Join my email book club. Over 330,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/
Dear Reader,
I bought a new writing desk this past weekend. Not exactly earth shattering news, or perhaps even column-worthy, but I absolutely love my new antique desk. And the bonus is--I got a great price because I asked the magic question, "Is that your best price?"
The "magic question," some days I'm just not up to asking. I don't really get any particular thrill out of haggling, but if I don't ask, I'll always wonder. Some people are insulted when I ask, or maybe just uncomfortable coming up with a reply. Perhaps they don't enjoy haggling either. But usually when I ask the magic question, the reply is: "I could give you 10, 15, sometimes 20 percent off," or "What price were you thinking?"
What price was I thinking? Smart cookie--put the haggling back in my lap.
My husband is uncomfortable asking the magic question, so he took me along to the store when he wanted to buy a new bass guitar. He knew exactly which one he wanted, so I volunteered to do the deal. The price tag read: "List Price $550--Now Only $359.99 Save: $190."
I'm never comfortable starting the conversation with "Is that your best price?" I like to ease into it, telling a story about why I'm buying the guitar, anything, so the salesperson and I get to know each other before I pop the question. Secretly I always take a deep breath before I ask. It's not really as effortless as I make it out to be.
But finally I did ask, "Is that your best price?"
The salesperson looked at me, was silent--for what felt like hours--and finally he replied, "What price were you thinking?"
Oh no, I hate it when that happens. 'Think Suzanne, think.' And the first thing that popped into my mind was, "How about an extra 20 percent off?"
And to my surprise he countered with, "You seem nice, how about $259.99?"
I'm not a math whiz, but a quick mental calculation suggested the price he quoted was better than my 20 percent, and indeed it was.
Happy salesperson, happy Suzanne, really happy husband. I'm so glad I asked the magic question.
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
http://www.DearReader.com
P.S. If you'd like to see my new writing desk and enter a drawing for a colorful, wear-it-around-your-neck bookmark, (I have four to give away) go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/desk2.html
AUTHORBUZZ: Don't miss a chance to find out about these great books (and win free copies) from these wonderful writers: John Lescroart, The Suspect; Kris Radish, The Sunday List of Dreams; Marilynn Griffith, Tangerine; Linda Lael Miller, McKettrick's Luck; and Kathleen Givens, On a Highland Shore. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader
READ THE CLASSICS: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=815&site=3
Comments