Archived Guests asking for discounts at checkout?

[targetarget]

Lately I've had several guests asking for discounts on things that are opened/damaged/etc. Generally I try to "vibe" and offer the guest 10-15% off, but I was wondering what best practice for this is?

I've noticed that some people try to get a discount on the silliest things. (I tend to give 10% off for these requests. They get all excited because they don't realize they're only saving a dollar or so. Ha!) For example, a lady bought a plastic tub the other day and her lid was a different shade of blue than the tub. She claimed there were none of the right color. For the sake of saving time I offered her 10% off. Comments?

 

[mrknownothing]

I was told only to do it if the item is damaged in any way. I would consult with your GSTL as to when it's appropriate.

 

[SuzyTarget]

This is probably something each store handles its own way, but what I have done is to scan the item to verify it's the only one left in stock and, if it is, I scan it under Single Item Markdown see what the As Is or Repackage price would be if we retagged it and offer it to them for that price. If the damaged is minimal though, I think an on-the-fly discount of 10-15% is appropriate.

 

[buliSBI]

Just to add, double check to make sure it is the last item in stock. You wouldn't believe how many guests will scratch or dent something on purpose just to get the item at a discounted price. If its not the last item, inform the guest you will be glad to switch the damaged item for the better one. Then Defect the the damaged on.

If it something where the damage will noticeably affect the quality or structure of the product, then don't sell. Ex. open food packaging or items with a seal. Can goods come with the territory. No discount. An item with scratches or dent. Ok as long as its minor.

 

[Mr Quickart]

Seeing as this is a recurring issue at our store, largely from our friends to the north, we are incredibly strict on what we do. We only give discounts if the product itself is damaged. To us the packaging is not part of the product so if it is only the package that is damaged than you are SOL at our store.

The highest I ever personally go is 15%, on rare occasions up to 25% if it seems legit. If I get a lot of these requests in a day it starts to anger me so I have noticed my discounts get lower and lower as the day goes on. One time I got so many of these I gave one guest 2% off for something trivial. It amounted to about $.50. I know it's not very vibe-tastic, but I have to keep the stores intended profits where they should be.

Another tip would be to try and read the guests face while talking about a potential discount. I have been GSTLing long enough to be able to tell people who may have intentionally damaged it versus someone who did not.

 

[redeye58]

Had a guest who wanted a discount on a board game because the shrinkwrap was torn in one corner.
Ah, no...

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Had a guest who wanted a discount on a board game because the shrinkwrap was torn in one corner.
Ah, no...

Not happening. Grabbing a blow dryer to fix it.

 

[StaticSun]

10% is my limit.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

10% is my limit.

Same here.

 

[Frizzo the Clown]

I've had a few guests open items to look inside, then demand a discount because the item was open.

 

[pzychopopgroove]

I've had a few guests open items to look inside, then demand a discount because the item was open.

At my current job those "guests" would be told to "fxck off and stop scamming the store"

 

[Frizzo the Clown]

We had a Sr. TL that opened an iPad for a guest to look at (an act that, by itself, pissed me off), then gave the guest a discount on it because it had "been opened."

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

We had a Sr. TL that opened an iPad for a guest to look at (an act that, by itself, pissed me off), then gave the guest a discount on it because it had "been opened."

Grrrrrrr. That won't happen at my store. I show them my iPad or itouch & go from there.

 

[TargetOldTimer]

We had a Sr. TL that opened an iPad for a guest to look at (an act that, by itself, pissed me off), then gave the guest a discount on it because it had "been opened."

Wow, didn't think we could discount Apple products in any way...

 

[Frizzo the Clown]

Grrrrrrr. That won't happen at my store. I show them my iPad or itouch & go from there.

It should'nt have happened at my store. I didn't find out about it until after the fact. I was livid.

Wow, didn't think we could discount Apple products in any way...

We're not really supposed to.