Negotiating a Price Match

« Read the full blog

Posted in: Everything Else
May 28, 2009 by Amanda | Comments (5)

Jordana Bruner from Clutch 22 knows how to get things done her way. Check out these tips about negotiating your way for a cheaper pair of shoes.

Tips & Tricks:

Why it’s worth it: Along with combining the instant gratification of shopping in stores with the discount benefits of shopping online, you can also feel good about giving your business to a place you trust. As an avid online shopper, I’ve found this is a way to also support local boutiques. In fact, I bought my green Pour la Victoire sandals at The Finerie in Seattle. Endless had the same pair for a $25 promotion and The Finerie was happy to match the deal.

When you should try: If the product is over $100 and is carried by more than one retailer. You have to make sure the amount you’ll save is worth your time and in most cases, chain stores that only carry their own brand (e.g. GAP, Victoria’s Secret, etc.) will lead to a dead end.

The process: Once you know which item you’re looking for, determine which places are selling it online. Then, try to find a coupon code for one of those places – I use sites like Grechens Codes and Retail Me Not.

Getting the price-match: If you find a lower price, whether on sale or with a coupon code, the next step is to see if your local department store or boutique will match it. More often than not, they probably will. Someone is going to get your business regardless, so it might as well be them.

5 Responses to “Negotiating a Price Match”

• Twitted by CRAVEtoronto Says:
  May 28th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

  [...] This post was Twitted by CRAVEtoronto – Real-url.org [...]

• jordana Says:
  May 29th, 2009 at 12:04 am

  Wow, thank you so much for posting this! What a pleasant surprise to kick off the wknd!!

• Sara Says:
  May 29th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

  Great to see your point-of-view of Jordana’s post. It really isn’t just about saving money or finding a great deal, but more importantly, it’s about putting your money into local business. Your example of purchasing a pair of sandals in Seattle versus online, is proof that we can help ourselves by helping our local economy. Don’t get me wrong, I love online shopping, but that too can be done through local companies that will help us keep our neighbors in business. Shopping local is green and sustainable. Thanks ladies for briging attention to this money saving yet economy saving way of shopping!

• Lorrrie Says:
  June 9th, 2009 at 9:40 pm

  Thank you !! for reminding me to stand strong and negotiate. What could happen if I used this behavior – centered, grounded and asking for what I want – across the board?? Here I go! Appreciate the great example. Lorrie

• Liz Page Says:
  June 12th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

  I am the owner of a shoe store that is locally owned and operated. I found this story very interesting and somewhat upsetting. I would like to comment on what I find upsetting about this piece. Before you start the video if you read the print, it suggests that people should try to shop local instead of shopping online. I totally agree about this but in the video Jordana is shopping at Nordstrom to get a price match with an online retailer. It seems to go without saying but shopping at Nordstrom is not supporting local- its the largest corporate shoe store in America. Also- local boutiques cannot afford to always price match because there are real distinct differences in how online retailers operate versus local boutiques. The difference is that online retailers often do not “stock” their shoes like boutiques do therefore they havent invested in the shoes to begin with. The online stores frequently drop ship directly from the shoe companies warehouses. Another difference is that online retailers do not have nearly the same amount of overhead a brick and mortar shop has so its easier for them to offer discounts more often because they can “afford to”. I can appreciate in this economy that people are shopping more cautiously than ever before but I think if one is going to “price match” it should be within stores that have the same business models. Locally owned shoe boutiques do not have the same business models as Nordstrom or online super shoe stores. So before you go to your local shop owners and ask for discounts, I think you should consider that its not easy for us to always give a “deal” on a pair of shoes. Instead, ask your local shoe boutique when their sales are and get on their mailing list to find out when the sales occur. Shopping local is shopping smart and why not have the experience be a positive one!

Leave a Reply