Question about discounts

[HildaLea]

Hi all! Hope everyone's November is going well.

I had a question about when you're willing to give discounts. In the past, I was approached by someone wanting 18 of my items and I was more than happy to give a discounted rate!

Yesterday I had a message from a customer saying they wanted to buy two of my items (one is $11 and one is $7) and asked if I would "bundle" them for $13 + shipping.

On the one hand, it's only $5 I'd be losing out on, but I kind of feel like many many buyers have bought 2 or more items and have never asked for (or received voluntarily) a discounted rate, so why would I give this person one?

I'd appreciate any thoughts/opinions!

[HoneyThistle]

Hi Bee,

I never give discounts that I'm already set up to give anyway. Every now and then, I'll have someone ask for a discount on one item because they can't afford to buy it for gift giving or some other story along those lines, and while I appreciate that they took the time to reach out, my prices are firm. I set my prices at the point that it makes it worth it for me and I treat it like any other professional business.

Bulk discounts are one thing and something I would have thought out prior to their asking, so I would just offer it right off the bat. However, $5/18 = more than 25%! That's very unreasonable, and I don't know how high you set your profit margin to be, but for me that would be a significant chunk/probably more than the margin itself after labour, fees and material costs.

[Plektra]

I never had anyone asking me for a discount. I had customers choosing the quantity they needed and purchased 2 items without asking anything. I did have a note about it in the listing.

If you find you get customers asking for discounts....maybe your prices are too low?

Perhaps you could group a couple of items together so the customer gets a discount in shipping and you don't lose out too much either? It is possible that some customers like your work but can't afford it due to various reasons, foreign exchange, shipping costs when buying from abroad...

[michellemach]

I have discounts or free shipping on selected items that meet a minimum purchase requirement (like $100-200). That makes it possible for me to treat all customers fairly.

For some very small items that are meant to be bought in bulk (like paper gift tags), I occasionally use the variations on the listing to offer a small price discount (1 item for $5, 3 items for $12 ...). If you do that, you just need to make sure that you can ship all the items for the same price so you don't lose money!

Good luck!

[StuckOnSilver]

IMO a $5 discount on an $18 sale is too high. Decline courteously and thank the shopper for the inquiry.

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

$5 does seem like a lot for that small of an order! I mean, props for them to be brave enough to ask, but still.

I would decline. But I would also have a general "acceptable" discount in your head that you know you can give customers and feel good about it and know that you won't loose money. Just in case if he comes back at you, or any other customers ask you for them.

[HildaLea]

Thanks everyone, this was helpful!

[SageNThymeDesigns]

This happens to me from time to time and it does make me rather upset. I don't ever give the discount if they ask for a certain price point, haggling may be okay in a craft market, but not online.

I tell people that I'm happy to offer discounts on orders of 10 or more of the same item (seems nicer than saying NO and often results in a sale). I usually let them know that they'll save on shipping by adding the two items together in their cart.

[BlackCatStudio98]

I wouldn't give a discount. Just nicely tell them it wouldn't be fair to your other customers, or that you will give a discount on ___ number of orders whatever number you consider to be worth discounting. And if your shipping is less for a second item be sure to tell them that.

I think most people who would even ask for a discount are thinking, "It can't hurt to ask, all they can do is say no". So when you do say no there are no hard feelings because they figured it doesn't hurt to try. And if there are hard feelings than you don't want to deal with them anyway.

[OneFairfaxRoad]

As a vintage seller, I find people ask for discounts about 5% of the time. I generally reply something like:
Thank you for your interest in (item name). I am not able to offer a discount on this item, however I do refund shipping overage if above $2.

On the rare occasions I do agree to a discount, it is for items that have been in the shop awhile or if I feel my price may have been too high.

I don't think you need to provide any reason for not offering a discount, just a nice response will do.

[mirrymirry]

i only 'sometimes' discount if it's a big order.
if it's an item i always sell well, i wouldn't discount it.

i too think 5 off of 18 is quite chunky.
good luck hun