Looking for
 

Hi
Somewhere on the web - I can't remember where :( was a discussion and comments about people asking for discounts of handmade items to sell. Someone posted a great saying/sign about

Don't embarrass me by asking for a discount as I will embarrass you by saying no.

I am looking for the "correct words" to this as they were nicely done
Many thanks in advance
Lynn

I would like to know also.....

How about, "If you'll forgive me for not offering a discount, I'll forgive you for asking for one"?

Personally, I would not use such a sign. Too antagonistic. If they ask for a discount, just smile sweetly and say, "That won't be possible."

Then, depending on how snarky you feel, you might suggest they go shopping at Walmart where they will probably find something in their price range. (just kidding)

Tell them

No "flea market" quality, no "flea market" price.

Well , we all know, we put LOT of time in our projects. And if we would divide our time & what we price things at..well, we're probably earning pennies per hour. Maybe a good price tag would include:
$price at minimum wage...$ my price! Although, people who do not quilt or do crafts, probably do not realize the time & effort we do put into our items.
"Well Todo, we're not at Walmart anymore." " Quality item, Handmade in the USA"

There is another great saying,

If you don't ask, the answer is always, "No."

That one applies in a lot of dissimilar situations.

P

I had a friend from South America who was visiting, and we were in a clothing boutique and she wanted to ask for a discount. I was mortified, I told her we don't do that here, lol. She asked anyway, and while the store owner said no to the discount, she offered to throw in a pair of earrings. I was floored.

I wouldn't put up a sign and risk offending someone who might mean no offense in asking...

well I feel that hand work is always discounted. One of my quilts that was completely hand done from the appliqued blocks to the quilting and binding ,took me over 2 years to make. figure that at min. wages.!!!!By the way my dsl got it for a birthday gift. lol Does that tell you how I feel about him or not.!!! Jo

Occasionally I get people in my booth at shows asking for a discount. It is always an uncomfortable moment... as I don't want to offend if they truly do not know any better. Depending on how the tone of the discount inquiry is presented varies my response. I often say yes there is a discount for frequent customers. That way they understand there is potential , but since there is no established seller/customer relationship no such discount. But I leave he door open for the start of a good/frequent customer relationship.
I do have many many repeat customers and often give some way recognizing their loyalty either through an unexpected discount or additional add on at no cost.
Someone once gave me good advise .. its takes only seconds to loose a customer , and years to build a loyal customer.

I visited an antique/flea market last weekend. They had a sign as you entered that read "Haggling is Inappropriate" . Now first off, at a flea market I think haggling is expected; the price tag is just a suggestion. I grew up with my father dragging me to flea markets all the time and he taught me the fine art of haggling; I think he would come back to haunt me if I paid the sticker price at a flea market. After reading that sign, it made me feel pretty biased about this market and I did find some items I would have loved to bring home but I also think they could have come down just a little bit in the price. I left without making a purchase. Some people are always going to ask for a discount. If you are selling something, be prepared for the question. There is nothing wrong in declining their request and you shouldn't be embarrassed by it. I know sometimes I have been thrilled even if the discount was a couple bucks!

Recently I did a craft show-very nice person did not have correct monies. She told me to keep the extra as I deserved it--that was very different ! Not much extra but it was her gracious thought. Restores hope in humanity ! Will PIF !

I have read many articles in so-called women's magazines as well as others that advocate bargaining, i.e., asking for discounts. If you watch one of the reality series on PBS television (can't think of the name right now), it's all about negotiating. I don't think people are deliberately being insulting. They are just trying to maximize the use of their money just as you are trying to maximize what you get for your product.
I don't like negotiating, either as a seller or a buyer. That's why I pay whatever they ask at garage/yard sales (which I rarely attend) and absolutely refuse to have a garage sale. I would much rather take the stuff to Goodwill or other resale shop that supports a favorite charity. And when I go to a dealer to buy a new car, I tell them to tell me your price and I'll tell you whether I can pay it. "If you start this stuff of running back and forth between me and your manager, I'm out of here." froggyintexas

If they ask, "Is that your best price?" I would say, "Yes, considering all the effort I put into it, it is a FANTASTIC price!"

I just say "that doesnt work for me. so no thank you

Try and keep it light...."Sorry, but I do need to eat this week"....might do:).

I agree - HATE haggling,too. Just tell me the price and I'll decide whether I want what you're selling. I always hate to think that I've been ripped off because I'm no good at haggling. Buying a car is a terrible experience for me! I'd rather not have a different car than to think I could have got a better price if I were a better negotiator!

People that ask for a discounts at craft sales have thick skins. No is just an answer to them, nothing more.

I pay whatever the price is if I want the item. Haggling is very tacky to me. Everyone wants a bargain to brag about later.
This is just how I feel about it.

How about just " oh my, that's a bargain price I already have on it" at minimum wage it would be triple the price!

We all know the time we have in our crafts are seldom recognized.. non crafters don't realize that. Many say 'that's easy to make' , but easy or not, they never realize the time.

Yeah me to, seems people think all this work is FREE and they do not have a clue as to the cost of materials..I have to turn down some because I am not going to give it away or lose money over fabric.. you never get paid for your time either.. but I love quilting and do a lot for family and myself..LOL

I hear this all the time...depending on the way it is questioned...I may say, "Sorry, but this isn't a flea market...prices are as marked...+ tax"
I'm always having to explain that I charge sales tax because I'm a registered business...customers will argue that no one else is charging tax...I usually say that I don't care to get into the trouble that they will get into for not charging taxes...They pay the tax. I know that most of the crafters are charging sales tax...not worth the problems from not doing it..
Others...will demean your product...well, it only costs you a dollar to make it....Those are the ones that I have told that "they should be shopping at Walmart or K-mart. The quality of my items are too good for them."
I have heard another crafter make the comment to a man..."Would you like to take a cut in your paycheck this week??? Well, I don't want to either..."

I have very often given a small discount to ladies digging for the exact change in their purses....I just put my hand gently on their arm and tell them to "consider it a senior discount." That goes over very well.

Well, no offence to anyone, because we all know the time and work that goes into making items. But I think alot of people think, no harm in asking. I don't think the average person is trying to offend by asking.

I never haggle at craft shows, because I know how much effort goes into what is being sold. I'm very happy to pay what is asked if it's something I really want. I could not sell at craft shows, because so many 'customers' are looking for bargains and don't appreciate all the time and work in the crafts they see.

Anytime I know I'm going to a sale or anything I know how much I'm going to spend. I take no more than that. I don't usually haggle and I appreciate the work they've done. I hate when some one says "Why so much? Then believe me they get the "what fors".