Am I a CF to go to the takeaway and ask for a discount?

[Clape]

So I’m trying to lose weight. Have done quite well, 23 pounds down. One of my most favourite meals is chicken marinated in tandoori spices cooked on the bbq with a lovely salad. I am OBSESSED with eating this salad with a sauce that comes from our local Lebanese takeaway. It cost £4 for a tiny little pot. Would I be really cheeky to go into the shop and ask if they can do be a much larger container for a fair amount. It’s a tomato based sauce so not expensive to produce. To get the amount I would need we’re talking it costing maybe three figures. I’m not joking. That’s how small the pots are. I don’t think there’s any harm in asking?

Obviously I don’t want to be rude or offensive either. If it wasn’t SO expensive of course the idea of haggling would not even enter my mind and I would just pay the going rate

Can't you find a recipe and make your own?

I’ve tried a couple of times and they have been foul. The sauce genuinely makes me feel like I’m getting a takeaway.

YANBU to ask.
Equally they WNBU to refuse.

Assuming the sauce is freshly made on site, I would consider the time it might take to make it. The wages paid for someone to make it, and of course, the premium we pay for the convenience of having something made for us.

Have you looked to see if you can find the sauce recipe on an Internet site?

u can only ask. I’m intrigued as to what kind of sauce it is.
many years ago I asked McDonalds if I could just get a tub of tartare sauce on the side. They refused 🤣 saying they aren’t allowed to sell the sauce by itself

Instead of asking for a discount as such, you could just ask them how much it would cost for a salad the size you want!

I would approach it as "hi, I would like to buy 500ml (or whatever) of this sauce from you, obviously that's not on your menu! How much would it be?" And then negotiate from there, rather than asking for it directly as a discount.

Is it shatta? The chilli one? Because that's pretty faffy to do and involves lactic fermentation. You can buy jars of it at specialist suppliers online, and Ottolenghi sell it as well.

This, rather than framing it as wanting a discount - they’re not going to be very motivated towards giving a discount to somebody who is saying they have no intention of being a customer once they’ve got the sauce they need to make food at home. If they say no, ask what it is - you can often find them at cash and carries which cater for restaurants.

The margins in food service are usually incredibly tight, restaurants often use added extras like sauces and garnishes as a way of creating a profit on a meal, which they won’t be getting if they sell you a cheap sauce at cost.

Ask for a price for a double or treble size portion - you might get a small discount because you only need one container. Alternatively, just buy the sauce if you can find a good recipe for the chicken and make your own salad.

Does it have olive oil or other expensive ingrediants? I too wouldn't go in asking for a discount, but instead ask how much would a 250ml or whatever tub cost?

If you are buying a massive amount, I'd also be worried how long it would keep?

I certainly wouldn't frame it as a discount. I'd ask if it were possible to buy a larger amount of this sauce from them and take it from there, bearing in mind they may simply refuse, especially if it's clear you're not going to be darkening their door again!

Is it banandunah harrah? Lots of recipes available online. I think your most realistic bet is to try to make it yourself. I've managed to replicate my local Lebanese's tahini sauce (which has ingredients other than tahini paste.)

Can’t you ask the takeaway for their recipe?

Would it last long enough for you to use it if you bought a massive portion? It may not have a long shelf life

Then maybe that is why the cost is £4. I do think you are being rude asking for a large pot unless you are prepared to pay the equivalent price

I think it's rude because it doesn't consider their perspective. "Do me a deal on your specialty product that will allow me to buy less from you..."

I don’t understand your request at all. If you like it then treat yourself to their chicken with the salad and sauce once or twice a month. It doesn’t sound like an unhealthy or calorie laden meal to me.

It’s £23 a pop. I would eat after more salads and much more happily with the sauce.

I still don’t get it. Takeaways are expensive. That’s why you have them once or twice a month as a treat. There are lots of other nice dressings for salads.

No harm in asking if they'd do a larger quantity for a more reasonable bulk price - they may say no of course but then again they may not.

My local pizza place gives me pizza dough sometimes, I have never asked for it to be free and I have offered money but he waves me away each time! I do buy pizza and sides from there sometimes too but we use the dough to make our own flatbreads/paninis.

If they charge a lot because its in small pots and costs more to portion out into many small pots, and they are making a bulk batch anyway, they may say yes. If they only make a tiny amount because the ingredients, even in bulk, are still expensive, then they may say no.

Certainly no harm in asking. Our local Indian allow me to buy the curry sauce that comes with a meal on its own cos I love it.

You can ask. Did they actually make it or buy from a wholesaler … you can try and see if you can buy it direct.

Of course you can’t ask for a discount. Eat it less often and save money.

Of course you can!

They are allowed to say no

why "of course?" She isn't asking for their first born child! As long as she's prepared to politely take no for an answer where's the harm?

OP, slightly tongue in cheek, but do they have any hours going? You could get a part time job there = extra money, distraction from eating, possibly free portions and might find out the recipe for the magic sauce!