Want a cheaper price at the auto body shop? Just ask for one!

I was reminded how simple it can be to get a discount at businesses simply by asking for one or mentioning that there are other options out there for their customers.   

My wife has an eight year old car and we took it in to one nationwide chain of auto service places last weekend for an oil change and they told her she needed several different things done, one of which was a new battery put in.  She got a quote ($200) and then we took it somewhere else today because the estimate from last week seemed really high on some of the other work it needed.  So we took it to a competitor with whom we have had better luck in the past and got an estimate for the other work that was much lower.  We also had them check the battery and they also said it needed to be replaced and that they could do it for $200. My wife responded with "oh well I got it at [third competitor] five years ago for $130.   Is that the best you can do?"

The store manager responded "the best I can do is $160."   So we had it done for that price. Amazing that all she had to do was mention a competitor and ask for a lower price and she saved us 20%.  Pretty simple way to save a lot.  

She has also saved significantly on realizes in the past by saying she is a teacher and pleading poverty which I found hilarious but was impressed when she revealed it had saved us hundreds each time. 

So make sure to try this next time you take car in.  Worst they can do is say no.