Do you ask for a discount?

Hi,

We've just moved to our 1st house and want to have our wood floors refinished.

We are getting quotes now and my dad said that we should ask for a discount. I'm horrible at asking for discounts, I just don't know how. Do most people ask for discounts on work done to the house?

My dad said that contractors, etc are more flexible now given the poor economy and I'll admit that with a new house, one income, and a baby on the way, we don't have tons of money.

What would you do?

Thanks!!

Re: Do you ask for a discount?

The only thing I ask if the price can be lowered if we pay cash.

Re: Do you ask for a discount?

I usually say s/t like: can you do any better, is that the best you can do, or in a "joking" voice you have to do better than that!

Or be honest, say times are tough, and give him a fair number that you are willing to pay and see what he comes back with.

Re: Do you ask for a discount?

Honestly, I would just ask if they can do any better, if they can, they can, if they can't then at least you tried.

Re: Do you ask for a discount?

It also helps to get quotes from multiple sources and ask one vendor to beat the other's price if you like them better.

Re: Do you ask for a discount?

It will get easier...

The floor guys say they'll do it for $1200 - say "can you do any better? how about $1000 even?"

If they say it'll be $1500 - say "how about 1200 and you've got the job?"

The worst they say is no...

Good luck!!!

Re: Do you ask for a discount?

I always ask for discounts, even in furniture stores. You'd be surprised at what you can actually get! If you or DH are any kind of civil workers/state workers, a lot of places give discounts!

Re: Do you ask for a discount?

We always ask if we give them cash, can they do any better. Sometimes we have even told them we would like to pay this price and they say yes or not. It doesn't hurt to ask. They will only say no they can't. But I have never had one contractor say they wouldn't drop the price if we paid cash.