Amazon Prime’s Big Deal Days is this week and if you plan on trying to take advantage of the special deals, a world-renowned negotiator has come up with three interesting ways to up your luck in getting the best price possible.
Keld Jensen, founder of SMARTnership and author of the upcoming book, Negotiation Essentials: The Tools You Need to Find Common Ground and Walk Away a Winner, put himself in the shopper’s shoes and shared key negotiation tools you might want to try, not only for this Amazon sale but others down the road.
The three tools to a better price
Jensen told ConsumerAffairs that before engaging in any negotiation or making a purchase, the most crucial step is thorough research and preparation. That research should include understanding what the items you want are typically priced at. That way you’ll know how much – or how little – of a deal it really is.
Tool number two? You should be willing to walk away from something you want to buy if the seller isn’t willing to give you a better offer or an additional incentive.
The third thing that will give you an advantage are price trackers and alerts. “Price trackers will enable you to determine whether the Prime Day deal is genuinely the best offer, or if the item has been available at a lower price point in the past,” he said. “And sign up for price alert tools or apps that will notify you when the items on your wishlist are available at your desired price point.”
Utilizing price matching
Jensen says that once you identify the items you want to buy, check prices both inside and outside of Amazon. Then, ask the retailer that’s selling the item you want if they offer price matching.
Also, you should hang on to your receipts. “Some retailers offer post-purchase price matching within a certain timeframe,” Jensen noted. “If an item you recently purchased is available for a lower price on Prime Day, you may be able to request a refund for the difference.”
Negotiating tools for third-party sellers on Amazon
“Negotiating as a consumer, especially on platforms like Amazon where prices are generally fixed, can be a bit tricky,” Jensen told us. “However, there are some strategies you might employ to try and get a better deal or some added value when dealing with third-party suppliers."
Contact the seller directly: Politely ask if there are any available discounts or upcoming sales, and if you’re buying in bulk, ask if they can offer a reduced rate per item.
Leverage order history: If you’ve ordered from them before, mention your previous purchases and ask if they offer loyalty discounts.
Discuss bundle or package deals: If you’re buying a product, ask if they can offer a discount if you buy related products as a bundle.
Be polite and professional: Always be polite and professional in your communication, even if the negotiation doesn’t go your way.
Negotiate on shipping: If purchasing multiple items, ask if they can offer reduced or combined shipping. If you need something shipped sooner, you can ask the seller if they can offer expedited shipping at a standard rate. Many sellers mark up the cost of shipping to their advantage and as long as they’re making money on the sale, they might be flexible in the price of shipping.
Look for similar products: Sometimes mentioning that you’re considering a similar product from another seller might prompt them to offer you a better deal.
The abandoned cart trick: Nearly two-thirds of all online shopping carts are left abandoned which makes sellers crazy. Many employ sales widgets that will reach out to a shopper who left items in their cart and offer them a discount after a few days. It’s not a cinch, but it might save you 10-15%.
Offer to give them some extra promotion: Offer to promote their product on your social media in exchange for a discount, but be sure to mention that you’ll provide a detailed and honest review of the product.
Check for online coupons: Before negotiating, check if there are any online coupons or codes available that you can apply for an instant discount, and be sure to explore cash-back options through various platforms or credit card offers.
Make sure you understand the Return Policy: Be sure you understand both the return and refund policy in case the product does not meet your expectations. Amazon is pretty flexible on its own products, but third-party sellers might not be, especially the ones who operate from overseas.
Follow the seller: Follow the seller’s Amazon store or subscribe to newsletters to be informed about future discounts and deals.