How much discount for colleagues?

[tanfastic]

I work part time in an office and the rest of the time run my own business. I'm in the wedding industry in my self employed work. A couple of girls in the office are getting married and want to purchase from me. How much discount would you expect if you were them? Bearing in mind my products are at least 30% cheaper than a bridal shop already as I'm online. I was thinking 15%, too little? Too much?

When DH worked in a shop, he got a 40% discount and often got stuff at cost.

But I'm a small business not a large corporation if I gave 40% I'd be leaving myself with barely nothing. I make to order too.

And these girls don't work for me. Sorry to drip feed.

I would say 15% sounds fine. I usually sell to friends at about halfway between cost price and retail price. Unless it's family or really close friends, who get things a bit cheaper.

It's not like a staff discount though.

I think 15% is very generous, especially if they're already saving on a shop price, they won't be expecting you to do it at cost.

I'd be sure to mention the usual price so they know they're getting a bargain. Assuming you make jewellery or accessories of some sort, very probably they won't have much of an idea about how much the raw materials cost.

Recommendations could be very useful do also might be worth popping in a freebie / making sure is all packaged beautifully. Again though, you need to be clear about the discount you are offering them as friends (include it on your invoice?) so that others don't expect the same prices!

Thanks, yes close friends I would just give it them at wholesale price without making any profit but these arn't friends as such and the order involves a huge amount of work for me.

Yes thanks, I'm a pretty well known brand nationally in the industry so they know my online prices.

This may be an odd question, but have they actually asked for discount? Obviously it's nice to give them mates-rates, but I don't think you should feel you should have to give them discount. You know them, so the likelihood is there'll be little extra things you do for them that you won't do for your standard off-the-street/internet client, and from my experience the closer the friends, the more they work you ("I know you're doing this cheap and I really appreciate it, but can I get this changed, and then this changed, and add some of this...")

Just my experience, but don't sell yourself too short even if you do know them! Max I give friends and family for my services (different industry, though, but I think some priciples can be the same) is 10%, if any. If you do give them some discount, make sure they recommend you wildly : )

lemonygem makes a very good point.

I wouldn't expect mates rates. Presumably they are coming to you because they know they can trust you to do a great job, not because they expect discounts. It they question it I'd just say that your marjins are so small at the moment you can afford to cut prices.

And once you've given mates rates to one...

I think most people do expect a discount if they know you though. I always feel very awkward about it.

I have given her 15% after much thought and as it's a big order I'm still making a healthy profit. I know that she will recommend me for years to come so it will pay off.

Thanks for your input ladies