Customer wants a lower price w/shipping

[Former_Member]

Ok,

I logon this morning and I see I have a message. So I read it like I normaly do but this time my reaction is not the same more like suprised. So I looked the person up and they just join Aug 1,2011 it dont show where he lives in the US or any location.

My first thought what is this guy thinking asking me this "would you take $2.00 for your charm> include shipping?"

Listing: www.etsy.com/listing/67007065/antiqued-pewter-walking-horse-charm-by
.
I was about to write him back to get his address so I can check the shipping cost to him. I always ship the charms in a small little jewelry gift box and put it in a bubble mailer to protect it even more. You never know what is going to happen. Then i decided to ask around to see is the proper for someone to ask you if you would accept a price and that it would include shipping. I know my item is small and i have it reasonably priced at $.90 and shipping at $2.25 that covers a wide range of address in the US. I would loose money from this charm. Yes I know it would be a sale, but is this proper of someone to do this. I want to know something before I write him back.

Thanks
Victoria

[Former_Member]

I have been offered lower prices on Etsy, and at art shows I have done. It is rude, but people do it, because they have contact with the artist. Most people have no clue as to what is involved in a handmade item, or the cost to you of the product you sell.
It's not uncommon, it is a bit rude, and you have every right to hold your ground.
I know someone who broke a blown glass vase in front of a customer, and told the woman, I would rather break it than lower the price for you.

[Former_Member]

I wouldn't do it! Do you include delivery confirmation too and print your shipping labels from PP? You are already delivering an item to him that he can't get easily from where he is. The $2.25 more than saves him time and gas to drive somewhere to find the charm! I've also gotten 'interesting' requests before, some straight up really rude. I say you should hold your ground.

[Former_Member]

You can see how you can lower your shipping (like just protect it with bubble in an envelope + shipping low rate) and see if you can go with it...but I agree with HorkoverGlass and SzetoBaby, that kind of attitude is a little rude (depends of how it is ask and all..but still).

Maybe you can tell him why your shipping is at this price + wouldn't it be much easier for this person to by more than just one item ? It would lower shipping rate... Personally when I order supplies, I try to buy a lot in one time, so it is easier for everybody..There is always things you need.

[Former_Member]

I wonder if this guy gets to the register at the grocery store and asks for a discount? When he goes to buy sneakers, does he ask for a bargain? Why in the world would people think it's ok to pay full price when an item is made by machine for the huge stores and ok to try to buy on the cheap when a single person or small group makes something by hand?

[SleepingKnight]

I might give a discount to someone buying five or more items at a show. My online prices are my online prices. We have fees, shipping materials, gas to the post office etc. I say don't lower your prices. Maybe you could offer him layaway. He could pay you $.15 until he gets it paid off.

[Former_Member]

I agee with the above. I wouldn't do it. Your items are very reasonably priced. When I had a brick and mortar shop, people would ask me for discounts all the time. There was one customer who would just not let up on asking me for discounts, and I wouldn't give in. I had already discounted my fabrics a bit anyway. So my prices were not unreasonable. One time when she came in, she kept asking and asking and asking, and I wouldn't give in. When she opened her wallet to pay, she brought out a $100 bill, so she had the money to pay all the time, so I was so glad I had not given in. Sometimes I think people just ask us to see if we'll do it, and they'll still buy even if we don't say yes. And once we do give them a discount, they expect it all the time.

[Former_Member]

Why in the world would people think it's ok to pay full price when an item is made by machine for the huge stores and ok to try to buy on the cheap when a single person or small group makes something by hand?
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Because it's easier to bully a single seller who owns their own business than it is to bully a giant company.

[jenEembroidery]

I agree with those above. Only give a discount if they buy more than 1, your prices are very reasonable.

[Former_Member]

The request made me laugh a little. I could understand if the item was hundreds or thousands of dollars and they were asking if possible if you would discount the item from $750 to $700 - but here you are selling this very low priced item.

I think this guy takes nickle and diming literally!!

Yes, I think the query is rude.

[Former_Member]

Dont do it, you are going to open a gate to a road you dont want to go down. If you start discounting for one sale, where does it stop.

[Former_Member]

Victoria- The time he caused you to spend thinking about the offer means you've earned your full price : ) It's ridiculous to offer less on such a low cost item. I think he's getting etsy confused with craigslist.

[Former_Member]

Rude is the right word. The same thing happened to me. Someone offered me $10.00 for a listing that was going to cost me $8.67 to mail to their zipcode. This person has a Etsy shop too so I was quite offended by the offer because I'm sure they don't give their items away either. By the way...I said NO and have since sold the listing to someone else.

[Former_Member]

As you said it is already reasonably priced. I wouldn't do it.

[Former_Member]

Asking for a discount on a $.90 item? Seriously?

No.

[Former_Member]

This is a sellers market not a convention or craft show where there is interaction.

IF the person were purchasing multiple items then yes I would consider the request. One item - nope. And at conventions or shows it's not unusual for people to ask particularly on the last day.

I don't have a problem with it. The theory is you can always ask and sometimes the answer will be yes.

I lived in a couple countries where bargaining was part of the thrill and the game to purchase an item.

People can ask - it's up to you to decide if the situation warrants it.

In this situation - if it were me - I would tell them that if they purchased X amount or X dollar price I could give them an X discount.

Good luck with your query!

[CatherinePicone]

When I first opened my shop, someone asked me for a discount. I was so eager to make that sale, though my price was very low anyway, I marked it down for her. Guess what--within a few hours she decided she didn't want it after all. Never again unless they're buying several items!

[Former_Member]

A discount for something that low is utterly ridiculous.
I sell vintage items and have discounted two items in my store. These items were selling for $500.00 and $150.00. Because of the nature of the products it did not bother me to reduce the price. I wanted to move the item.
I would never do it for a handmade or artistic items. I've been in retail for years so it doesn't surprise when people ask for a discount.. It's a matter of saying "yes" or "no". I think some buyers are dealers and I weigh the request before discounting.

[MayhemHere]

I wouldn't budge... Some people are really cheap. I've lowered prices on something but never somethings that's already under a dollar... I mean really if you can't afford $3 then you probably shouldn't be on this website buying things... its not a bargaining tool.

[Former_Member]

He's practically asking you to give it to him for free!
I wouldn't do it either

[Former_Member]

It isn't rude to ask for a discount. I do it all the time and expect people to ask me to do it. Big stores do give discounts in the form of sales - like 10% or 15% off. Noone has to ask for the discount because it is stated what it will be.

Having said that.. .90 is pretty cheap and unless the person is buying a big quantity of them I'd just say no or tell him that if he buys 20 you can give him a whatever discount. Tell him that if he buys more you can ship for less.. etc. I'd probably go with a more positive message that gave him the opportunity for a discount by buying more than one item.

[MountainGoth]

Stand firm...we are talking little money here.

[Former_Member]

I wanted to thank you all for your outstanding comments on this issue. Yes it was rude of him to ask to pay $2 for the item with shipping cost included.

I will be letting him know that answer is no for one item only discount if he was getting more items.

We do shows and we have our show prices too due to booth costs, gas but we are still very reasonable priced there too. Only once in a blue moon do we ever get asked to lower our prices otherwise people buy from us.

Thanks again for your wonderful input and what you have experieced too.

[Former_Member]

I think it is rude and the price is just cents off. It is a sell and would be nice if it was for more than one. With the emails I get from people giving discounts and coupons~even in the news etc with all the coupon news ..might be why they think it is ok to ask. Rude when it is a small on line shop from the artist. Maybe write back and let them know or try to split the cost. It is a sell but it also sets up a standard for biz if they ever come back.

[Former_Member]

Wow they must be pretty cheap! $3.15 total and he wants it for $2? On the other hand- I have had ppl "haggle" me at shows but never on here. I don't mind though. If I don't like the price they say then all I can say is no. In this case your item is already priced more than fair, but in some cases I don't get why artist get so upset if someone just asks for a better deal. If you don't like it then just tell them no and move on :)