Haggling at WHSmith... I got 90% off

tonyivb

We have been looking to get Health dictionary/encyclopedia for some time, so I was browsing around in WHSmith yesterday hoping to find the big BMA one reduced (normal price is £35).

No luck on that, but I did spot a 'Daily Telegraph' one that had a tatty cover, and was an old edition, so with the recent posts about old stuff having '99% off' I thought I'd check the price... it scanned at the full price of £9.99.

I asked the Assistant if they would give a discount, she said 'normally we'd give 10%', I said considering it's condition and age I'd even be reluctant to buy it at half price. Anyway she called the manager who then offered 50% off, I said no thanks, saying I'd rather pay the extra to get the new edition, to which he replied 'OK, how about a quid?'.

I guess there are several morals from this...

1. always speak to someone with the authority to give discounts
2. never accept the first offer
3. never give the impression that you really want the item

robnye

well done.



as the saying goes..... it doesnt hurt to ask and costs nothing if they so no.....

nalibz

Well done, maybe i'll rip a few books and get discounts lol

Glad

nalibz wrote:

Well done, maybe i'll rip a few books and get discounts lol

which of course would be illegal so I guess you were only joking

Queenie

Well done!!! That's not only a great saving, but good advice too :beer:

nalibz - that would criminal damage

toozie_2

Slightly off the topic, but WH Smiths will give discontinued/old books to local charities. If your organisation writes to the manager with regard to the fund raising event, and follows up with a visit to the store, you should get a pile of paperbacks.

For a recent raffle we found some whicker baskets, and made up 'Night Time Sets' ( 2 free books, and Horlicks from the £1.00 shop). 'Bath Time Sets' whicker basket, with 2 books and a bottle of donated bubble bath. 'Relaxation Set' -Book and donated bottle of wine.

Sorry to go off on another tangent, it was the mention of WH Smith that did it...........honest!

Cariad_3

funny enough, I bought a brand new paperback book for my son the other day in WH Smith, originally £6.99 and because the cover was slightly damaged I asked if they would reduce it and immediately was given £2 reduction. Asked if that was the best he could do and in fairness the staff said he would call the manager, but I decided to accept the price.
I was well pleased as I didn't think high street shops would reduce items but I think that health book was a great bargain. Well done!

crana999

Waterstones will give reductions of I think 20% if an item is damaged - i think it *may* be if it's the only one left in stock, I'm not sure.