The 'Something For Nothing' Brigade...

[Gecko001]

I am not a shop keeper but I do business with the general public as well as business. My point is that when the general public get a sniff that you are willing to lower your prices just because they ask nicely or not so nicely in many case, it will attract cheapskates who want something for nothing. General public customers, unlike (most) businesses to business customers talk among themselves about prices. Also if one customer who has gotten a discount mentions it to their friend and the friend goes into the shop and does not get one, how will they feel? Will they feel like shopping there again? People hate feeling that they are being treated unfairly even if it is just over a few pence.

 

[chalkie99]

Don't you believe it,the more dosh the more haggle IMHO.

Bang on! That's how the swines got their money in the first place.

 

[warnie]

I am not a shop keeper but I do business with the general public as well as business. My point is that when the general public get a sniff that you are willing to lower your prices just because they ask nicely or not so nicely in many case, it will attract cheapskates who want something for nothing. General public customers, unlike (most) businesses to business customers talk among themselves about prices. Also if one customer who has gotten a discount mentions it to their friend and the friend goes into the shop and does not get one, how will they feel? Will they feel like shopping there again? People hate feeling that they are being treated unfairly even if it is just over a few pence.

Good point

And this is why we hate giving discount on small ticket items. It very rarely happens though normally just a polite no is sufficient.

 

[SillyJokes]

I am not a shop keeper but I do business with the general public as well as business. My point is that when the general public get a sniff that you are willing to lower your prices just because they ask nicely or not so nicely in many case, it will attract cheapskates who want something for nothing. General public customers, unlike (most) businesses to business customers talk among themselves about prices. Also if one customer who has gotten a discount mentions it to their friend and the friend goes into the shop and does not get one, how will they feel? Will they feel like shopping there again? People hate feeling that they are being treated unfairly even if it is just over a few pence.

The way to handle it is to be prepared for it. Decide in advance how to handle requests and then you can be consistent with everyone who comes in. Also it will not be such a shock when asked, you can think through a discount which leaves you with a bottom line and allows the customer to go away happy.

For instance on something under £10, £20 or £30 depending upon your average order size/profitability you can just give a polite no, but explain they might have a little off if they spent £20, £30 or £40 respectively.

Don't let people guilt you out. You need to be there next year if they want the same thing again.