To date, my most expensive kit purchases have been to support my Kayaking kit addiction, new boats, drysuits, paddles, helmets, buoyancy aids etc etc – very few purchases have been below £100 and I have a good relationship with my two local shops and a number of on line retailers.
With these purchases it has generally been accepted that at some point in the purchasing conversation I will enquire as to the “best possible price” they can offer me,, or will they be “knocking off the usual 10%” or some other comment to make it clear that I would be wanting at least 10% off, and preferably nearer 15% if its not a current hot item. This has generally been an accepted part if the game and I have very rarely paid the full asking price for any item of kit.
My plan is that 2010 will be the year when I buy an e-bike and start cycling to work – the potential to be a regular e-bike kit purchaser is stretching out before me and very excited about it all I am too!
So, the question posed to the learned members of this forum –
Are e-bike margins generally good enough to play the discounting game here as well? Or would such requests be considered rude and be met with a “how very dare you Sir” response?! Is 10% an accepted norm, is it worth aiming for 15%, or are times so tight that such suggestions would in reality push the retailer close to making nothing on the transaction – what is the accepted etiquette here?
Obviously I`ll be wanting to get the best possible deal I can, but I also want to be able to continue to be welcome in the shop afterwards for advice, after sales support and future purchases – the relationship needs to built on trust and respect so any hints on the “rules” of the game here would be appreciated.
Thanks for any advice
Bob_about
With these purchases it has generally been accepted that at some point in the purchasing conversation I will enquire as to the “best possible price” they can offer me,, or will they be “knocking off the usual 10%” or some other comment to make it clear that I would be wanting at least 10% off, and preferably nearer 15% if its not a current hot item. This has generally been an accepted part if the game and I have very rarely paid the full asking price for any item of kit.
My plan is that 2010 will be the year when I buy an e-bike and start cycling to work – the potential to be a regular e-bike kit purchaser is stretching out before me and very excited about it all I am too!
So, the question posed to the learned members of this forum –
Are e-bike margins generally good enough to play the discounting game here as well? Or would such requests be considered rude and be met with a “how very dare you Sir” response?! Is 10% an accepted norm, is it worth aiming for 15%, or are times so tight that such suggestions would in reality push the retailer close to making nothing on the transaction – what is the accepted etiquette here?
Obviously I`ll be wanting to get the best possible deal I can, but I also want to be able to continue to be welcome in the shop afterwards for advice, after sales support and future purchases – the relationship needs to built on trust and respect so any hints on the “rules” of the game here would be appreciated.
Thanks for any advice
Bob_about
, and I don't think I've ever offended anyone by suggesting politely that since I was spending a shedload of cash a discount would be very welcome. Some immediately offer a reduced price, some merely say that alas, they cannot. In the latter case it's then up to me to purchase or not as I choose.
