I Asked for a Bargain Every Time I Opened My Wallet for a Month—Here's What Happened

You'll never believe how much one woman saved just by asking for discounts.

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Ruth Zadel, 67 from Milwaukee, isn't shy, but about a year ago she noticed that her boyfriend was comfortable asking for a deal—in fact, he seemed to enjoy it. Faced with many purchases in a prime gift-buying month, she became more outspoken for WD's challenge, vowing to ask whenever she opened her wallet.

HOW SHE DID IT: Ruth borrowed her boyfriend's low stress approach: Start negotiations with a big smile. "If I'm friendly, they're more likely to say yes." She tried lines like, "Do you have coupons that I can use at the register?" or "What's the best deal you'd consider for this?"

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WHAT WORKED: Ruth had the best luck in stores that weren't crowded: "When there are five other shoppers around, the salesperson worries about all of them wanting the discount too.

WHAT DIDN'T WORK: Sometimes store clerks wouldn't budge. "At one store, there was a missing button on a dress so I asked for a price reduction, but they told me that because it was on sale they wouldn't reduce it any more," she says. Ruth had already decided she wouldn't buy the dress at its current price, so she put it back.

TOP TIPS: Don't forget the senior (or military) discount. "So many places offered it but didn't advertise it," she says. And don't assume bargaining only happens in person. "The Thomas Kinkade online studio was selling pictures for $89.99, and I wanted to buy one for my daughter, so I emailed and told them she is a collector and asked what their best price was," Ruth says. "I got a picture for $64.99, and my daughter was thrilled." 

Ruth is now a committed bargainer. "I can live off my social security and part-time job, no problem, but the more money I save, the more I can travel to visit my family and friends." 


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