to think if you ask for a discount in a shop and you are refused you shouldn't be an arse to the staff?

[workshy]

over the last few years there has been an increase in the number of people asking for discounts on things which is understandable however, if the item is perfect condition, the answer in large chain stores is no

but I never mind people asking

what I do mind though is people's reaction when you politely explain that you can't discount

'I spend a lot of money in your store'
'well it was on offer the other week'
'I can't believe your prices are so high'
'well it's cheaper down the road' (if they have it in stock we will match price but if it's out of stock then no, sorry)

people can get really arsey about it -I don't make the prices up off the top of my head, I get told what things cost and we aren't in the business of haggling

arrrggghhhhh

and breathe....

I haggle. I wouldn't dream of doing so to a small business or charity shop. However, I will haggle for large items. I got £100 off my cooker, it had been on the shop floor for ages, it was the last one, it had a small mark on the side, which I knew wouldn't show.

I politely ask for the manager, if refused, I don't strop, I'm not rude, I go to where I know I can get the item for a better price, without being horrid.

I am completely amazed by how some people behave in shops, I have some very specific stories that I couldnt post where people have had me ing

One thing that drives me nuts is people opening packages to see whats inside better, this I dont have a problem with its leaving the packaging and all the contents strewn about. Just bring it to me and I can sort it out.

I then get another customer bringing me the items and insisting on a discount as they have been opened - arrgghh!

I work in a hotel and it amazes me how many people want discounts or freebies. I was shocked to have someone say in an email "please can we have a sea view room and maybe a bottle of champagne as we have had a really difficult year and my wife has just lost a baby" this just infuriated me to use that as an excuse to pull at a few heart strings. (I had just had a mc so it probably grated more) I also had someone who when told they couldn't have a freebie went and slated us on trip advisor.

I must be sheltered, I never even realised this happens! Seems bloody cheeky to me..
I did unintentionally get a discount of a dress I bought a while ago though. I tried it on in the shop and noticed a small tear when I took it into the changing room so pointed it out to the assistant just in case they thought I'd done it. She spoke to her manager who came and said I could have a discount on the dress if I wanted to have it. I can sew, it was a lovely dress so I bought it. :)

I've worked as a customer services manager in a well known popular department store and you would not believe the names I and my team have been called if the customers have not got what they want either in price, returns or service.

I have had to ask customers leave the store, refuse to deal with them unless they stop swearing and threatening me or others sometimes with physical violence. They are then amazed when I either walk away refusing to deal with them any further or call security to escort them from the building. I did not go to work to be sworn at or threatened and there is no way I would ever put myself at risk.

One company where I worked stopped using name badges as they staff were being targeted by customers and the threats going even further!

I used to tell myself - when I was upset after an incidence - I only work in a shop and it is not like I am a Dr where I could have made a serious mistake and the customer would soon get over the fact they did not get their own way rather than telling a family something much worse!

I can't but help think that these are the over-induldged toddlers of yesteryear who always got their own way by throwing a tantrum.

Perhaps the best response would be : "That might have worked when you were two, but it just makes an adult look stupid."

i have only asked for a discount once. it was in oasis on a cardiac which was £25 down from £40 in the sale. I got an extra £5 off as it was the last one in my size and had a small tear. I was embarrassed doing it and would never dream of doing it as a matter of course on my day to day shopping.

cardigan that should be. blooming auto correct!!

A discount on a cardiac :)

i've said this on MN before , but often when my customers are refused, they start throwing stuff around / dropping on floor (charity shop). But when I worked in a more upmarket (think more luxury, new items) type of shop in a posh area, I still got verbal aggression every day.
As i put on MN recently on the entitlement thread..the woman who wanted discount because she wanted another bedroom built for her beloved DC. in her nearby manor house, no doubt
The thing is, there are money programmes on tv telling people to barter and it's a recession so they have a right, that kind of thing.
Fine they ask, and if they ask nicely, chances are I'll consider ( or did). But don't throw a strop if refused. And don't pick on old ladies and young shop girls who probably don't price the items. And could lose their job by giving in.
What annoyed me in the posh shop, was people asking for discount because they were 'buying in bulk'. Which was actually 4 or 5 items!!!! (and , say, about £3.99 an item)
I was giving discounts in my shop, but not so much now. For one, we now have mystery shoppers so if I was caught i would get sacked, two, it's a charity and i really shouldnt have let myself get bullied so much.

When I ran a charity shop a lot of the customers were rude. People haggled and stole pretty much every day. I'll never forget a well dressed very well spoken woman asking me if we had any cheaper duvet sets, because she really didn't want to spend more than a pound! She was holding one for £1.50!

As someone who is occasionally a mystery shopper, Lololizzy, I've never been asked to try and haggle someone down at the till. I can only imagine that appearing on the visit guidelines if a particular branch of a company was worried abt staff giving too many discounts. Mostly we are looking for what the staff offer us (ie the company is checking that you go through the hideous upselling) - can you see why I don't do it much anymore?!

I ask depending on. The shop and what I'm buying but always in a "I know I'm chancing my mitt" kind of a way. Sometimes I get somewhere with it sometimes I don't. Because ive asked in the way I have, if the answer's no, it's an easy position to back down from with a smile and "ah well if you don't ask you don't get" and no one's offended.

The abuse people face for doing their job is shocking. at people asking for discounts in charity shops.

My Dad always asks for a discount, often gets one, knocked down plants at garden centres, getting delivery thrown in, clothes shops etc He is shameless, but he is never rude.

Not a shop haggle but when we were selling our house it was being bought for cash by a young man who had a trust fund. He asked for a further reduction in the price as he didn't have enough money in his trust fund.

I loathe the idea of haggling. I just want to know what the best price is, on the price tag, and then pay that. Haven't got time to "haggle" every time I buy something!

My MIL always asks wherever we go, especially in charity shops. I hate it & usually wait outside! It makes me cringe. I keep haggling for boot sales and markets, and even then very rarely ask. I'm too scared they'll say no!

I'd never dream of asking in a shop, unless something was damaged.

I can't believe these stories! I might ask for a discount if an itempm was slightly damaged and I wanted it anyway, but would never think of asking for it for a cheaper price.

I hate haggling tho even on holiday when it's expected, I'd rather you just tell me the price and we can both get on with our day!

There is nothing wrong with politely asking for discounts for good reason, it does not make you a "cheap shameless mess"

I have always got discounts on electrical goods, especially when buying a few things together, by checking competitors prices and asking nicely. Many shops have policies on giving discounts when asked.
I've never argued and am always reasonable. But more fool you if you're paying 10-15% more than me for the same things.

YANBU
i also get it all the time. "fine, so buy it from amazon instead then"
(and wait 4 days when you could have it today)

when they're cheeky with it, or nice, then i'm more likely to - if they do it with that sense of "entitlement" then i say "no, sorry"

goods that have slight faults - i normally point them out, usually because i'm asking if they've got another one out the back. usually they haven't, and they'll knock 10% off for it.

i will do the same for a customer (provided i haven't seen them drop a book on the floor then come to me "this one's got a bend cover!")

I've asked for discounts in charity shops. When something is damaged eg Topshop blouse I was looking at yesterday, priced at £4.99 (would have been about £25 new I guess) which had a massive hole under the armpits. I can probably mend it but I am not going to gamble a fiver on it.

wow blouse should not have gone out then! should've gone to rags

But more fool you if you're paying 10-15% more than me for the same things.

This is why shops shouldn't give discounts. The person who is forward enough to press for a discount gets one, and (for example) the polite elderly gentleman who wouldn't dream of haggling, or the person who's too hassled/depressed/shy to ask, has to pay full price. Should just be one price for all.

I think negotiating is becoming more common though. I went to a boutique type dress shop which had a sale on, I liked two dresses manager offered a better discount if I got both I tried it on got another 5% taken off and a small alteration thrown in for free. Neither of them were cheap though even after discounting they were £150+ for dresses that may/ may not end up more heavily reduced as sale continues. She was happy, I was happy, don't really see a problem with it but had she said no I might of wandered on/ bought one dress but I'd of done it in a naice way.