Biz Discounts for friends/neighbours

[camomilly]

I’ve run a business for 8 years now, where I hire a space out per hour.

Generally I’ve avoided giving discounts as I’ve found it causes me stress, and doesn’t generally make me any more money. Very rarely I have given a hire 100% for free to a friend as a gift, but in all honesty I don’t think it’s been appreciated or helped get me more business!

so nowadays, (as much to keep the things emotionally simple for myself as anything), I refuse all requests for discounts. The price is the price, no matter how many you buy or who you are.

I would never ask a friend for a discount from their business either.

keeping life simple is more important to me than making a few extra £.

So; today a close neighbour asked if they can have regular use discounts…..I told them to email me about it as a way of deflecting the decision. But I want to say no!

so I just thought I’d ask - does anyone do friends discounts? and do you think it helps you business at all? Or are you just being ‘nice?’

x

My friends and family never ask for discount. I do give a bit, but only because they don't ask and they pay cash so I don't incur card payment fees.
Is your neighbour asking because they are your neighbour, or because they want a regular booking and usually this would attract some kind of discount in space hire. If I wanted to book the same slot somewhere for say 12 weeks, I would expect there to be some discount with that. Surely it is cheaper for you to rent out regular slots than one offs in terms of time finding bookings?

No don’t give discounts, they are never appreciated

I give my immediate family a discount on my Etsy shop. It means I make a minimal profit as margins are already tight. But a purchase and review helps the algorithm and she (I only have a couple family members left) has been generous.
People are tight. I once ran a charity stall at our (private, so people had money) school's Christmas fair. I made loads of chutneys and jellies from my own apple trees, which were delicious by the way. So many friends came up and asked 'how's it going'? Did they buy anything? No, they did not. Prices started at £3, and it was for charity (teenage mental health and counselling services, so relevant)! Come Christmas some of these friends hinted strongly that if I had any leftovers they'd be happy for a little Christmas present.. fortunately there were enough buyers at the fair and anything I had left went as teachers' gifts.
If this person was to book for ten weeks block, for example, I might give a bulk booking discount.

I don’t give discounts, but as I’m a copywriter, I can add extra copy like writing their first email newsletter for example. In your case, that’s tricky. If that person also runs a business, you could do a trade- you get whatever they are offering in return for a discount. I’ve done that with a friend before.
I think you’re right I’m not giving any discounts, it makes life much easier. If you only give discounts to a handful of people, chances are others find out and become upset.