How to Ask for a Discount at Any Store

Most people never ask for discounts because it feels awkward. But stores expect negotiation in more situations than you think. The worst that happens is they say no.

The Simple Question

“Is there any way to get a better price on this?” Polite, direct, and surprisingly effective. Store employees often have authority to apply discounts they never offer proactively: floor model discounts, open-box prices, military/student/senior discounts, or manager’s discretion markdowns.

Where Discounts Are Almost Always Available

Furniture stores: Markups are 200-400%. Ask for 15-20% off. If they refuse a price cut, ask for free delivery (usually $100-$200 value) or a free protection plan.

Electronics at Best Buy: Ask if they have an open-box version of the item. Open-box items are 15-30% off with the same return policy. Ask “Is this the best price?” and the associate may check for additional discounts or price matches.

Hotels: Call the front desk directly (not the reservation line). Ask for their best available rate. It is often lower than what the website shows. Ask about AAA, AARP, military, or corporate discounts. Call later in the evening when empty rooms are more likely to get discounted.

Car dealers: Never pay sticker price. Research the invoice price on TrueCar or Edmunds, then offer $500-$1,000 above invoice. Negotiate via email with multiple dealers simultaneously for the best price.

Farmers markets: Ask near closing time. Vendors would rather sell at a discount than pack up and transport unsold produce. “Could you do a deal on those last 3 avocados?” almost always works.

Cell phone stores: Ask about promotions not advertised. Retention discounts, loyalty credits, and line upgrade deals exist but require asking.

Tactics That Work

Bundle purchases. “If I buy the couch and the coffee table, can you give me 10% off the total?” Giving the store a larger order gives them incentive to discount.

Point out flaws. A small scratch, a loose thread, a dented box. “This has a cosmetic imperfection. Can I get a discount?” Stores routinely mark down damaged items 10-25%.

Pay cash. For small businesses, credit card processing fees are 2-3%. Offering cash saves them the fee, and they may pass the savings to you.

Time your visit. End of month (salespeople have quotas), end of season (clearance urgency), and slow weekday mornings (staff have time to negotiate) are the best times.

Be prepared to walk away. “That is more than I planned to spend. I will think about it.” Walking toward the door often triggers a better offer.

What NOT to Do

Do not be aggressive, condescending, or rude. The person you are talking to is more likely to find a discount for someone who is pleasant. Do not lie about competing prices. Do not ask for discounts at restaurants (tips are the discount mechanism there) or at stores where prices are clearly non-negotiable (most grocery stores).

Ongoing Discount Cards

Student discounts: UNiDAYS and Student Beans offer 10-20% at hundreds of retailers. Many stores accept any student ID without verification through these platforms.

Military discounts: Most home improvement stores (10% at Lowe’s and Home Depot), many restaurants, and retailers offer military discounts.

Senior discounts: AARP membership ($16/year) unlocks discounts at restaurants, hotels, retailers, and car rentals.

Bottom Line

Ask “Is there any way to get a better price?” at furniture stores, electronics stores, hotels, and car dealers. Point out flaws, offer to bundle, and time your visit for end-of-month. The worst outcome is “no,” and the average outcome is 10-20% off.