How to negotiate a better price (a yard owner's perspective)
Hello everyone-
Every day I get asked for "special" pricing above my standard or tier levels that we set each day. Some of my customers are successful, a great many more are not. Here's a quick look at what works and what does not, at least at my facility.
1) Know what you have. If you are asking for #1 heavy pricing on a load of tin, it's not happening. On the other hand if you have structural steel plate or I-beams and want an upgrade over standard long or short iron pricing, you are on the right track.
2) Don't wait until after you have been weighed and paid to get upset at the pricing, the time to do this is BEFORE you unload.
3) Don't lie about the prices you were quoted on the phone. This is one of my favorites. I have actually used my security recordings (with audio) to replay my office manager's side of the call a customer made to our yard 30 minutes before he drove in.
4) Try to talk to a buyer, manager, or owner. The guy behind the scale is probably not allowed to make special deals, same goes to the cashier. Basically, most people at a business can say no, you need to find the person who can say yes.
5) Most important: be pleasant when you come in and try to get to know the employees. If you are a regular customer that everyone is happy to see coming in, you are already light years ahead of anyone else asking for a special price.
One final note- never be afraid to ask about a price that seems waaaaay off. Chances are a legitimate mistake has been made.
I hope this helps a little bit, please feel free to chime in with comments or questions.
