Asking for a discount!

[cassa333]

I know that all the tv programms say you should ask for a discount even in the big retail shops but can you do that in Argos?

I have to buy 4 flat screen TV DVD combis, from the charity I volunteer for, to give to a children's ward at a local hospital.

Who should I ask and what do you think is the likely outcome?

[Prangy]

why the hell are you going to Argos to buy TV's?!

[cassa333]

Because it is the only place that does the size we need in stock so why the hell not?

[Ethel]

If you are in no rush, write to them on the charity's headed paper:
Argos LTD, 489-499 Avebury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 2NW

Explain why you are buying four televisions and where they will go. Ask if there is a possibility of a discount, in return for an acknowledgement of their generosity. Mention the local free paper.

Email a copy of the letter to argos press relations:
[email protected]

And telephone the press office:
020 7439 2780


Good luck

[Prangy]

what size do you need?

[cassa333]

Thanks Ethal, I would have done that but the treasurer should have got them 2 months ago and now they need them next week. I will do that in future though as we need to buy a nursing chair and stool for the ward soon as well (they want the expensive one at �550 from John Lewis).

We need 2x 19inc and 2 x 22inc. The 19inc are not too much of a problem. I can get relativly cheap ones from Sainsburys but the 22 inc are the ones no one has in stock. The bloke in Currys yesterday said not many do them in that size with the intergrated dvd player that are available now.

[Prangy]

u should buy online, you will get a far better price, most places do next day delivery.

[Ethel]

Cassa - it is still worth phoning the press office. It only takes a phone call

[cassa333]

Thats a good idea.

Any idea of the number? Is it the same as customer services?

[Ethel]

I posted the number of the press office

020 7439 2780

[cassa333]

Thanks Ethal,

That was quick, I had only managed to find there charity email in that time...

[Ethel]

Any luck?

[cassa333]

I phoned them and she gave me an email but it keeps bouncing back.

I tried the customer service number but it is just for orders.

[Prangy]

cassa have you actually looked online to see what deals you can pick up?

[cassa333]

I have and I did get the email for their charity department but I have faffed around with contactng them and I have to go and pick the children up from school now.

I spoke to the press dept again and they have had problems with their computors...

I shall try again in the morning and then bite the bullet and get them.

Thanks for all the help though. I shall keep the numbers and sort it out earlier next time.

[chrisrob]

Found this on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/22-SAMSUNG-PLANO-3-WAY-T V-VIDEO-DVD-COMBI-CD-MP3_W0QQitemZ310083894696 QQcmdZViewItem
if you can collect from Nottingham

[Ethel]

That's not a flat screen though.

[chrisrob]

Sorry. Too quick

[what..the?]

I found amazon are very good price wise but I always buy from amazon themselves not the 3rd party marketplace traders, I dont trust them and their returns policy.

I would try and ring all the electrical companys (you can find your numbers online) and ask them about a discount, I dont know itf Argos would but I know places like dixons do what they call 'managers deals' where its down to the individual store managers to decide certain prices.

Can you go instore with information of the charity and ask them? You might get somewhere with the manager of the charities 'local' electrical store.

You could try the local store by popping in, or phone them buy looking on yell.com for their number, or try ringing the main central number referenced online.

good luck

[cassa333]

I have just got back from Argos and they have given me a �40 discount in store. I might still try headoffice again tomorrow to see if they can do any better.