How to Get a Discount in any Store.

Everybody wants to know how to get a cash discount on the goods they buy, especially at Christmas when times are hard and we all want to get the very best deals and the most for our money. So how do you go about getting a cash discount? How do you save real money? There are a few simple things to remember to help you get that all-important cut-price deal this festive season or at any time of year.

The first thing to remember is - it never hurts to simply be direct and just come right out and ask the question, is there a discount for cash? It might sound cheeky or a little bit silly asking at first but you will soon get used to it. You might be very surprised by the answer and by just how much discount some people are prepared to give when they know that you will be paying in cash. If you don’t ask for a cash discount you won’t get one, it’s as simple as that.

Don't be embarrassed or ashamed to ask for a cash discount, look at it as fun. Haggling is a way of life for many cultures, enjoyed by both sides of the transaction. Don't let it be reserved for holidays abroad, you can hone your haggling skills in a souk in Morocco by all means but put those skills to work back home too. A shopkeeper is a shopkeeper anywhere in the world that they chose to trade, they are in business to make a sale and you are in business to buy something.

There are a few easy to remember rules to follow if you want to have the best chance of getting a cash discount. Cash, in this instance, means anything other than finance, so debit, credit cards or checks are all counted the same. With finance, you will find that there really isn’t much wiggle room, so if at all possible avoid taking out finance if you want to get a really good cash discount deal. Unless you are buying something really big like a car or a house, but even then you might be able to get a better deal by haggling.

1) Always shop on the last day of the month if you want to get the biggest bargains.

Many shops have targets that they want to see met in a specific time frame, usually a month. You will find that employees can and will cut prices for you, especially if you are paying cash. They want to look good and keep their sales figures up and so a cash buyer coming in at the last moment is as good for them as it is for you. They may be on an incentive scheme that sees them earn money on your transaction, so make the salesperson your friend, get them on your side. Ask them if the deal they are offering you really is the best that can be done, smile and always, always be polite.

2) Shop in the independents where possible.

Small independent businesses’ are obviously your best bet if you want to negotiate a better price for goods but even the big chains are not averse to a bit of haggling. It might not get you much of a cash discount but it might end up with you getting a few freebies thrown in. A set of saucepans with a new cooker, extra software with a new pc, an extended warranty, free delivery - anything extra you can get is better than nothing. It's better for you to have extra things than someone else. Trust me, someone will be prepared to ask and they will get that little something extra thrown in, make it you.

3) Be prepared to be flexible.

You might have set your heart on one type of product but if you are prepared to compromise a little you might get a better deal. Ask yourself if you really need the very latest model of fridge, or can you make do with last years? If the only difference between the two is something small and cosmetic then your answer should be no. No one but you will ever know. The same applies to the colour of an item, do you really need a silver kettle or will a white one do?

4) Be prepared to walk away.

It’s a bit like playing a game of chicken, which one is going to crack first, you or the salesperson? Remember, whatever it is that you want to buy there will always be somewhere else you can get it. If you the buyer knows that simple little fact then so does the seller. Chances are he will crack first and if he doesn’t, move on.

5) You are in charge.

You can always find another shop to spend your hard earned cash in but can the shopkeeper find another cash buyer? You may find that walking away gets you an even bigger discount. Never pause in the shop doorway and then walk back in to buy the goods, move on to another shop.