What''s a good discount for a "mistake" dress?

[neatfreak]

So I went dress shopping today and went into a local store that does a lot of couture/made for the bride only gowns. Found one I love that is at the very tippety top (almost over really) of my price range.

Now here is where it gets interesting. Turns out, another girl ordered the SAME dress that I want but 1 size bigger and in white. The dressmaker messed up and instead made her the dress in ivory (which is what I want). So now my shop is getting in "an extra" Ivory dress one size too big for me. They offered to sell it to me instead at a discount.

The sample actually fit me almost perfectly, so this one size bigger thing means alterations too.

What do you guys think is a fair discount for this dress? They offered me 15% off the retail price, but then I still have to pay for alterations somewhere else, so I don''t know if this really saves me more than $100 ultimately.

I am HORRIBLE at bargaining, but I know that this potentially is a fantastic situation for me. What do you think is acceptable for me to ask for? Or is 15% standard for this kind of thing? Should I bargain? HELP!

 

[winternight]

Hard to say - its worth what someone will pay for it. I would tell them that your budget was 50% of the price of the dress and see what they have to say. 15% off is too low in my opinion.

 

[Gwyn]

I dont know what 15% of the dress price comes to, but I would try and estimate alteration prices and then tell them you want atleast that off.

 

[Gypsy]

I''d ask for 33% plus all alterations free. I''d settle for 25% and all alterations, except the bustle and hem free.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/3/2007 6:56:38 PM
Author: Gypsy
I''d ask for 33% plus all alterations free. I''d settle for 25% and all alterations, except the bustle and hem free.

This is a great post!!! Get out there and bargain, you have nothing to loose. They have a dress on their hands that they want to get rid of.

 

[Gypsy]

Whether it''s a mistake or not... they''ve already paid the dress manufacturer for the gown. So they have their $$ invested, and have to buy another. They aren''t going to get a break on either from the manufacturer cause it was their mistake.

SO... the longer that dress sits, the longer it takes for them to recover the money they put out.

AND the more they use it for a sample... the less it''s worth.

So it is to their advantage to sell it to you, and make it worth your while.

You have to negotiate with them to get them to see it from YOUR point of view.

Now they will tell you that it''s a popular gown, and they won''t have a problem selling it to someone else for more.

And you need to tell them to go ahead and do so. Because you could just order it new, it would be in your size, which would save you the extra alterations costs, and save you from having to store it in your house for MONTHS.

But you have to be ready to walk away. If they see that... they''ll most likely want to keep you as a customer NOW.

Because they know if they tick you off... with all the competition out there for dresses and shops, you may not come back to them for that dress... OR even want that dress in a couple of weeks... who knows what you''ll come across.

If they''re smart, they''ll realize YOU really have nothing to loose. And they do.

I do this all day long. It''s all about recognizing who holds the strength and the power in a negotiation. And in this case. You DO!

Good Luck!

 

[door knob solitaire]

My husband is the worlds finest negotiator. (Sorry he is not for lent..

) anyway his favorite lines are below...I have witnessed sooo many deals. He never leaves ANYTHING on the table. (he always get it much cheaper than he is willing to pay...)

First make sure you are talking to the principle party responsible for decisions. Not the counter clerk. They don''t have the authority to adjust prices.

At what do you have this dress priced? Never express happiness...or joy...only be perplexed...Even when they give you your dream price. Continue to study the dress as if it is not good enough for you. Study the seams on the hem...look at the button or the seam at the waist...when they do respond...say,

Hmmm, is that the best you''ll do? (once you ask this question...you don''t say a word...not a peep until they come back with a reply. This will be the most uncomfortable moment in time for you...but don''t make a sound!)

Reply not what you want?

Well, I will have at least $100 in altering the hem...then $60 in the bustle...I was planning on white...now this ivory color will mean other alterations in other areas...I do love the dress...but...the savings on this dress must be compensate for the changes in the decor as well as alterations...

Then, hit them with the big guns...go in prepared to pay a lower price.

Tell you what...I realize this dress was ordered by mistake you are ready to get this one gone..and I would really like to get this dress thing taken care of today...I am worn out in looking...if I pay cash today..."Whats the best you''ll do?"

This formula can be used at the farmers market...the furniture store...the car dealer...and by all means the dress store!!

Remember this is YOUR money you are spending. Don''t leave a single crumb on the table...You have not if you ask not...don''t act weak, don''t act mousey. Be confident and assertive. Not agressive. Not insulting. Just firm.

Hope you can gain something from "The Art of The Deal"

DKS

PS. never use the work "Can" (is this the best you can do...?) that is asking for permission. Use the pharse "best you''ll do" This is denoting a willingness to change.

 

[neatfreak]

You guys are the best! Gypsy and DKS thank you for your great negotiating advice. I think the "mistake" one is coming in today, so I will do my best when I go in to see it/try it this weekend.

There are a few things in my favor luckily:

1. It is kind of an expensive dress and I live in Madison, WI. Most girls around here DO NOT spend more than $500 max on their dresses, so this shop might really get stuck with it for awhile.

2. It''s a smaller size but fitted for a d-cup. So many girls would have to have the bust taken in quite a bit, so if they''re not willing to offer a substantial discount, it doesn''t make it worth it for many people.


You guys are right, I CAN completely walk away. I do love the dress, but I''m not someone who falls in love with one thing and can''t find something else. So if they don''t give me what I want I''ll walk away. I already told them that it was my first stop and that I wanted to look at quite a few other places before I made my decision, and I didn''t have people with me who were like "that''s the dress!!" or anything like that. So that is good!

I''ll keep everyone updated!

 

[So_happy]

Wow, DKS, that was really great! I''ll have to use that next time the occasion presents itself.

I personally think 15% off is a joke considering the circumstances! I''d like to see you get that gown at 25% off over and above what the alterations etc will cost you!

Seriously, what are the chances another bride would want that particluar dress in that color and design etc? For an additional 15%, a bride can have the exact design she wants....why bother? They need to be more accomodating than that.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/4/2007 11:02:03 AM
Author: neatfreak
You guys are the best! Gypsy and DKS thank you for your great negotiating advice. I think the ''mistake'' one is coming in today, so I will do my best when I go in to see it/try it this weekend.

There are a few things in my favor luckily:

1. It is kind of an expensive dress and I live in Madison, WI. Most girls around here DO NOT spend more than $500 max on their dresses, so this shop might really get stuck with it for awhile.

2. It''s a smaller size but fitted for a d-cup. So many girls would have to have the bust taken in quite a bit, so if they''re not willing to offer a substantial discount, it doesn''t make it worth it for many people.


You guys are right, I CAN completely walk away. I do love the dress, but I''m not someone who falls in love with one thing and can''t find something else. So if they don''t give me what I want I''ll walk away. I already told them that it was my first stop and that I wanted to look at quite a few other places before I made my decision, and I didn''t have people with me who were like ''that''s the dress!!'' or anything like that. So that is good!

I''ll keep everyone updated!

I did my undergrad at Madison!! It is such a special city. I try to visit frequently because I love it so much there and I miss the people who still live there. Enjoy it while you can!!!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/4/2007 2:22:19 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Date: 5/4/2007 11:02:03 AM

Author: neatfreak

You guys are the best! Gypsy and DKS thank you for your great negotiating advice. I think the ''mistake'' one is coming in today, so I will do my best when I go in to see it/try it this weekend.


There are a few things in my favor luckily:


1. It is kind of an expensive dress and I live in Madison, WI. Most girls around here DO NOT spend more than $500 max on their dresses, so this shop might really get stuck with it for awhile.


2. It''s a smaller size but fitted for a d-cup. So many girls would have to have the bust taken in quite a bit, so if they''re not willing to offer a substantial discount, it doesn''t make it worth it for many people.



You guys are right, I CAN completely walk away. I do love the dress, but I''m not someone who falls in love with one thing and can''t find something else. So if they don''t give me what I want I''ll walk away. I already told them that it was my first stop and that I wanted to look at quite a few other places before I made my decision, and I didn''t have people with me who were like ''that''s the dress!!'' or anything like that. So that is good!


I''ll keep everyone updated!

I did my undergrad at Madison!! It is such a special city. I try to visit frequently because I love it so much there and I miss the people who still live there. Enjoy it while you can!!!

That''s so funny! I''m doing my Ph.D. here, so unfortunately won''t be able to live here later, you know how it works! Enjoying it while we can, it''s a great city!

 

[FireGoddess]

Those are great tips Gypsy and DKS. *filing those away*

Good luck - I hope you get a better deal than 15%. They'll have to do better than that.

That barely covers the tax.