Asking me for a discount....

[Former_Member]

I had a fellow shop owner ask me for a discount on an item and to be very honest---I was a bit offended! I spend a lot of time making my products and "assumed" that others valued their work and time as much as I do. I kindly declined but I really wanted to say that my time is worth something!

[HopscotchCouture]

I know what you mean. It happens quite often actually.

[JannisBitsAndBobs]

I think some people approach Etsy the way they might a flea market. If you've been to a flea market, you know that some venders will bargain with you, and others have set prices. I figured if there's a price tag on something, it's set, but if I have to ask, there's room to negotiate. I don't think most people mean anything by it when they ask for a lower price, it's just that particular mindset. If I ask a vender at a flea market if they can "do me better on the price" and they say "no," I just smile and say, "Okay, then." Most of the time, it's an item I'm planning to buy anyway, so I cheerfully hand over my money.

[DeerGirlDesigns]

Oh my, I would never ask someone for a discount. Such bad manners!

[PoetryUnspoken]

As a seller you're not obligated to negotiate, nor is a buyer is obligated to pay a price they believe is steep or cannot afford.
I personally find that it takes some courage to ask for a lower price. (I don't have that courage most of the time, but do not find it offensive, unless they offered a ridiculously low price) Many times the person asking has a geniune interest in the item - that's probably why they had the courage to ask - they may have to stretch their dollars like most of us, hoping the seller may be willing to negotiate and have a sale. IMO, a transaction has to make both buyer and seller happy for it to work. If it doesn't, then don't go for it.

[ArtisanRoseCreations]

I did that once when I had bought several of the items at one time. So, I wouldn't be offended if I were asked for a discount since times are hard and people are looking for deals. I would certainly look at my price and see if there was room for negotiations. Plus, don't you think that with so many etsy sellers talking about how sales are down, they might feel this is a good time to ask?

[Davs]

Rubi Javier from rubisartnmore says Edited on Jan 5, 2012

As a seller you're not obligated to negotiate, nor is a buyer is obligated to pay a price they believe is steep or cannot afford.
I personally find that it takes some courage to ask for a lower price. (I don't have that courage most of the time, but do not find it offensive, unless they offered a ridiculously low price) Many times the person asking has a geniune interest in the item - that's probably why they had the courage to ask - they may have to stretch their dollars like most of us, hoping the seller may be willing to negotiate and have a sale. IMO, a transaction has to make both buyer and seller happy for it to work. If it doesn't, then don't go for it.
...............

Also why be offended by someone else's budget, not everyone has a big wallet. If they can't afford to pay full price but want your item badly enough to ask for a discount, why not take it as a complement? It doesn't mean you have to say yes. But to be offended seems silly. I've been asked a couple of times for a discount or trade for a few of my paintings, no matter, I felt special that someone wanted one of my items bed enough to ask for a lower price. In both cases I would not have been happy with the transaction so I declined but I would never have felt offended.

[WhatCandySays]

If I were you, I will be excited for such questions from buyer.

Because it gives a good chance to let buyer know my policies----we do know most buyers do not read policies and announcement.

I will include information of discount about pre order and bulk order, also process time, and so on. It may encourage them to buy more and prevent rush orders.

Also, people spend time sending me convo means they really like my items. Even if I really can not offer better discount, they may still placing orders.

Anyway, potential buyers contact me should be good thing, better than no one notice my store.

My humble opinion.

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Welcome to contact me for discount~
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[DeerGirlDesigns]

I wouldn't go into a restaurant and ask people I don't know for a discount. I wouldn't go into a boutique and ask for a discount unless there was damage to the item. This is bad manners, plain and simple.

[AnneLondezGlass]

I'd work out a price list that includes quantity discounts (if you're willing to do them of course) and send it to the customers who ask.

[Former_Member]

@davkadeegirl---I completely agree with you.

I do offer a quantity discount but not for ONE item at 25% off which is what I was being asked.

[Former_Member]

Customers with multiple items ask me for discounts, which I will give if they have multiple, atleast 4 items in their cart. But no one has ever asked me for a discount on a single item, I'd feel the same, highly insulted!

[Former_Member]

Please don’t be offended when someone asks for a discount, especially not another shop owner. I know TONS of people that offer an exclusive discount to other Etsy shop owners as a professional courtesy. That might be why the person asked. That is the beauty of being the owner of your own shop you can make those decisions the way you want, and graciously decline telling them that you just set your prices too low to offer a discount. I have had people offer me crazy low amounts of money for things, but I am always happy when someone is looking, because maybe next time they might just decide it is time to buy.

[LittleAcornToronto]

I had a customer ask me for a discount, which was quite steep at about 20% off. I offered her a coupon code for 10% off but only if she bought 2 items. And guess what? She did.

And then guess what else happened? She came back for Christmas presents!

I always open to someone requesting a discount. I never say no...I offer them a smaller discount or I direct them to my FB fan page which almost always has an active coupon code happening

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

I've been asked about a discount before. Someone convo-ed me asking if I had a coupon code. It was for a vintage pencil box that had a hinge loose. I told her I'd do 10% off or I'd pay to have the hinge fixed. She [wisely] chose the latter. It ended up costing more money than the box was worth to find a vintage hinge and screws... but I guess it's my fault for agreeing to do it, and not sell the box as-is, which is what my store policies say I do. Lesson learned - follow your own policies. You made them for a reason!

Also, I understand asking about discounts on vintage items, but handmade stuff? I don't think I'd have the nerve to do that.

[Former_Member]

Be honored for the interest... You can always say, "not at this time". I have has some interesting questions posted in the past but it means you are hitting your target! Blessings~

[GeminaeCo]

I never thought about the idea that it would take some courage to ask for a discount... That changes my feelings on it. These days when someone asks for a discount I direct them to my facebook page which has coupon codes. That way I get a little something out of it too.

[TheRightJack]

If you are looking for a way to respond in a positive way, that would be
something you can say...that you do offer discounts for multiple, volume purchases. It gets the message across without just saying "No."
BTW, I was in a business seminar for a very large company. They had brought in an international business "expert" and he advised that you should always ask for a discount in every negotiation. Of course, he was talking to a big business, but when asked, he said it should apply across the board because these days everyone is looking for business and should be willing to negotiate. See the post from GoddesssofJewelry above, who did a terrific job of negotiating and getting the sale. Congratulations, well done!
I also have a small, but existing group of sale items that they may not have checked out, so I would direct them there as another way to encourage a purchase.
Ladysprettys, thanks for mentioning that some shops do offer discounts if they are dealing with another Etsy shop. Good to be aware, especially if you are in a very competitive category.

[Former_Member]

I'd be willing to discuss a discount, but, as a seller, she should be understanding (or at least aware) or the work that goes into handmade items. I've given bulk discounts, but can't afford to give people a discount just because they ask. When I do sales and free shipping, it is to generate interest and really hurts my bottom line. Maybe she'd be willing to give you a similar discount in her shop?

[GildedXRoseXStudio]

There have been a few things on here that I wish I could buy, but I really didn't have the funds to do so. I wouldn't ask for a discount, though...it's at that price for a reason. (unless it goes on sale!)

I've offered bulk discounts for more than one item. To have a customer purchase one item is great, to have them purchase more than one is even better. That means they really love your stuff! :)

I also would've responded in a more positive light: I would be happy to give discounts on bulk or multiple orders.

[Former_Member]

Hi Jeannie :)

You said...
"I kindly declined but I really wanted to say that my time is worth something!"

I think that you handled it like a Customer Service Pro...you politely declined and stood firm! It's perfectly understandable to feel the way you do about your time but it is Never Worth engaging in an unproductive conversation with a possible future customer!

So many other in this thread had some great advice about not taking the asking of discounts personally which I know can be very hard so I'm going to share one of my most important business Mantras with you...
It's Just Business!
When I'm upset over something that hits a personal note I really do say this out loud. If your get in the habit of saying it out loud to yourself you'll be amazed at how much it can help long term with some of those more difficult or offensive business moments.
Best Wishes,
Li :)

Another though is to review your current pricing structure...it's always a good idea to price things in such a way that you are able to have the occasional sale and/or discount

[Former_Member]

I think if someone was buying multiple items - maybe 5 or 6 and asked I might do something like give them free shipping. But my prices are so low if anyone asked for a discount I'd laugh to myself and say no sorry. I think some people will ask and some people assume that you are set. I hold to the view that if it has a price - you should pay it and not quibble.

[StarJewels]

I can see how that might rub you the wrong way. But lots of people have coupon codes, I have one for liking my FB page. Frankly I'd be happy that someone wanted to buy my items, and would be happy to refer them to my FB page to like it and get the code, were they to take the trouble to inquire, . You an always say no or if you have a coupon code for a lesser discount, offer them that.

[TreasuresOfGrace]

I had a customer ask for a discount on an item. I had just reduced the item by $10.00 two days prior to her convo (but she probably didn't know that). Plus, I was offering free shipping at the time. I just explained to her that I had already reduced the price and that if I give it to her for the price she was asking, she would have to pay for shipping. She agreed. It only saved her around $3.00 but I made the sale, and she felt like she got a deal.

However, in the past I have had people offer a riduclous price and it has been very hard to remain nice :-), and to not be offended.