I guess it is a bit extreme to say that discounts are wrong, but I’m still convinced that discounting is unfair on those who pay full price. I think that it’s cool to lower your price, but then take one item off the menu. This does definitely vary for industries, since I guess some industries rely heavily on negotiation over price.

Dave – I guess in one sense this article makes me a hypocrite, since I also ask for a discount on hotel / car / suppliers etc.

I think in an idealistic world, then price would be pegged against product and service. This means that a discount would mean a reduction in product or service (like your burger analogy). Thing is though, I don’t believe that price can be an indication of quality any more. You can definitely pay more for less.

I find that these days it’s almost 2nd nature to ask for a discount. I always ‘pad’ my price because 9 out of 10 times I get asked for discounts.

I just don’t think it’s good business practice to get your back up if someone asks for a discount. I don’t, I just smile politely and start doing mental calculations on how to make the most of it.

My discounts always come with conditions though, like paying cash on delivery (as in notes), or maybe accepting a later delivery date (meaning those paying full price come first).

Great column though!

The amount of money saved by swallowing ones pride and asking for a discount or a saving is astronomical in the long run.

I can’t tell you how much money I have saved by simply not accepting the rate a hotel quotes me first up. They are often willing to move down three times before finally stopping, on numerous occasions I have negotiated Hotels down from $400 a night to $200 simply by refusing to accept their rate and knowing they can give me a better price.

Why should this be different when negotiating rates for somebody providing a service?

Since chatting to people about this article I realise that people think very differently about this. I think I have a problem with ‘discounting’ because I feel it’s not really fair on the clients who’ve paid full rates. This is my personal opinion – and since yesterday I’ve seen that not everyone agrees with my three points.

On the other hand, I reckon it’s perfectly OK to lower your price… but then take something off. If the customer wants R10 off his burger meal, then he forfeits the chips.

Remember how bummed existing owners were when Steve Jobs announced that he was slashing the iPhone price by $100?

Shelldon, instead of padding your fees maybe consider itemising them instead. That way, if your client asks for a lower rate, you can happily say yes – just no fries.

Cheers,
Fred

My son/niece/neighbour’s dentist’s daughter just started studying design so we’ll send you the yearbook artwork ready to print.

I would like this exact photo as a 1 storey
billboard.

Guesthouse owners: we took photos that you can use for the brochure ourselves

Please design a glossy brochure we’ll be doing the printing on our home printer.

My son would like one single T-shirt with this image on it.

I want a green logo.
Phone call 1: I changed my mind I want something in purple.
Phone call 2: Forget what I said earlier I just took a look at my office and we need to go with an orange logo.
Phone call 3: I had a thought about the colour of the logo again and I think we should stick with the green logo.
Phone call 4: Can I see it in a light lime
Phone calls 5-19: progresses through all possible greens.
Phone call 20: Oooh you are not going to be happy with me. I’ve been thinking pink is the new it-colour…

Goes along with what they say about ‘firing’ your customers. However, I like the approach of always being willing and able to help – if the price is right. But that doesn’t mean that he has to be happy with the right price. Where the customer is more difficult than he should be, that definitely results in extra costs for you, which means the price he gets quoted should be higher than for less argumentative customers. Bottom line, if he goes for it, great. If he doesn’t, great. A win-win.