You called one of a few airlines that flew from your airport, the agent would tell you what flights were available for a given time, and you booked the one you wanted. Airports were always bustling places, especially during the holidays, but as long as you gave yourself adequate time, the process was usually the same. You would check your bags, go through the x-ray machine, get your boarding pass, and wait patiently at the appropriate gate. Once you got on the plane you ate the snack or meal that came with your flight and watched a movie. In recent years travel by plane has become significantly more complicated. There are so many different configurations for flights and types of fares. Dire economic circumstances have caused airlines to raise rates and charge extra fees for everything from baggage to blankets. There are complex rules about what you can and cannot carry in your luggage. It can be very difficult to determine whether you are getting the best deal or the best services when you buy an airline ticket. The internet makes the navigation of airlines, airports, and flight itineraries easier, but, even so, be prepared to do some research if you want to find a flight at the best price. Here is something up front that might save you time and money right off the bat. If you are traveling within the United States mainland, always look at Southwest Airlines first. Southwest is almost always the best deal you will find. However, Southwest itineraries do not appear on the major travel websites, so always go directly to the airline's website for information. Plug in your travel plans, and you will get a list of all the flights that are available. Southwest typically charges more reasonable prices than other airlines, and there are no hidden fees. The price you see is the price you get although tax and the government fee that is attached to all flights does apply. For lower prices than you can probably get anywhere else look at the "web only" fares, but keep in mind that these fares are not refundable. Once upon a time air travel was a great deal simpler than it is today. You called one of a few airlines that flew from your airport, the agent would tell you what flights were available for a given time, and you booked the one you wanted. Airports were always bustling places, especially during the holidays, but as long as you gave yourself adequate time, the process was usually the same. You would check your bags, go through the x-ray machine, get your boarding pass, and wait patiently at the appropriate gate. Once you got on the plane you ate the snack or meal that came with your flight and watched a movie.

In recent years travel by plane has become significantly more complicated. There are so many different configurations for flights and types of fares. Dire economic circumstances have caused airlines to raise rates and charge extra fees for everything from baggage to blankets. There are complex rules about what you can and cannot carry in your luggage. It can be very difficult to determine whether you are getting the best deal or the best services when you buy an airline ticket. The internet makes the navigation of airlines, airports, and flight itineraries easier, but, even so, be prepared to do some research if you want to find a flight at the best price.

Here is something up front that might save you time and money right off the bat. If you are traveling within the United States mainland, always look at Southwest Airlines first. Southwest is almost always the best deal you will find. However, Southwest itineraries do not appear on the major travel websites, so always go directly to the airline’s website for information. Plug in your travel plans, and you will get a list of all the flights that are available. Southwest typically charges more reasonable prices than other airlines, and there are no hidden fees. The price you see is the price you get although tax and the government fee that is attached to all flights does apply. For lower prices than you can probably get anywhere else look at the “web only” fares, but keep in mind that these fares are not refundable.

]]> By: Ben http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-169915 Ben Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:56:45 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-169915 @RunningNurse, I see your point. The main thing to remember is that tactics will have different levels of effectiveness based on what it is you're buying. So here's a question for you. What is the best way for someone to negotiate a better deal on cosmetic surgery? I'm sure it's not cheap and if customers are paying out of pocket they could probably use a few tips on how to save some money. @RunningNurse, I see your point. The main thing to remember is that tactics will have different levels of effectiveness based on what it is you’re buying. So here’s a question for you.

What is the best way for someone to negotiate a better deal on cosmetic surgery? I’m sure it’s not cheap and if customers are paying out of pocket they could probably use a few tips on how to save some money.

]]> By: TheRunningNurse http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-169912 TheRunningNurse Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:22:32 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-169912 This is the worst article of all time. I work in cosmetic surgery (ie, patients pay out of pocket. If a patient were to come into our office and "SCOWL" at one of our employees or the "Question Blitzkreig", they would NOT get a discount and would pay full price. This is seen in our business as a "problem patient" which is usually the type of patient that is quickest to get an attorney if there is a complication. The same would go for a patient who would "lose their cool" and throw down a pen or another object. Like is too short to deal with such poor behavior and it isn't fair to our other patients to be subjected to such rudeness. Comparative shopping is fine, but as I tell our patients, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. They are having SURGERY and not buying a used car. This is the worst article of all time. I work in cosmetic surgery (ie, patients pay out of pocket. If a patient were to come into our office and “SCOWL” at one of our employees or the “Question Blitzkreig”, they would NOT get a discount and would pay full price. This is seen in our business as a “problem patient” which is usually the type of patient that is quickest to get an attorney if there is a complication. The same would go for a patient who would “lose their cool” and throw down a pen or another object. Like is too short to deal with such poor behavior and it isn’t fair to our other patients to be subjected to such rudeness.

Comparative shopping is fine, but as I tell our patients, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. They are having SURGERY and not buying a used car.

]]> By: lodonnabhair http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-144658 lodonnabhair Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:50:43 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-144658 As a retail clerk myself, I can tell you that yelling at a clerk, making things personal, and pitching fits are a sure-fire way to ensure that you DO NOT get any discounts or breaks. We're more willing to do whatever we can for nice, friendly people (within reason - if it can get us fired, it doesn't matter how nice you are), whereas those who treat us poorly get nothing, or worse, get additional fees tacked on. As a retail clerk myself, I can tell you that yelling at a clerk, making things personal, and pitching fits are a sure-fire way to ensure that you DO NOT get any discounts or breaks. We’re more willing to do whatever we can for nice, friendly people (within reason – if it can get us fired, it doesn’t matter how nice you are), whereas those who treat us poorly get nothing, or worse, get additional fees tacked on.

]]> By: eFIPO.com » 0% Balance Transfers Are Dangerous http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-82052 eFIPO.com » 0% Balance Transfers Are Dangerous Thu, 08 May 2008 03:04:50 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-82052 [...] on taxes. You can certainly be $400 dollars richer by cutting out random purchases for six months. Shop online for things you buy at a store and learn how to bargain on pricing! The gain is not substantial enough for me [...] [...] on taxes. You can certainly be $400 dollars richer by cutting out random purchases for six months. Shop online for things you buy at a store and learn how to bargain on pricing! The gain is not substantial enough for me [...]

]]> By: bill http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-12127 bill Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:16:11 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-12127 I think the best way is to be diplomatic and keeping your cool along with being persistent to get what you want. If you start spouting off and insult the clerk, they will digg their heels in and be less cooperative. I think the best way is to be diplomatic and keeping your cool along with being persistent to get what you want. If you start spouting off and insult the clerk, they will digg their heels in and be less cooperative.

]]> By: Money Smart Life » Always Ask for a Discount http://moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/comment-page-1/#comment-2934 Money Smart Life » Always Ask for a Discount Sat, 07 Apr 2007 13:35:26 +0000 http://www.moneysmartlife.com/ten-ways-to-ask-for-a-lower-price-or-a-better-deal/#comment-2934 [...] A recent tip from an anonymous hotel manager is a good addendum to my post Ten Ways to Ask for a Lower Price or a Better Deal. The hotel discount post recommends another way to save. Always ask for a business discount. You may not have a business, but you work for one–and even if you don’t, how would I know? The worst that will happen is someone will say no. [...] [...] A recent tip from an anonymous hotel manager is a good addendum to my post Ten Ways to Ask for a Lower Price or a Better Deal. The hotel discount post recommends another way to save. Always ask for a business discount. You may not have a business, but you work for one–and even if you don’t, how would I know? The worst that will happen is someone will say no. [...]

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