How To Get What You Want
By Kate Musgrove
July 31, 2015I've been with RedFlagDeals.com for more than seven years and over time, I've gotten pretty good at getting what I want from most retail situations. Here are five things I've found helpful:
- If you want something, ask for it. It's an incredibly basic tip, but one that can be easily overlooked. If you wish the price on an item was lower or you wish what you were buying came with some bonuses, ask for them. You may be surprised at how frequently it works. Recently I had to get some USD cheques from my bank. The standard policy is to charge $6 for each USD draft, a fee I would rather not pay. So I told the bank teller that I'd like her to waive the charges. And she did.
- Be polite. Even if you are dealing with a total mess of a situation (genuinely terrible service or a total lemon of a product) you're going to get more accomplished by being firm, informed and polite. Even if the business has completely fouled up their dealings with you, it's better to point that out in a reasonable and rational tone. (In all honesty, I'm great at yelling -- but I promise, it's more effective to be calm and polite.)
- Do your research. Calling your telecommunications provider and asking them to lop $30 off your bill right then and there probably won't be effective. But if you research what their competitors are offering, you may be able to get them to match the deal. And don't forget to research what your current provider are advertising as well. Pointing out that great deal they're offering to new customers might get them to adjust your plan to match.
- Call, call again. Sometimes you can't get what you want because you're asking the wrong person. Or sometimes, a store employee can't help you, but the store manager can. And if you're not having any luck with a customer service agent over the phone, call back later and speak to someone else. Or try another angle completely. A couple of years ago I booked plane tickets to Mexico through Orbitz. The flight was on WestJet. While I was there, the friend I was staying with asked if I wanted to stay a couple more days. I said yes, absolutely -- as long as I could get my ticket changed. The information I got with my booking said to call Orbitz in the event I needed to make any changes, so I did. They said nothing could be done. Then I called WestJet. They were able to move my return ticket three days and they only charged me the difference in fare -- which was less than $10!
- Don't be afraid to walk away. This can be a hard tip to adhere to if you're an impulse shopper, but if you're not getting the kind of deal you want, walk away. Sometimes your willingness to leave spurs an employee to make one last, low-as-they-go offer. Sometimes it doesn't, and that's okay too -- you can come back later and deal with someone else. In a broader sense, pointing out that you're willing to cancel your services with the company is often a huge motivator.
What's your best tip for negotiating?
Showing 3 Most Recent Comments
View allMy other tip is to bring or provide documentation. Notes from prior conversations or competitor's flyers or screen shots of the competitive prices. I think it shows you know what you are talking about and that you are a serious buyer. And if I do get supreme service or special consideration I always thank them personally with a follow up card or email. It is a really small and inexpensive. But it goes a long way when you want to remembered in a good way and to get another deal later.