It never hurts to ask.

Kate

I realized after placing the order for my new shoes that I still had a $15 off my next order at Zappos coupon that I hadn't used. I found my emailed coupon, and realized it was supposed to be used within 3 months of when I got it, and it had expired. Oops. But inspired by recent bloggers' posts about asking for discounts (http://www.punchdebtintheface......count.html) and being shameless (http://www.fabulouslybroke.com.....shameless/) I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

So I just had a quick online chat with a zappos agent and got $15 off of my shoes (!!!), even though the coupon expired and I was supposed to use it before the point of sale. This reaffirms my belief that it never hurts to ask, the worst that can happen is that they'll say no.

Has this been true for you? For anyone who works or worked in retail, I know that people ask for some absurd favors and really push too hard, so what's your take on the matter?

15 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Mo

Inge

(website)

Moderator

That's wonderful, Kate! Which shoes did you order?

Not a retail story, but a few weeks ago I had an electrician over to fix something, I still needed to hang a new lamp too. I asked him nicely if he had time and wouldn't mind doing that also, and the sweet man agreed.

15 years ago

cloud9

Veteran

I went on a tights binge and bought 5 pairs (even though I already had a few, and I'm new to wearing them). And then we had warm weather so I didn't get to wear them.. One of which I already tore off the price tag and tried on but totally didn't fit even though marked M/L. So I thought I'd try to return that out-of-package one with the others and see if by off chance they'd take it back... they did!

15 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Zappos absolutely rocks. Their customer service is the best I've ever experienced.

It never hurts to ask - so true!

15 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I agree it never hurts to ask. I just emailed flash sales site Ideeli if they would please extend the return option for a pair of boots that don't work on me, and they agreed without hesitation! I did ask really nicely.

15 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

Zappos is absolutely the BEST online sales site...I have had numerous experiences with their customer service where they went out of their way to help and please me...This spoils me for the companies who are not so helpful...
In return, when I am looking for something, I go to Zappos first...Sometimes I pay more for the shoes or clothes than perhaps another online store...But I prefer to shop where I know I am appreciated...ZAPPOS indeed ROCKS!!!!!

15 years ago

Diana

Veteran

In my experience, a lot of online retailers will apply discounts/promotions after the fact, as long as the purchase is fairly recent. (I don't know, maybe they would even do this with an older order, but I wouldn't feel right asking... ) I've done this at places like piperlime and endless, where a coupon code will come out like a couple of days after I place my purchase and they've always price adjusted for me... I think they realize that I could always just take advantage of the free returns and reorder it anyway, so it saves everyone time and effort if they just give me the price adjustment.

Also, I found out recently that Bed Bath and Beyond accepts expired coupons. We asked point blank last time we were there since we had heard rumors, and yes, it's true!

15 years ago

Auburn

Veteran

I agree that Zappos really goes above and beyond when it comes to customer service. They are the gold standard for online shopping, in my book, and I wish all online retailers would adopt their approach. I also hear it is a great company to work for which makes me even happier about shopping there!

I just had a good experience with Kate Spade, too. I bought a few things off final sale, including a turquoise pencil skirt. Though the skirt is my normal size, and KS usually runs big, if anything, the skirt fit oddly and was way too tight around my thighs. I called the online number and they said it was final sale and there was nothing they could do (even though I could see the larger size was still available online). Well, I took the skirt into my bricks and mortar shop and explained the situation. The manager actually accepted the return for me, credited my card AND gave me the numbers to two different KS outlets which she said would likely have the skirt for even less than the sale price (as it's an older item)! Very impressive service!

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Inge, the shoes are here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-new-shoes and here: http://www.zappos.com/product/7745456/color/200

Diana, that's great to know about the Bed Bath and Beyond coupons!

15 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Funny that you mention this, Kate. I was just thinking similar thoughts this afternoon. I'm a play-by-the-rules kind of girl and for a long time it never occurred to me to "just ask."

But I've been doing it more recently, and boy has it paid off. Most recently the electronic Bluetooth module in my car died...about 600 miles past the end of my warranty. Argh. So I took it in and asked if there was *any way* they might be able to cover it since the warranty had just expired? And they did their magic, fixing it for free, saving me...get this...$1700.

So I'm now a convert to just asking:)

15 years ago

Stephanie

Veteran

I did this at Urban Outfitters not long ago and had similar success--I placed an order, and a day or two later a discount code for 10% off came out, so I called them, and they gave me the 10% off, and cheerfully to boot! I was well and truly impressed.

ETA: unfortunately the things I ordered didn't work out. But it's the thought that counts.

15 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I asked at Herroom.com about a price match when the manufacturers own website had a bra cheaper. They did not match. I was tempted to do the return and re buy but I'm so burnt out on going to the post office I figured the less than $10 was not worth the fight lol.

15 years ago

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