How To Threaten Your Way Into The Best Deal...
Sometimes a slight threat can get you a much better deal, this is when it's appropriate and when it's not
It is Saturday afternoon and hour two at the car dealership with your spouse. That red truck that your spouse wants is being negotiated with the manager. You saw that same red truck at another car dealership about 5 miles away for $3,000 less, but the manager won’t budge on the price. They won’t honor the competitor’s sales price for the exact same red truck. What’s a customer to do? You have three options:
1. Continue to negotiate with the manager to honor the price;
2. Pay full price for the exact same truck only a few miles from where you are;
3. Threaten to walk out and drive 5 miles to the other dealership and give them the sale.
Similar situations occur at rental car businesses. Unbeknownst to you, the car that you reserved has been given away, leaving you with no options. You have the option of threatening to go to another rental car service, or better yet, demanding that they provide a car (preferably an upgrade) at that moment and honor your reservation.
In the sales world, businesses depend on the sales transactions of customers. More and more department stores and home improvement stores are honoring competitor’s prices, with some stores offering an additional discount – if you threaten them.
Cell Phone Deals
Depending on what cellular phone carrier you have and whether you like them, when your contract is approaching completion, you have to decide whether to continue to be a customer. Poor customer service, inadequate phone signals, and extra miscellaneous charges can cause anyone to seeking out another cellular phone carrier.
A few months prior to your service contract ending, you will likely begin to get flyers in the mail, e-mails or perhaps a phone call. These savvy customer service representatives want to woo you with free phone upgrades, locked-in rates or special coupons. They really just want to make sure that they can depend on you for the next two years. If you sound just the least bit indecisive, they will likely present a 'special' offer just for being a long-standing customer.
By describing your complaints with their service, you may be able to get a better deal that you had. Some companies lock in customers with lucrative deals like 1 year contracts, unlimited minutes or credits. Businesses are doubling their promotional efforts and customer service base to retain and attract new customers. Threaten them with your dissatisfaction, and you are likely to enjoy a lovely upgrade.
Restaurants
Getting a good deal at restaurants typically occurs by way of coupons or grand opening specials. However, if you have a bad experience at a dining establishment, you may be able to get your meal for free or discounted. Now, this example is not about lying, but a genuine cause for concern. For example, if you find a piece of hair in your food and they don't offer a discount or removal of the item from bill, you may have an opportunity to challenge them by the poor dining experience. Explain to the manager that you really didn't enjoy your meal after finding a piece of hair in it and will tell others not to dine there unless the item is removed from the bill or discounted. Very likely you will be accommodated.
Hotels
This inconvenient situation happens often to travelers. You arrive at your hotel where you have a reservation, and the room isn’t ready yet. A member of their staff will suggest waiting in the lounge or coming back. Hotels have an obligation to honor your reservation and make sure that Plan B occurs in the event Plan A is not available. Hotels’ profits depend on occupancy, so if your room is not available, proclaim that you will book a room at another hotel unless they provide you with a room (hopefully it’s a suite) at the same rate, a lower rate, or for no charge for the inconvenience.
It’s important to note that getting a good deal on an item or service has less to do with downright lying about your problem, but threatening to not patronize their business for poor service. Some scenarios work in the customer’s favor, while some do not. Stores need your business, and they would rather have the sale and knock off a few dollars rather than lose you altogether
