Thread: Retail Decorations locally here...

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We have a big party store here called simply The Party Tree. It's for all holidays and such, but every Halloween, the whole store turns spooky. Inside a vortex tunnel and wall to wall props... during the off season, its mostly minor holiday decorations and party supplies. They always have masks though in the back of the store.

Since Michael's has there stuff out now, I figured I'd stop by there today. Good news and bad news... Good news was that there was 2 huge 80' aisles loaded with props...problem was...they are still in their boxes, as in fresh out of the warehouse left over from last year. Stuff thrown in garbage bags and carts.

I was snooping through and an employee asked me if I needed any help. I asked if they were getting ready to stock the shelves...she said not until late August. I asked her if the stuff was for sale yet...and she said kinda. Told me not to go rifling through the boxes, but if I saw anything I could buy it. She said they don't put it out now because other MORE SEASONAL items are still better selling that Halloween right now.

I'm wondering if I go and ask the manager if their is a discount on this OFF SEASON Halloween stuff, if they would discount the prices, because I found 2 perfect fake lighted cauldrons and skull dishes for my fence, but they were about $60 apiece for the lights and $25 for the dishes.

Anybody ever have any luck dealing with managers to discount stuff early or deal with bargaining with managers?

Absolutely ask if they can give you a better price.

My motto is "It never hurts to ask."

I got $20 off $160 power tool last week. It had a sign NEAR it that had $99 tool that was the same brand as the more expensive product, so it was sort of misleading and I bought it and noticed after the fact that it was the regular price. I asked to speak to a manager, politely explained that I purchased the expensive tool because I was mistakenly thinking that that sign applied to it. My mistake for not reading the fine print, but I explained that I would be returning the item if it was that price, and asked him if there wasn't something he could do. He had no problem giving it to me $20 off.

Be very polite, explain that you are interested in purchasing a whole lot of $$$ items, but probably won't unless they can give you a discount (this works well for when you're buying lots of stuff, too).

Something most people don't realize is that ALL managers have the power to knock 10-20% off of ANYTHING in their store, more so if it's a locally owned business.

The worst they can say is no, and if you didn't ask, you'll never know if they'd be willing to bargain with you.