Are you a savvy shopper?

“What’s my special price?”

“Since I bought so many items, what can you do for me?”

The above statements are very commonly heard when I am out shopping as consumers continue to feel the economic pinch and everyone wants to get the most for their money.

Are consumers being pushy or aggressive by asking for a reduced price on items that are not marked down?

Well think of it this way, prices of items are not always set in stone. Often the prices are set to include a markup to the original price by the retailer which allows them to make a profit.

So if they take a few dollars off the original price they will still make a profit and have a happy customer who will no doubt shop there again which results in increased business for the store.

Some customers ask about discounts in such a tentative manner it is quickly met with a resounding refusal.

The problem I think is that consumers forget that they are the reason that the retailer continues to earn a living. So consumers should be resolved to ask in an assertive manner the possibility of price flexibility.

Of course, I think that consumers have better success if they are shopping at small boutiques than larger stores. Usually the owner of those small stores are able to authorize additional discounts as they want to build their clientele. Larger stores tend to rigidly adhere to the price on the tag with little room for bargaining.

Some of the larger stores do recognize the need to encourage customers to spend more by giving them the illusion that they are saving money. For instance, MegaMart on Waterloo road in Kingston offered customers a discount book to be used at selected eateries after they spent $10,000 at their wholesale club.

This booklet offered customers savings between $500 -$1000 on selected items. Some of the restaurants included China Express and Chocolate Dreams. Customers had to spend up to between $3000 – $3500 at the selected restaurant  in order to qualify for the promotion which ends on January 30, 2015.

It is important for consumers to understand the power they wield and encourage  retailers to offer competitive prices!

What’s your take on the issue?

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: discounts