It never hurts to ask..

I joke about this all the time, but it can never hurt to ask. Ask for a free refill, ask to take the beer glass home for free, ask for a free sample before purchase, etc. 

One case in point, last Friday.

I had an iPhone 5s with Telus that was just limping along and not going to make it. Talked to the Telus store people and they advised to call "Loyalty" and see what they could do. 

I did and spelled out exactly what I was hoping for, citing that I've been a customer for a long time. To my surprise they responded back with basically 3 yes's to my three requests. Bonus!

So then I watched my emails and online and saw that my local Telus store has a sale on right now for the phone I wanted. So last Friday I went in and got one of those fancy new iPhone 6s for $280 (not $900)

Not only that but I asked if they would price match a case that I saw a couple doors down and she pulled some strings to do that. I also got a free spray and wipe, all while still keeping my old and great phone plan. Whoopee!

I probably come across some great deal or freebie daily, simply by asking. I'll ask if there are any current promos, secret unpublished coupons, all while simply being nice. I'll send messages to brands of products I like and tell them I like their product and do they have any coupons so I can keep buying their product. It's about being 50/50 whether I get a yes or no, but I'll take 50% more yes's versus not asking. 

Another case, I had an issue with a contact solution that I've used since I started wearing contacts in grade 11. Rather than just abandoning this solution, I sent an email to customer service explaining what had happened and basically did they have a bad batch in this bottle. After some back and forth (and some great information), they sent me a care package full of 3 full size product replacements (these bottles are $28 each and they sent me 3). Well impressed!

Ask. Simple!