When A Client Asks For A Discount
Discounts, Savings, Special Offers
Are you a fan of a good bargain? I am, I love a good deal! Now, flip it around. When your client asks for a discount, do you dread responding?
For those thinking, “Oh, I hate when a client asks me for a discount” or “Dang it, now if I don’t offer a discount, I’ll lose the business,” this is for you.
We have a society where discounts, savings, & special offers are the norm. People have been taught to ask for discounts. It’s not personal and it’s not a reflection on your product/service when someone asks you for a discount.
How many times has a friend shared with you some great deal they got just by asking?
A sales trainer once told me when buying his wife a Christmas present, he asked the sales person if she could “throw in” something extra. She said, “Yes” and gave him a free gift. He then asked if she had anything else she could throw in. She said, “Yes” and gave him another free gift. He kept asking and she kept saying, “Yes” and giving him more stuff. After six times of him asking, and her saying, “Yes,” she finally said, “Sir, that’s really all I can give you.”
His response, “Oh, ok, thank you.”
He had every intention of buying the initial present regardless of being offered anything extra. He was only asking to see how many times she’d say, “Yes” before she told him “No.” It was a game to him. He walked away with seven presents for his wife, one he paid full price for and six he got for free because he asked.
It’s important to know, just because someone asks for a discount, doesn’t mean you have to give one and more importantly, it doesn’t mean you’ll lose the sale if you don't offer a discount.
Of course, how you respond to them asking for a discount will play a huge role in the outcome.
Here’s a suggested response as well as a real-life example to demonstrate how to use the Savvy Selling Tip.
Suggested response when asked for a discount you’re either unwilling or unable to give: “I appreciate you asking for a discount, here’s what I can do for you…”
The reason for saying, “I appreciate you asking..,” is to acknowledge you’ve heard the request.
The next part, “…here’s what I can do…” offers you the chance to layout options available to the client so they can make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Here’s an example from a client I work with regularly:
My client, *Lucy (who offers a service in an industry with tons of competition and varying price points), booked an appointment for a new customer. Before the customer came in for her scheduled appointment she sent an email to Lucy stating that she found someone else who provides a similar service at a much lower price. She wanted to know if Lucy would match the price.
Lucy called me wanting to know how to respond.
When I asked Lucy if she wanted to discount her services to keep this client she said, “No, I’ve spent too many years honing my skills, not to mention the investment I’ve made in my business, I just can’t match that price.”
Even though Lucy was sure she’d lose the customer if she didn’t offer a discount, she agreed to give my strategy a try.
We worked on specific language to phrase her response using the tip, “I appreciate you asking, here’s what I can do…” Lucy outlined her packages as well as the services her customer would receive during her appointment.
The result, Lucy’s customer not only kept the appointment, she actually bought the most expensive package available.
When you’ve done a good job of understanding your client’s needs and demonstrating how your product/service meets their needs, saying “no” to a discount rarely costs you the business.
What have you experienced when a client asked you for a discount and you stayed firm on the pricing?
*Out of respect for privacy, my client’s real name and the industry she’s in is not disclosed in this post.Nikki would like to invite you to join the Sales Maven Society, don't miss this opportunity for you and Nikki to work together. Bring your questions, concerns, sales challenges, and she provides answers and guidance to boost your confidence. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click add to cart, and then checkout and use coupon code: 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!
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