Speak Up to Get A Deal
April 29, 2008 By Tisha (Kulak) Tolar
There are several businesses that like to offer special deals. The only trick of it is - these special deals are on the down-low
and you won’t get them unless you ask for them. Businesses will be happy to oblige you with their special offers but take advantage of the fact that many consumers will keep their mouths shut rather than make an inquiry.
Here are some of the places you may find a deal kept under wraps:
Restaurants - Going out for a meal but not feeling particularly ravenous? Ask your waiter about the rules for ordering a lunch portion of a dinner entre. You will get the same great food, just a smaller portion, for a less expensive price.
Competitor’s Coupons - Many retail stores do not openly advertise they will accept competitor’s coupon codes unless you first ask about it. This allows you to save on the products you want in the stores you want to shop in. The worst thing that can happen is the store will tell you no. You can also check for online coupons for any given reailer. Often you’ll find deals that aren’t published in the store’s regular weekly ads.
Room Service - When staying at a hotel, ask the front desk if room service provides a menu for children. Many times the exact same meal listed on the kid’s menu is the same size as the adult portion, only for a cheaper price.
Supermarket Rewards - Many consumers opt to register for their local grocery store’s reward programs, which can frequently save money on specially advertised prices, only good for members. However, with busy lives, some people will forget to bring the membership card to the store with them each time they shop. Check with your local grocery’s customer service center for the rules of the membership. Some will accept the receipt from the purchases made without the rewards card and will reimburse you for the amount of the discounts you would have otherwise received. Supermarkets may also offer free merchandise if the price listed scans incorrectly but again you may have to speak up to get the full refund.
Online Only - Before going shopping, check out the company website for the stores you plan to visit. Some may offer special coupons or deals that can only be found online. You may not have to speak out to get these discounts but you do need to do a little bit of homework beforehand.
There are probably many more discounts available if you take the time to ask about them. This may be especially true for local mom and pop stores, who want to keep their loyal customers to keep coming back. For example, in a town close by, a local gas station offers a 20% discount on gasoline to customers who pay cash and mention the special deal. Everyone who does not directly ask for the discount will not receive it. Keep your eyes and ears open for some great deals and when you find them, make sure you open your mouth.
Posted in money, online savings, personal behavior, rip-offs, saving money, shopping
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April 29th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Same Club in town kept putting out bent and dent cans of baby formula, which we buy weekly from them.
Though i will end up joining costco anyway.
I finally got fed up and complained to the store manager and called headquarters saying that I dont pay a membership fee to have damaged good pushed on me.
My membership for next year is now free
After a horrible experience at a La Quinta, I got an email from the company asking how my stay was (they do this with each stay).
I told them hoenstly, not expecting anythig in return.
I now have a one night’s free stay there and got that night wiped off my bill (even though it was free to begin with via my credit card points
)
So, speak up!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:26 am
The grocery / drugstore member cards I have came with a key ring version. I’ve heard of some people looping all their shopping cards into a special key ring; but I have only four such cards, so I leave them on my regular key ring.
I’ve also noticed that at the stores I shop, if a customer is a member and doesn’t have their card (maybe it’s the spouse who normally shops at that store and has the card?), they can sometimes get their member discounts by giving the store clerk their phone number.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:43 am
In my first comment, I was refering to SAMS club, not SAME club
As for the keyring discounts, I hate them and refuse to sign up for one. It is so the store can sell demographic info to marketers and I can’t stand buying an item I dont really want just because it is marked down with the card, whereas the products I DO want are marked up.
Publix doesnt do this. No card needed, everything is at a fair price.
When people give their phone number if they dont have a card, it means they DO have a card but not with them. the phone number is a way to look up the card info.
What I do if I am stuck at one of these places and they ask if I have a card I say “Yes, but my wife has it” when they ask for a number, I give them 3 that dont work (home, my cell, her cell) and when they cant find it they either pull a generic card from under the counter to swipe or I just say “cant you just put in your phone number or your moms phone number for me” and smile real big.
May 4th, 2008 at 11:00 am
[...] Speak Up to Get A Deal @ American Consumer News [...]
June 27th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
[...] Paulson presents Speak Up to Get A Deal posted at American Consumer [...]
June 10th, 2009 at 8:01 am
great article-ive got to remember, every time to ask for a reduced price