The Magic Question that Can Save You Money

When making a purchase for something large, big ticket, expensive, or just plain meaningful, be sure to ask the right question to get the best deal. So what is the right question? and just how can one question give you the best deal? Simply put, your asking for the unseen, which is typically better then the seen. So what do I ask again? Ask to see everything.

Heres an example. You go into a cell phone store to purchase a new phone and plan. They have a huge banner up for an amazing deal, called the 39/39 deal. Sign up for a new service contract and get 1000 anytime minutes for $39.99 and get a Motorola razor for $39.00. Sounds great right? Now at times these deals may actually be the best out there but rarely are. You will notice they don't even try to sell you another plan, or if they do its always more expensive to make this particular deal more appealing.

Heres the trick, and this is only an example. With the 39/39 deal, you have to get the Motorola Razor, but you had your eye on another phone marked FREE, on the 39/39 deal you can not change your rate plan for the first 6 months, all other plans allow you to change as often as you feel the need to. The 39/39 deal also only comes in a two year agreement limiting your rights to sign a one year agreement, and last but not least the 39/39 deal doesn't have free night and weekend minutes. So, ask to see ALL your options, every plan they offer, you want to see it and compare for yourself which is the best way to go. This was only an example, but it shows how the advertised specials are often in the stores benefit.

Remember they have these specials for three reasons. Number one , to get you in the door, number two, to sell the products they are having trouble selling, and number three, to appeal to your senses. If they say its a great deal, well then heck, It must be right?

This question works for most other purchases too. Imagine you see an advertisement is a local Wal*Mart brochure for a LCD screen TV for only $699! They say its a rollback, and wont last long, but they don't tell you the one for $659 is a better brand and same size and the one for $714 is larger and has a longer warranty. Now don't be too fooled, they know you will see this, and come in for the $699 TV and probably walk out with the $714 TV instead, but they got you in the door! Thats the point. Don't walk in the door until you see what else is on the market, go to Best Buy first, then Circuit City, weigh it all out and you'll probably find the best deal was not the advertised one at all.