Am I wrong to expect a discount?

pocketse

I saw a couch on the DFS website which retailed for €1299 and then another €80 on top of that for delivery. Went out to the shop to have a look at it and try a little haggling and also to purchase it. The item was not on sale and when i'm paying the guts of €1400 on a piece of furniture I expect a little leeway on the price. Was chatting to a young guy on the shop floor who basically told me that there was no give on the price of the couch or the delivery. Having walked into the shop with money and fully intending to buy it i ended up walking out not buying it. I wasn't looking for a huge amount off but after talking to him i didn't particularly feel like giving him my money! He wasn't rude or unprofessional but i just felt if i'm dropping that amount of money on something i deserve a bit of a deal.

I realise i'm probably shooting myself in the foot. Has anyone ever haggled in DFS successfully?

the_syco

Have you checked if http://www.dfs.ie/sofas/offers/ is of any use to you? I doubt they'd concede to any haggling whilst there's a sale on.

Soundman

Personally I feel that if you walk in somewhere and see something you like and somewhat accept the price, then yes, you are entitled to ask for a discount, but I do not think you deserve a bit of a deal. It is nice if you can arrange a bargain with the company but that is as far as it goes. Why should the company sell their product at a lower amount if they don't want to, or feel that they don't need to?

Just my 2c.

lycan238

Personally I do not see the point in haggling on a price whether that be in dfs or a charity shop. I do however admire companies who throw something extra into the deal to get you to spend your money in the shop by offering additional items or free delivery to a room of your choice.

to give an example my family bought a sofa and 2 armchairs in a small furniture shop for the asking price. the shop assistant had a nest of tables in the shop that we showed an interest in. when we went up to pay for the sofa and armchairs he said that he would throw in the nest of tables, deliver the sofa and armchairs to the house to a room of our choice and assemble said furniture and take away the packaging. We paid for our stuff and about a week later it turned up.

Soundman

Sounds like an excellent company to deal with, Lycan.

blindsider

OP - of course you should ask for a discount, and, IMO, they should be giving you up to 10%. (Or free delivery, or cushions for the sofa...but they should be offering sth.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9621892/DFS-sitting-on-record-profits-despite-dip-in-sales.html
The company, which sells sofas, reported sales of £625m for the year to July 28, down from £638m last year.

However, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation rose 2.5pc to a record £82m as DFS benefited from improved margins and the opening of 13 new stores.

EBITDA is basically Gross Profit - £82m worth. So, could they take a small hit on their 30%+ margin - 'course they could!

I would ring the store, ask for the Manager, and tell him/her what happened, and that you'll be taking your business elsewhere. If they offer to fix the problem, then you have a choice to make....

How much is the sofa on the UK web-site? If you convert it to €, do the prices match? www.xe.com

You could use that argument also

Best of luck with it!


I have (several times) opened my conversation with a salesperson as follows:

"Hi - how are you? (Friendly tone and smile.) I'm interested in this product - but I'd need a discount, I couldn't pay that price....."

It usually works, and if it doesn't, I walk.

lycan238

Soundman wrote: »

Sounds like an excellent company to deal with, Lycan.

it was a smaller furniture shop that has since closed down

longhalloween

blindsider wrote: »

I have (several times) opened my conversation with a salesperson as follows:

"Hi - how are you? (Friendly tone and smile.) I'm interested in this product - but I'd need a discount, I couldn't pay that price....."

It usually works, and if it doesn't, I walk.

I work in retail and I absolutely hate people who think they're entitled to a discount.

However, I'm more than happy to strike a deal with those who simply ask on the off chance they'll get a reduction. Being polite is key and any sort of self-importance will be met with scorn.

sandin

Considering that dfs have a "sale" every other week with ridiculous over inflated "after event" prices, I would insist on a large discount as this is the type of sales model they operate. Also check reviews of them in the uk - nit great.

As on another thread, I recommended Finline furniture at junction 15 of m7 (no connection to them) and several others seconded the recommendation. They make the furniture there. You choose everything. They are very well priced and you are supporting local jobs.

Mr Whirly

lycan238 wrote: »

it was a smaller furniture shop that has since closed down

Probably from giving out unnecessary discounts.

It's ridiculously tough in retail at the moment and most places have reduced their prices to as cheap as possible. Expecting a 10% discount is nonsense. If a shop can offer a discount they most likely have the product priced slightly higher to accommodate it. Always worth asking but if they say no they probably just can't afford to do it.

pocketse

Agree with most of the comments here. I didn't go in demanding anything and don't think i came off as self important. I was friendly, polite and tried to have a bit of craic with the salesman. My closing line was that id seen something in another shop that was cheeper but i much preferred what they were selling. If he could move a bit on the price i could do a deal there and then and i was a cash buyer. He said no, i asked if he could do anything on delivery and again he said no so i thanked him and left of the shop. I would have accepted paying full price if they threw something in. Will try Finline furniture tomorrow and see what they can do for me. Thanks for the suggestions.

LowKeyReturn

I'd shop around rather than looking for a discount. They can't the stuff anyway as they need to show sales, or at least consistent pricing on items. There is no such thing as a "sale" they way it works is:

Item worth €500

Item 'sold' at €2500 - one or two people buy, perhaps no one but legally company are covered.

Item is put on 'sale' at €1250 Half price!

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SALE I'M SAVING €1250!!!!!!!! S**T BUY 10!!!!

When I worked in retail some customer wouldn't buy something unless it was marked down - you could literally mark down dog turds and they'd snap them up.

Savvy shoppers know a proper bargain and don't get hung up on discounts - that's not to say a bit of haggling isn't a bad idea but it's the final step, not the first or only step.

EDIT: Bit of craic goes a long way - read your sales person, they're reading you. If you're not hitting it off try another salesperson or another store.

Mr Whirly

pocketse wrote: »

Agree with most of the comments here. I didn't go in demanding anything and don't think i came off as self important. I was friendly, polite and tried to have a bit of craic with the salesman. My closing line was that id seen something in another shop that was cheeper but i much preferred what they were selling. If he could move a bit on the price i could do a deal there and then and i was a cash buyer. He said no, i asked if he could do anything on delivery and again he said no so i thanked him and left of the shop. I would have accepted paying full price if they threw something in. Will try Finline furniture tomorrow and see what they can do for me. Thanks for the suggestions.

If you like the couch why not just buy it? Would you prefer to buy a couch you like slightly less just because they gave you a free lamp or something?

I don't really understand why people always need to feel that they are getting a deal. The majority of "deals" you see around aren't really deals. Companies change prices and lash a percentage off sticker on it and people are happy to pay normal price because they have been hoodwinked into thinking they are getting a bargain. It's insane carry on.

pocketse

Mr Whirly wrote: »

If you like the couch why not just buy it? Would you prefer to buy a couch you like slightly less just because they gave you a free lamp or something?

I don't really understand why people always need to feel that they are getting a deal. The majority of "deals" you see around aren't really deals. Companies change prices and lash a percentage off sticker on it and people are happy to pay normal price because they have been hoodwinked into thinking they are getting a bargain. It's insane carry on.

I do see your point. I do like the couch and still may buy it. But i will look around some more. I had read up on the shop before i went out and have read about their "sales". I'm of the opinion that theres always a little wiggle room and after reading online about that company assumed there would be there. I made it abundantly clear to the salesman that i was a serious buyer and would buy there and then but yet he let me walk out of the shop without engaging with me at all. Again i know thats his choice, but i walked out and he potentially lost a sale.

Regarding the free lamp, if i wanted a lamp and really liked the lamp then yep, i'd be pretty pleased they threw it in.

Mr Whirly

Fair enough. In that case I'd ask to speak to his manager but chances are that he was instructed not to move on the price. The manager might do though. If he doesn't I'd accept that price.

longhalloween

LowKeyReturn wrote: »

Item worth €500

Item 'sold' at €2500 - one or two people buy, perhaps no one but legally company are covered.

Item is put on 'sale' at €1250 Half price!

That's very true. Legally a product has to be advertised at full price for 4 weeks of the year. So I've seen products that are advertised at HALF PRICE!!! for 48 weeks of the year.

Most furniture companies do a price fixing period, where they'll choose a quiet month to bump up the price of everything, just so they can reduce it 4 weeks later to a normal price and put a big SALE sign on to trick Joe Public that he's getting a good deal.

jockeyboard

just read this out of interest. we too went into buy a couch in dfs and we asked about discount or free delivery. the guy didn't entertain us at all. it put me off. I understand what you are all saying bout it but when we went into a family owened irish furnature shop and asked the same thing the sales lady gave us a discount and free delivery!

I presume that shop still made a profit!!! my point is this, it made us feel 'good' and we will return to that shop and we have also told many many people about our good experience in that shop and will direct people there in a similar conversation.

also our couch was way nicer and built for us....google complaints and dfs!!!!

Mr Whirly

jockeyboard wrote: »

my point is this, it made us feel 'good'

That's the point of it I suppose. You probably didn't get a better deal though.

jockeyboard

Mr Whirly wrote: »

That's the rub I suppose.

that's it! I am that shallow! point is we are going back this weekend to buy more items!

Mr Whirly

jockeyboard wrote: »

that's it! I am that shallow! point is we are going back this weekend to buy more items!

Fair enough. Someone from DFS should have a look at the way they're operating. I suppose most Irish shops have cottoned on to the fact that everyone wants a "bargain".

jockeyboard

Mr Whirly wrote: »

Fair enough. Someone from DFS should have a look at the way they're operating. I suppose most Irish shops have cottoned on to the fact that everyone wants a "bargain".

for sure, we all love a bargain and even if a shop or whatever creates a 'false' sense of getting a bargain such as increasing prices online and then giving FREE DELIVERY it makes you more likely to buy from them. even though I know about this I still fall for it! lol.

we are all more careful with our money nowadays and therefore we all shop around. if one retailer is treating you better, you will support them (ESPECIALLY if they are IRISH!)

P.S BUY IRISH:pac:

also editing to add I always buy at best price although sometimes I pay a little more to support irish

Mr Whirly

jockeyboard wrote: »

we are all more careful with our money nowadays and therefore we all shop around. if one retailer is treating you better, you will support them (ESPECIALLY if they are IRISH!)

P.S BUY IRISH:pac:

Can't argue with that.

lycan238

lycan238 wrote: »

it was a smaller furniture shop that has since closed down

Mr Whirly wrote: »

Probably from giving out unnecessary discounts.

Not sure if i said this already but this happened a few years back. Regarding the quote above from Mr Whirly we got a nest of tables worth €120 for free the rest ie the free delivery to a room of your choice, assembly and taking away the packaging was already accounted for in the price. The Sales Assistant only gave the nest of tables free and that was without us asking for them. We simply showed a really good interest in them. We were also buying the sofa regardless of whether we got a free nest of tables or not. Also we had to wait a week or thereabouts for delivery as the driver was busy at the time business was really busy in that period.

Mr Whirly wrote: »

If you like the couch why not just buy it? Would you prefer to buy a couch you like slightly less just because they gave you a free lamp or something?

As above in my example we were buying the sofa regardless. I would also like to add for the money we paid it was a fantastic deal as the store appeared to have their prices very competitively set in comparrisson to the supposedly larger stores ie DFS Cost Plus Sofas etc.

ABajaninCork

DFS do not give discounts. I've dealt with them in London, buying a sofa for cash. They didn't even want to take the money, wanting me to buy the sofa on credit. Their stuff isn't the best quality either.

I'd walk.

Mr Whirly

lycan238 wrote: »

Not sure if i said this already but this happened a few years back. Regarding the quote above from Mr Whirly we got a nest of tables worth €120 for free the rest ie the free delivery to a room of your choice, assembly and taking away the packaging was already accounted for in the price. The Sales Assistant only gave the nest of tables free and that was without us asking for them. We simply showed a really good interest in them. We were also buying the sofa regardless of whether we got a free nest of tables or not. Also we had to wait a week or thereabouts for delivery as the driver was busy at the time business was really busy in that period.



As above in my example we were buying the sofa regardless. I would also like to add for the money we paid it was a fantastic deal as the store appeared to have their prices very competitively set in comparrisson to the supposedly larger stores ie DFS Cost Plus Sofas etc.

None of that changes the fact that the store obviously couldn't stay profitable and are now gone. That's bad business. Good for you obviously.

Probably wrong to expect it, but most definitely right to suss it out.

lycan238

Mr Whirly wrote: »

None of that changes the fact that the store obviously couldn't stay profitable and are now gone. That's bad business. Good for you obviously.

Not trying to argue with you trying to point out that we got a free nest of tables without asking for them or asking about any sort of discount at all. Also the fact that we were buying the sofa set anyway even without the free next of tables.

Neither you or I know the circumstances of how or why the shop is now gone. Indeed the shop could have moved to a different premises that I have not seen since.

rainbowdash

Mr Whirly wrote: »

Fair enough. Someone from DFS should have a look at the way they're operating. I suppose most Irish shops have cottoned on to the fact that everyone wants a "bargain".

If they are making £82 million profit I doubt they could be bothered!

Mr Whirly

rainbowdash wrote: »

If they are making £82 million profit I doubt they could be bothered!

Probably not.

rubadub

pocketse wrote: »

Was chatting to a young guy on the shop floor

I would go for older guys who usually would have more authority, they might also have more of an interest in the profitability of the company.

I would certainly not expect it as a rule, however I do know guys who have sold furniture for donkeys years and they tell me lots is sold at large margins, and so there is often large room for possible discounts, but only on certain items, some are already rock bottom.

Problem they have seen is that people might go to a superstore, get a 50% discount on furniture and then expect similar discounts in other departments, on say a console sold at a minimal margin. So the other salesguys end up with the irate customers.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

borderlinemeath

blindsider wrote: »

I would ring the store, ask for the Manager, and tell him/her what happened, and that you'll be taking your business elsewhere. If they offer to fix the problem, then you have a choice to make....

What problem? This isn't a customer complaint scenario. There is no problem, there is no contract, no sale has changed hands, you don't make yourself out to be a pain in the ass customer, that's one sure way of not getting a discount. It's customers that go in and demand to speak to the manager about a 'problem' that put stores off hagglers. It's absolutely not a customers entitlement to expect a discount like you describe.

How much is the sofa on the UK web-site? If you convert it to €, do the prices match? www.xe.com

You could use that argument also

It's not 2008 anymore :rolleyes:.
This has been done to death on these forums, stg isn't anywhere near as weak as it was, and it's highly unlikely there's much of a saving.

Besides, the threat of buying up north for something like a sofa from DFS may well prove to be folly. Their customer service reputation and quality isn't exactly outstanding, so trying to get recompense on something purchased in a different juristiction could well prove to be a nightmare.

I have (several times) opened my conversation with a salesperson as follows:

"Hi - how are you? (Friendly tone and smile.) I'm interested in this product - but I'd need a discount, I couldn't pay that price....."

It usually works, and if it doesn't, I walk.

For all the years I spent working in retail I wouldn't give a discount to somebody who opened up a conversation looking for money off. If I had gone through the features and benefits, developed a rapport with the customer, closed the sale and then at the end had they suggested discount, I would have either seen what I could throw in or round it down if possible. I was management and had some leeway on full price goods, but nothing on sale items. Head Office always queried goodwill discounts and you were hauled up if you were seen to be a soft touch or giving too many freebies.

Having said all that, OP I just wouldn't buy a sofa from DFS or any of those large chains. Inflated prices, unending 'sales' that aren't really a bargain at all, and cheaply made, mass produced, bad quality furniture.

Many moons ago I worked for a furniture retailer (way before all the cheap chinese furniture that's about today) and I still have some of their furniture 15 years later still in excellent condition. If you're going to buy a sofa, just lift up one end in the showroom. It should be heavy, hardwood, not lightwood. It will fall apart within a few years. For €1400 or maybe a little extra you will get quality furniture but you need to look in the smaller independent outlets or the likes of Finline or try this place
http://www.sofacompany.ie/contact-sofa-company.html. I bought two sofas here 7 years ago and they are still solid as a rock. I'm probably going to get one recovered as I'm bored with the fabric and there's a small amount of sun fading on one side (my fault, I never close the blinds)

ps, this isn't the company I worked for - the sofas there would be triple the price:eek:

slimjimmc

longhalloween wrote: »

That's very true. Legally a product has to be advertised at full price for 4 weeks of the year. So I've seen products that are advertised at HALF PRICE!!! for 48 weeks of the year.

Most furniture companies do a price fixing period, where they'll choose a quiet month to bump up the price of everything, just so they can reduce it 4 weeks later to a normal price and put a big SALE sign on to trick Joe Public that he's getting a good deal.

Not quite correct.
AFAIK there is no minimum period defined in law, but the law does demand the consumer must not be mis-lead on pricing. It is generally accepted that displaying the higher price for 28 days over the previous 3 months meets this requirement.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/consumer_protection/pricing/pricing_of_goods_and_services.html

BTW, the term "SALE" does not mean a discount is offered; stock is always for sale. It's only when the shop claims a price reduction or offers a discount the above rule on pricing takes affect.

blindsider

borderlinemeath wrote: »

What problem? This isn't a customer complaint scenario. There is no problem, there is no contract, no sale has changed hands, you don't make yourself out to be a pain in the ass customer, that's one sure way of not getting a discount. It's customers that go in and demand to speak to the manager about a 'problem' that put stores off hagglers. It's absolutely not a customers entitlement to expect a discount like you describe.



It's not 2008 anymore :rolleyes:.
This has been done to death on these forums, stg isn't anywhere near as weak as it was, and it's highly unlikely there's much of a saving.

Besides, the threat of buying up north for something like a sofa from DFS may well prove to be folly. Their customer service reputation and quality isn't exactly outstanding, so trying to get recompense on something purchased in a different juristiction could well prove to be a nightmare.



For all the years I spent working in retail I wouldn't give a discount to somebody who opened up a conversation looking for money off. If I had gone through the features and benefits, developed a rapport with the customer, closed the sale and then at the end had they suggested discount, I would have either seen what I could throw in or round it down if possible. I was management and had some leeway on full price goods, but nothing on sale items. Head Office always queried goodwill discounts and you were hauled up if you were seen to be a soft touch or giving too many freebies.

Having said all that, OP I just wouldn't buy a sofa from DFS or any of those large chains. Inflated prices, unending 'sales' that aren't really a bargain at all, and cheaply made, mass produced, bad quality furniture.

Many moons ago I worked for a furniture retailer (way before all the cheap chinese furniture that's about today) and I still have some of their furniture 15 years later still in excellent condition. If you're going to buy a sofa, just lift up one end in the showroom. It should be heavy, hardwood, not lightwood. It will fall apart within a few years. For €1400 or maybe a little extra you will get quality furniture but you need to look in the smaller independent outlets or the likes of Finline or try this place
http://www.sofacompany.ie/contact-sofa-company.html. I bought two sofas here 7 years ago and they are still solid as a rock. I'm probably going to get one recovered as I'm bored with the fabric and there's a small amount of sun fading on one side (my fault, I never close the blinds)

ps, this isn't the company I worked for - the sofas there would be triple the price:eek:

We're all entitled to our opinions, so in the spirit of discussion:

- the 'problem', is that I won't buy at full price. If more potential customers identlify full price as a 'problem' and don't buy....then it IS a problem, because sales are down.

- If companies are entitled to make profits, then I'm entitled to maximise my spending ability - by making my hard-earned cash go further.

- Stg v € - no harm in checking - it takes 2 mins online, and can be used as a bargaining tool. Some companies still have large discrepancies.

- I fail to see why, what is perfectly and completely expected in a B2B environment, seems to be causing (almost?) offence in a B2C environment. Ever deal with a professional buyer? They will hammer you for discounts - and when you think the deal is done, they'll come back for more. And, finally, when it comes to paying, they'll look for a further discount. And this is not for big orders - for big orders, they play really mean!

- I know very well that some sectors operate on low margins, and I'd expect little or no discount. However, when DFS makes a profit of £82m/€95m (and good for them) then there's margins in there somewhere!

sandin

slimjimmc wrote: »

Not quite correct.
AFAIK there is no minimum period defined in law, but the law does demand the consumer must not be mis-lead on pricing. It is generally accepted that displaying the higher price for 28 days over the previous 3 months meets this requirement.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer_affairs/consumer_protection/pricing/pricing_of_goods_and_services.html

BTW, the term "SALE" does not mean a discount is offered; stock is always for sale. It's only when the shop claims a price reduction or offers a discount the above rule on pricing takes affect.

Where some people get confused is that it us law in the uk that the price must have been available at the previous price for the 28days previous to the start of the discount - and this is flouted in the extreme.

If you have a chain if stores it only has to be at the higher price in one of them and an even better trick by furniture shops is that they just show it in one store in a "other styles available" instore catalogue which is technically available but never really shown.

Basically unless you know your stuff, never ever believe a "was" price fron any of these types of retailers.

borderlinemeath

blindsider wrote: »

We're all entitled to our opinions, so in the spirit of discussion:

- the 'problem', is that I won't buy at full price. If more potential customers identlify full price as a 'problem' and don't buy....then it IS a problem, because sales are down.

It's subjective though, just because you won't buy at full price doesn't mean that they should drop the price for you because you want them to. If a company is pricing themselves out of the market by consistently being more expensive then it's competitors then it IS a problem, but that doesn't appear to be the case with dfs.

- If companies are entitled to make profits, then I'm entitled to maximise my spending ability - by making my hard-earned cash go further.

It's your attitude that would be most annoying to retailers, going in looking for money off from the get go. I've dealt with plenty of people that didn't want to pay full price and they ended up coming back after pricing the country because we were well priced, value for money and offered good after sales service. (and depending on the product after sales can end up being worth a lot more than a few €€€ off)

- Stg v € - no harm in checking - it takes 2 mins online, and can be used as a bargaining tool. Some companies still have large discrepancies.

The ones that tend to have the large discrepancies are the larger multinationals that tend to be fairly rigid in their pricing structure and have little or no leeway for discounting/freebies.

- I fail to see why, what is perfectly and completely expected in a B2B environment, seems to be causing (almost?) offence in a B2C environment. Ever deal with a professional buyer? They will hammer you for discounts - and when you think the deal is done, they'll come back for more. And, finally, when it comes to paying, they'll look for a further discount. And this is not for big orders - for big orders, they play really mean!

And therein lies part of the problem. A buyer for a large corporation like dfs has huge buying power and can negotiate discounts based on that. The smaller independents can only negotiate so much for a order that may not even enter double digits. The smaller independent company retails a product for €1300 but offering a 20% off offer in sale, or maybe 10% off if pushed with haggling at full price. Dfs retails a similar product with "rrp €1300, now €850 for 48 weeks of the year. Probably taking a smaller margin for the similar item but slightly misleading the customer by inferring that the product was ever €1300 but capitalising on the independent stores pricing structure.

The last company I worked for had a waiting game with it's major competitors over their biannual catalogue release with prices. All sides would hedge their bets on pricing to try and be a few quid cheaper or offer the best deal to the public and each tried to negotiate the best deals with the suppliers to get the product cheaper than the competitors. At the end of the day the customer was usually the winner.