At this point, I am far beyond a black belt. Here is how I use the Force and sometimes Schwartz to get what I want at a good price:
1. ASK FOR A DISCOUNT!- This is the most important tip I could give anyone. I can't tell you how many times I have gotten a discount just because I asked for it. One time I asked for a discount at Anne Taylor Loft and their occupational discount was only for teachers, but the sales girl gave it to me anyway when I told her I was a nurse. If they can't give you an occupation discount, ask if they have any coupons. Many times they will have coupons behind the register that they will use IF you ask about it.
2. NEGOTIATE-When you are going into higher end stores, may of the sales associates who work there are on some type of commission incentive. If you are going to make a decent size purchase (think around $200 and above), bargain with them. Make sure you give them an incentive to give you a little off the top ("I'll buy two pairs of shoes if you can give me a discount instead of one").
2. MAKE A FRIEND-Buddy up to the managers at your favorite stores. They have the most power to give you a discount so establish a shopping relationship with them, especially if you frequent the store. You can do the same with a great sales and get good results. They want you to come back so they are all about getting a report down.
3. PAY CASH- Whenever possible, pay with cash. It's easier for the sales associate to give you a discount that way.
4. SIGN UP FOR THE ANNOYING WEEKLY E-MAILS- Many of them include insider sales or special coupons. Don't want to clog up your inbox? Make a separate e-mail address just for weekly e-mail blasts from your favorite stores. Also, tons of stores are going paperless and you can sign up for text message coupon codes.
5. BECOME A PREFERRED CUSTOMER- Ask about preferred customer programs and how you can become apart of it. Usually you can get better deals and bonuses then other customers that are on the regular e-mail list. The best program I have found is Sephora's Beauty Insider and VIB program. Visit Sephora's website for more details at Sephora.com (like you didn't already know ;-))
6. SIGN UP FOR THE STORE'S CREDIT CARD- OK, This one comes with a big big warning. We all know that stores offer a pretty healthy discount when you open up a card with them. ONLY do this if you promise me you will fulfill all of the conditions below:
A. You are making a HUGE purchase (like how I did with Macy's when I bought furniture).
B. You have good credit.
C. Plan to pay off that sucker in full right when you get home. If you take a look at the paperwork they give you, you'll find that these store cards have ridiculous APR's well into the 20's and above!
D. The store continues to offer good discounts and incentives after your initial purchase.
7. CHECK OUT YOUR WORK PLACE DISCOUNTS- Many big hospitals and big private sector company's offer discounts on various things out in the community as apart of its employee benefits package. Common discounts are on gyms, tickets, and cell phone packages. Give HR a ring to find out more.
Have a good tip? Leave some love in the comments section!
