Let’s Make a Deal?

Post #35

As we watched our supply of fresh food dwindle during this second enormous snowstorm, my husband and I pondered the prospect for shopping in the coming days.  We realized that in the past year, we have regularly patronized over a dozen markets and grocery stores.  With so many to choose from, I wondered how a company keeps a customer’s business, especially in a recession.

The other night, in the brief interlude between “Snowpocalypse” and “Snowquel” (or whatever your favorite names are), we visited one of our favorite grocery stores.  The produce shelves were virtually empty, and what remained was generally unappetizing and not worth the price, including a few bruised, old bananas. 

While I considered the possibility of baking a few loaves of my chocolate chip/banana bread, I didn't want to pay 58 cents per pound.  I asked the manager whether he would give me a break.  Instead, he insisted that I just take them for free.  “Really?  I’m happy to pay half-price,” I said.  By allowing me to have a few bananas, he made a $100 customer grateful to him and to his company.  It seemed a pretty smart decision on his part. 

The Washington Post recently featured an article on bargaining in these difficult economic times.  I admit to asking for discounts for damaged clothing or food I’ll use right away that are at or just beyond a sell-by date.  The article makes the case that negotiating can be a win-win and benefit both the retailer, who wants us to purchase from his/her store rather than online, and the customer, who saves money and gets the item immediately.

In our “new economy” when we are balancing our desire to protect jobs in our community while watching our own budgets more carefully, is this is a partial solution?

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader!  How loyal are you to local establishments?  Have you ever asked for or gotten a discount from the posted price?  Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views.  Please be sure to indicate which post (#35) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading.  I will post again soon.