Frugal living: It never hurts to ask...

[soupcxan]

Most people would be amazed at what you can get (or money you can save) just by asking. Recent examples from my life:

1. Bank charged me a $7 maintenance fee because my balance went below the minimum for one day in the month. I called them up and asked them to waive the fee, and they did. All it takes is a phone call.

2. Moved to a new state and got a notice about changing my insurance policy. Called them up and said I could run out the current policy or get a new one now. I asked them how much a new one would be (same car, no tickets, no claims) and it's $320 cheaper per year! No brainer to switch on the spot.

3. Took the car into the shop for a gremlin in the transmission (under warranty). They asked if I needed any regular maintenance done while it was there. I said, it needs an oil change and tire rotation (it does) but would you consider doing it as a courtesy since this is the second time I've brought the car in for the transmission. No problemo, $50 saved.

As my parents often told me...the worst thing they can say is "no."

 

[haha]

Most people would be amazed at what you can get (or money you can save) just by asking. Recent examples from my life:

As my parents often told me...the worst thing they can say is "no."

These three things are worth several lifetimes of cleaning plastic bags and picking up pennies.

Mikey

 

[soupcxan]

To be fair, I also pick up pennies (found one today). I store them up until I can convert them to nickels or dimes using the change dish at work, then I put them in my car to use in at parking meters.

These three things are worth several lifetimes of cleaning plastic bags and picking up pennies.

Mikey

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I pick up all the change that I drop, and make nasty faces and "grrr" noises at anyone I find looking.

 

[sgeeeee]

This is beginning to sound more and more like the famous dryer sheet thread. . .

I take the grate off of sewer drain covers where there is a lot of foot traffic. I climb in and re-cover the drain. Then I spend hours waiting for pennies to roll down.

And I like it

 

[Mr._johngalt]

Most people would be amazed at what you can get (or money you can save) just by asking. Recent examples from my life:

1. Bank charged me a $7 maintenance fee because my balance went below the minimum for one day in the month. I called them up and asked them to waive the fee, and they did. All it takes is a phone call.

2. Moved to a new state and got a notice about changing my insurance policy. Called them up and said I could run out the current policy or get a new one now. I asked them how much a new one would be (same car, no tickets, no claims) and it's $320 cheaper per year! No brainer to switch on the spot.

3. Took the car into the shop for a gremlin in the transmission (under warranty). They asked if I needed any regular maintenance done while it was there. I said, it needs an oil change and tire rotation (it does) but would you consider doing it as a courtesy since this is the second time I've brought the car in for the transmission. No problemo, $50 saved.

As my parents often told me...the worst thing they can say is "no."

Now you're talking. I won't bore you with all the money I've saved by doing this, but it'a a pile. DW pulled off a good one last week.
We were looking for a davenport (used of course). Found one in a
resale shop. Comfy, clean, right color and marked $100. That is
an unbelievable price outside of a yard sale or flea market.
Anyway, some youngsters had just bought a huge loveseat and couldn't get it out the door. Within minutes DW came to their rescue, had the legs removed and the unit tipped on end. Just made it. Anyway, while
I am getting the truck DW says to the clerk "Could you do any better
on that price?" Clerk says, "Like what?" DW, "How about $80?"
Clerk, "For all your help, you can have it for $75!"

JG

 

[TromboneAl]

These stories all illustrate an important point: Knowing how and when to ask is important. If you give the person a reason to lower the price, they're much more likely to do it.

For example, if Soupxcan had just asked "Can you give me a free oil change?" he might have been turned down. But by asking "Since I've been in twice can you do the oil change as a courtesy?" it gives the service person a justification. You might say It gives them a way to reduce the price without losing face.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

SG - a better idea. Wait for someone carrying a purse to approach the manhole cover and spring out going 'balooga booga booga'. Good chance they'll drop the purse. You grab it and disappear down the manhole. Its practically foolproof. When she goes to the cops and tells them what happened, they'll have her locked in the looney bin.

"Yeah, this is the woman who thinks a guy jumped out of a manhole, stole her purse and disappeared back down the hole".

 

[sgeeeee]

SG - a better idea.  Wait for someone carrying a purse to approach the manhole cover and spring out going 'balooga booga booga'.  Good chance they'll drop the purse.  You grab it and disappear down the manhole.  Its practically foolproof.  When she goes to the cops and tells them what happened, they'll have her locked in the looney bin.

"Yeah, this is the woman who thinks a guy jumped out of a manhole, stole her purse and disappeared back down the hole".

Good idea. I'll have to work on the "balooga booga booga" thing. It needs to come natural and role off my tounge.

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

See, you'd have had a leg up if you'd followed my advice on your trip to DC by climbing the white house fence while alternatively ululating and screaming "death to america!". That ululating thing is a natural precursor to "balooga booga booga".

 

[LEX]

For those on this thread who seem jaded by their negotiating success: NO.

 

[Zipper]

If I see a penny or 2 on the sidewalk, or if I drop a couple of cents.......I don't even think of picking them up.

Nickels, dimes and quarters, I do the stoop.

Saw a $10 bill on the sidewalk beside a parking meter and had an orgasm!

.......and the parking meter still had an hour remaining. BONUS!

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Sears sent me a badly dented fridge last week; got them to upgrade me to the next step up in the line for my troubles...saved $107. That one was delivered today with a very, very minor 3" long crease on the side near the bottom where its hidden by my counter. Asked for some $ back and got another $100 off.

I think my refrigerator debacle is now over...

 

[REWahoo]

I think my refrigerator debacle is now over...

Cool!

REW, 14 days to eR!

 

[Nords]

I think my refrigerator debacle is now over...

So, did Sears offer you an extended warranty?

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Eh, its 1 year on the unit and 5 on the sealed refrigeration parts. I've never ever had any problems with a refrigerator until they hit 20 years. The two repairmen that came out told me to buy a whirlpool, said they hardly ever have trouble and when they do whirlpool bends over backwards to make it right. They said to avoid GE and Maytag.

But yes, an extended warranty is available if I want one.

My next job is hiking the GE stove out of the kitchen and replacing it with a nice frigidaire glass top with convection oven I was pondering over last week. Until those two letters are 100% removed from my home, I wont rest well...

 

[Spanky]

See, you'd have had a leg up if you'd followed my advice on your trip to DC by climbing the white house fence while alternatively ululating and screaming "death to america!". That ululating thing is a natural precursor to "balooga booga booga".

Could this be a suicidal mission? See what almost happened to the plane that was 20 miles near the white house.

 

[BUM]

Eh, its 1 year on the unit and 5 on the sealed refrigeration parts. I've never ever had any problems with a refrigerator until they hit 20 years. The two repairmen that came out told me to buy a whirlpool, said they hardly ever have trouble and when they do whirlpool bends over backwards to make it right. They said to avoid GE and Maytag.

But yes, an extended warranty is available if I want one.

My next job is hiking the GE stove out of the kitchen and replacing it with a nice frigidaire glass top with convection oven I was pondering over last week. Until those two letters are 100% removed from my home, I wont rest well...

About 18 months ago we trashed a GE fridge, GE dishwasher and brand x range. All bought from Lowe's (Frigidaire) except DW had to pick her own DW. She liked the Kenmore. Interestingly the newer high capacity DWs put the motor in the rear and yield more space up front. DW didnt like that because the design is far less ergonomic...to much bending and lifting she says. Anyway the Kenmore as well as the Frigidaires are champs. BTW The filtered water feature is a home run. Our tap mounted Brita is outta here, along with GE Get Even.

PS I worry about glass top anything in the kitchen.

 

[Mr._johngalt]

About 18 months ago we trashed a GE fridge, GE dishwasher and brand x range. All bought from Lowe's (Frigidaire) except DW had to pick her own DW. She liked the Kenmore. Interestingly the newer high capacity DWs put the motor in the rear and yield more space up front. DW didnt like that because the design is far less ergonomic...to much bending and lifting she says. Anyway the Kenmore as well as the Frigidaires are champs.  BTW The filtered water feature is a home run. Our tap mounted Brita is outta here, along with GE  Get Even.

PS I worry about glass top anything in the kitchen.

Our fridge and microwave are both GE, bought used and cheap!
DW finally convinced me the double oven (Kenmore) had to go.
Sooooooooo I did what I always do, i.e. shopped resale and consignment
stores first. I probably would have bought something. In fact, I found
one place run my a woman and her Mom which had a huge inventory.
I think the ad said "Most Used Appliances you Ever Saw". I was impressed. However, DW opined that she deserved better and didn't
want someone else's dirt. She won me over, so I bought the cheapest new one I could find (after about 10 phone calls). They deliver it today.
Now, if it was only me, I would just cook in the charcoal grill and the
microwave, and sell that big old double oven for scrap

JG

 

[Martha]

We bought a glass top stove from Sears with a convection oven. Got it real cheap because the bottom drawer wouldn't open. When the stove was delivered and installed, the delivery guy fixed the drawer.

Very happy with it.

 

[BUM]

Hi Martha,

DW went for the convection oven too. I was skeptical at first. It seems that the only modification to a regular oven is a fan that circulates hot air. Regardless DW can now roast her bird in nothing flat. Ummmmmmmmm roast chicken...

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

I *love* convection ovens and miss the one from my old macmansion. Roasts and any baked goods are simply 900 times better. I havent always noticed speed improvements, but you do get them sometimes.

Our new fridge is now fully operational and all the food has been xferred over. Nice and frosty.

Love the filtered cold water right out of the door too. Our Brita is about to be retired.

You probably like Kenmores because Whirlpool and Frigidaire make most of their stuff.

Anyone looking for a super deal on a new glass top convection oven, check out this frigidaire at sears:

Black Frigidaire 30 in. Electric Self Clean Freestanding Range with Radiant Elements

Sears item #02261829000 Mfr. model #GLEFS79DB

Radiant glass cooktop, self cleaning convection oven, etc for $649. Next cheapest I could find with these features is almost $900. Saw it in the store, looks really nice.