My youngest gets to experience his first handcart trek this summer. Having sent 4 others kids on trek, and been on trek ourselves, we have learned a couple of tricks. The first? Get boots early, and break them in long before the trek begins. Buy them the week before, and it can get ugly.
FOML5 and I took off to Big 5 Sporting Goods to find some boots. My “steering” isn’t as effective as it used to be, and he ended up picking out some decent boots, but they were a little more expensive than I was hoping to pay.
We took them up to the counter, and the guy working the register rang them up. $64.99. Yikes. It was time to break out the Standard MMM question. It varies, based on the situation, but tonight it ran something like this:
“It looks like we picked the only pair of boots in the entire store that aren’t on sale – is there any coupon or discount that you can help us out with?”
-Historically, at this moment, my EC or whichever kid is with me flinches involuntarily. You would think they would get used to it…
The clerk said, ‘Sorry – no coupons, but let me check something.”
He turned around and clicked a few buttons on a computer and turned back. “I can give you a sale price on these. Now they are $29.99.”
Yep. A $35 discount. Sweet.
I expressed my gratitude, paid the man, and left the store with my son, feeling like we won the lottery. While celebrating our “win” with a dinner at Wendy’s, I explained the simple reality to my son:
“If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.” and the follow-up, “The worst they can say is, ‘No.'”
There is no need to be pushy, or rude. In fact, that would be counterproductive. Just a simple, polite question to the cashier, the hotel desk, the rental car clerk, the repairman, the appliance salesman, etc. It is remarkable what can result from a friendly request.
Granted, I know some people would rather be waterboarded than actually ask someone for a discount. (I’m married to one.) I’m not advocating browbeating the poor lady at SuperCuts into cutting you a deal on a $12 haircut – the circumstances and a polite attitude are key. But hey, $35 is $35.
I have saved tons of money over the years just by asking nicely. Figured I would share this simple idea with you.
And if you don’t try you’ll never know. Great post as usual. Happy trekking!
I love this! Your method of asking sounds much nicer and doable for me than the question “is that the best you can do?”, which I have heard suggested by others as a way to save money.
As a side note, I tell my kids, husband, and self to ask questions. People are usually happy to share their knowledge, experiences, recipes, or whatever!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m going on trek next year…good tips, both of ’em!
When I was a few years younger and in a different career field, we had a mandatory 12 mile, less than 3 hour “hike” every quarter (with a 40 lbs rucksack and rifle) I had a pair of ” ‘cruit boots” that I had broken in and the leather was so soft, it was like wearing moccasins. I used those same boots for 12 years until the leather was so worn that they could not be re-soled. I never had a blister. I saw other guys buying every modification they could find, but unless they had them broken in….they were always miserable by the end of the morning.
As far as discounts and sales prices….I prepare taxes as a “hobby” this time of year. businesses are in business to make money. that being said, getting you in the door is half the battle. Getting you in twice is the other half. most businesses are happy to give you a discount, especially if they know you will be coming back because of it. they might only make half the profit on your visit….but making half 4, 5, or 6 times is better than making all of it once.
This knowledge always helps boost my confidence to share the gospel with my non-member friends. The worst they can say is ‘no thanks’ and I’m always so much happier when I open my mouth rather than wondering ‘what if.’
You are so right. Just last night I picked us some puppy and cat food for a friend. After I paid for them I noticed that the price was $1.50 more for each product than marked on the shelves. A quick trip to customer service with a gentle inquiry and bam – both products became free (as per the store policy on incorrect pricing) and I was able to tell my friend (who is on a fairly fixed income) that she just saved $23.00.
Good to know, both about needing broken in boots for the trek- first kid will be going this summer- and about asking about discounts. I’m not shy about saving money, but I rarely shop at department stores, so I didn’t even know they might be able to do something like that and never would’ve thought to ask!
This has been my maxim for a long time: “If you don’t ask, the answer is always No.”
Love this! I can’t tell you how many times my Dad said, “The worst they can say is no.”
Good advice on multiple counts.
We’re going on our 2nd trek as a Pa and Ma this June. We told our trek family the exact same thing about boots, buy now and break them in. Glad you got a discount!
Did they have any size 15? I am dying over here at the on line prices for big mens shoes…and the thought that he will out grow them since he is only 14 years old. Mercy!
so true. I work retail and they will always try to help u out at my store to keep the sale. They look at it like they could have lost 30.