Negotiating with online stores for better prices?

beachbride2009 · March 5, 2009

Has anyone tried or had any luck with negotiating better rates for bulk items for OOt bags? I'm looking at getting towels embroidered, and while my order isn't huge (only 50) the charge is $10 USD per towel plus shipping plus exchange, etc...I want to ask about a better price but don't want to tick them off.

Anyone had any luck with negotiating Is it worth a shot?

Jacilynda · March 5, 2009

You can always try. Although personally I think embroidered towels for $10 each is a good deal. For a nice beach towel to begin with they run around $10 and then to have your embroidery on them. Maybe some of the girls who had towels done can chime in on what they spent.

You still have 8 months are you sure you are going to need 50? Is there a chance you may come up short w/ 50? Alot can happen in 8 months. 3 months ago we were expecting 48 people and now it's only 35 of us and 3 are babies, so 32 adults. If i had ordered 48 towels at $10 each and now only 35 of us, i could have saved $130 + shipping

beachbride2009 · March 5, 2009

Very good point...I am just crazy right now with wanting to order! I am more worried about not having enough, but the minimum is 48, and we have 40 guests confirmed with about 10 as maybe...I'm pretty sure I can only buy them in bundles of 24 and there's no way we're having more than 50. Yes, it is a good price...just seems like a lot when I look at the total. Thanks for your opinion!

MarieSam · March 5, 2009

I agree with Jacilyn, lots can happen between now and your wedding to alter the numbers. BUT I totally can relate when you say you're antsy to buy things! I started buying OOT stuff a little over a year before my wedding and everyone thought I was nuts, lol. Crazy enough, it looks like I underestimated those who would be coming and now need to buy more!

As for asking for discounts/bargains/deals, I say it never hurts to ask. In fact, with the way the economy is these days you would be surprised how many vendors are actually willing to cut down or discount things just to get the sale.

Off the top of my head I can remember getting the following discounts just by sending a simple email (I've gotten more deals but these are the most recent ones I can remember):

1) Wedding website (weddingwindow.com), asked if they had any coupons or promotional codes -- a rep sent me a code for $10 off

2) My wedding dress, found it cheaper online so I asked several local stores if they could price match or offer me a better deal. One shop dropped it $400 to match the price exactly, the other discounted it $40 more than the website and offered me a huge discount on alterations.

3) Wedding decor website -- asked their customer service rep if they offered any discounts since I was ordering things in bulk (even though the total was only about $42) and they gladly said they'd knock of 10%

4) Oops and how can I forget!! My 2 photographers, the best deal of all -- an email to her (by referral) asking if she'd do my wedding for costs of travel/lodging only in exchange for 3 days coverage and all edited images on high resolution DVD. And she said yes!!! She also threw in a discounted local engagement session, and a free slideshow to music

$10 a towel at 50 is $500 -- for me that's a big costs, but well worth it for embroidered towels which I'm sure will turn out fabulous! But given you are spending so much, even a 10% discount on that would safe you $50, heck a 5% would be good too -- so I say go for it! It never hurts to ask in my opinion

estella1007 · March 5, 2009

I am using cottonfruit.com and they are charging me $7.75 each for 30x60 embroidered towels. $18.25 shipping cost for all. I am only ordering 24, so for 50 your cost should be less than mine is.

beachbride2009 · March 5, 2009

Yes, I'm going with cottonfruit as well. I chose the larger size (34/70) since most of our guests are really tall - includig me, I'm 6'1"! I figured the larger size would hopefully be used more often in the future. The cost is $10.25 per towel, plus $88 for shipping...and with the exchange rate to CAD it gets a little painful. Ah well, it'll be worth it in the long run to see our guests using them around the resort!

PS...I asked about any discounts and unfortunately no was the answer, but I'll try with my other purchases.

Thanks everyone and happy OOT bag stuffing!