Comments on: Is asking for a discount appropriate?

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 13:31:56 +0000

I work in a christian bookshop and I’m always asked for a discount, my problem with people asking for a discount is that we struggle to pay the bills at it is so can’t give any discounts, we don’t over price our books so see no reason too.

People get so pushy when I say no. Especially dare I say it pastors of churches. I want to tell them if the books are really needed for the church then God will provide. My church has no problems (at l;east financial) at all, God is blessing us in every way!

We are not in a business that makes money, so we do the best we can. But i do wish people would think before they ask.

Would you ask for a discount in a charity shop?

By: rous

rous — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:53:19 +0000

Maybe Mike should have stopped to think what he would say if their positions were reversed.

I have never had the nerve to ask for a discount just because we went to the same church. As a musician who does weddings and such, I have offered discounts or even free services, when I wanted to. When younger and naive, I gave family free service because they were family. (Some of them were the very ones telling my mom she was wasting money on my musical education!) No longer. It has to be a choice whether or not Joe wants to give the discount, not because he is pressured into it.

By: Joan

Joan — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:29:41 +0000

Reminds me of a brother who does charcoal drawings/caricatures. If you ask him his price he’ll say – $100 for Non-Christians, discount of 10% for Christians, but for backsliders like you, plus 20%. All in good fun, of course.

By: Steph

Steph — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:41:36 +0000

I realize that I am late in replying/commenting on this issue – it has been a busy week for me. This issue has come up many times for my son, who is a family law attorney. He also attends a large church in the area and, as a result, the pastoral staff often refers church members to my son (and other attorneys too – don’t want to give the impression that he is the only one that is referred to). I can’t tell you how many times potential clients/church members walk in the door expecting a discount and/or a free consultation from him. In the early days of opening his practice, it was a huge financial struggle for him to keep afloat, pay the office bills and home bills. His hourly rate was actually lower than the prevailing hourly rate in the area because he figured that he was new in the practice of law as well as new in the area. Made no difference…church members expected him to give a lower rate and/or free consultation. Attorneys have nothing to sell but their time and expertise. Not only that, but it seemed some really strange “members” showed up at his door too. I agree with Bob that to be a blessing to a fellow “brother” or “sister”, offer more than the price quoted to you! I believe it is more blessed to give than receive and it would surely be in this case.

By: The Big Bundle

The Big Bundle — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:52:51 +0000

[...] Is asking for a discount appropriate?. [...]

By: tom2

tom2 — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:04:18 +0000

I’ve never heard of anyone explicitly having a “brother discount.” Showing favoritism doesn’t sound like a Christian concept. It brings to mind Luke 6:32-36:
“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them…”

By: Wes

Wes — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:51:58 +0000

We had an very devout elderly man in our church who proudly displayed a sign over his antiques restoration business which boldly read “No Discount for Christians”. When people asked, he explained how he works hard to set a fair price for everyone and added how many time he was able to witness to non-believers over the message. He was a great man.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:08:40 +0000

Instead of getting the quote thanking him for his time, Mike seemed to think that he deserved something extra. I have seen this happen when my husband has ask for work to be done by a relative and thinking he should get a better discount. I told him they are running a business and if a discount is forthcoming he would be told and if not compare his price with other quotes and let them know your decision.

By: Jessica Sideways

Jessica Sideways — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:12:15 +0000

I think that it would be a bad thing for Christians to give discounts to other Christians. It is religious discrimination. We already have enough Nepotism and cronyism in America already.

By: Gholmes

Gholmes — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:03:24 +0000

@ Matthew
Right on. Joe should use humor and not get upset at it. Life is too short!!!!