I’m not convinced. I’m looking to update my work PC so I’ve found a nicely priced online supplier in the name of Eclipse Computers. All of their component prices seemed reasonable but I was looking for more of an incentive to buy from them than just slightly-better-than-average prices. So I compiled a list from their webshop and emailed it to them asking for discount. The following is the conversation as it happened. N is me, EC is Eclipse Computers.
N:
Subject: Urgent price please
Hi there
I’d like to place the attached order with you and wondered what sort of discount or incentive you could provide if I were to place the order with you today. The order currently totals £938.04.
Please reply as soon as possible.
Many thanks
Neil
EC: I am sorry but the prices that are advertised online is the best we can offer as there are already discounted for online sale.
N: Could you offer carriage free of charge?
EC: I will have to check into it, Can You tell me other then carriage what type of discount are you looking for?.
N: Just what discount you can offer. The order will total £938.04 including carriage. Your prices are cheaper than most stores but not by a huge amount. I’m asking if you can give me an attractive discount to make me want to place my order with you rather then Dabs, Overclockers or Chillblast who I have ordered with before and trust.
Cheers
Neil
EC:I have spoken to one of my colleagues and we can offer the order for the parts requested at £782.61 ex VAT £900.00 Inc VAT with £19.95 ex VAT £22.94 Inc VAT P&P.
It’s worth pointing out here that they are offering a total of £15.10 in discount.
N: Thanks for the offer. If you could make it a nice round £900 delivered I shall go online and place the order straight away.
EC: I am sorry but the offer I outlined below is the best I can do.
N: That’s ok, thanks for trying anyway.
Now maybe I’m asking a bit too much to expect any discount on just under £1000 but with so many companies offering carriage free of charge on orders over £100 I find it quite difficult to believe that this companies margins are so tight that an order wouldn’t be worth taking with a 4% (approx) discount for doing FOC carriage. Despite the sales rep not signing their name on any of the emails they were courteous at all times and seemed to be trying to help so I can’t knock them there.
I have now ordered my goods from Overclockers and Custom PC Warehouse for a slightly less cost so in the long run Eclipse Computers have done me a favour 
To me just breaking even must be better than no sale but I’m not here to tell anyone how to run their business. If business is so good in this credit crunch that sales can be turned away then all I can say is ‘very well done’.
