Level 1 Haggler
Shoppers who want just some kind of discount, almost anything satisfies them.
Give me a discount because...
- I am buying more than one
- This is my first time shopping here
- I have sent a lot of customer to your store, you know my friend came by
- I have bought a lot of stuff from you, remember last year I bought a hijab
- I will tell all of my friends about you
- I am getting this as a gift
- Is that the final price? Can you give me a discount?
These are shoppers who have done their homework... they know what the competition charges, what their friends pay and even what it costs in the market overseas!
- I only have $15 so you will sell it to me for that price
- You sold it to my friend for only $15 so it is only fair to sell it to me for that price too
- I can buy it at the other store for $15 so you should only charge that much
- I can get that for $15 in Saudi Arabia why are you charging $50?
These guys just plain argue. They want to intimidate.
- You are trying to rip me off with those prices?
- You must be making a fortune!
- You charge too much!
- I want it, it is perfect but I am not going to pay that price!
- $15 is enough for it, you will take that price. They will usually repeat this about 3 times in your face.
These are just a few examples. One of our employees said she gets nervous when checking out customers on the register. I realized I do too. Sounds silly but it is stressful when people try to pick a fight over a couple of dollars. Our prices are very reasonable and are compatible with the local competition. Plus we carry high quality and allow people to return items for an exchange, no refunds. I encourage customers to try items on and open packages so they can see the size and feel the fabric. We try hard to make it a pleasurable shopping experience.
Here are some ways to combat haggling.
- Set your prices a little higher than you normally would. If an item is $10 tell them it is $12 but 'for you' only $10. I typically do not do this because it is not fair to customers who pay full price. I prefer when customer buys several we take a few dollars off. This way we reward customers who buy more. This seems to work for us as the best solution.
- Let employees run the store. If a employee is ringing up customers on the register and they say they cannot give discounts usually customers are understanding.
- Offer them a percentage off instead of dollar value discount. Sometimes when I reduce a price by $2 they are not impressed but if I say I will take 10% off they like that better.
- Keep a nice but inexpensive item near by you can throw in their purchase for free like a hijab cap or hijab pins. Customers love gifts. So even when you've told them no to their offer of a discount, you can make them happy when they leave with a gift.
- Prepare in your mind a list of quality value points you can bring up to educate your customers as to why your products are the best and worth every penny. The problem is they do not see the value of the item. It is your job to point out the special features.
- It is a good idea to have the same type of items in the store that are older styles or just not as fancy. Give them a comparison, oh I have this item for only $50 if the $60 one is not in your budget.
All in all we should look at the positive side of haggling. It is far better for a customer to share their opinions about your prices than to just walk out and never enter your store again. Even worse badmouth your store to all of their friends. When they make a personal comment they are fishing for a reaction. Every chance to converse with a shopper should be taken as an opportunity for a potential sale and insha'Allah personal references.
Giving in and allowing the customer a break on the price brings customers back plus gets referrals.
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