How to say “can you lower the price?” professionally
Why it can fall flat
“can you lower the price?”
Asked bare, “can you lower the price?” leaves out the reason and the number, so it reads like a demand with nothing to work with. The writer usually wants to open a negotiation by saying the cost is above budget and asking if it can move.
Say this instead
- 01
Hi Radhika, thanks for the terms. The fee is above what we budgeted for this role. Is there flexibility on the percentage, or a lighter version of the service that costs less?
Recruiter / HR · Email
Fits an agency recruiter who sends written terms, and the reply is easy to forward to finance.
- 02
Hi Radhika, the agency fee is above our budget. Could we talk Thursday at 3pm about a lower figure or a smaller package? Thanks, Arun
Recruiter / HR · SMS
Suits a quick text to a recruiter you already know, since it proposes a call time and a smaller scope.
- 03
The renewal quote for the design software is 4,800. I'd like to ask the vendor for a lower price before we sign off. Is that okay with you?
Boss · Chat
Good when you need approval first, because it shows you are protecting the budget and not going around anyone.
- 04
Before you confirm the order, could you ask the supplier whether they can come down on the quote? It's above what we set aside.
Coworker · Chat
Helpful when a colleague handles purchasing and you want them to push back before anything is committed.
- 05
Hi Imogen, Thanks for getting the catering quotes. Please go back to the second one and ask whether they can offer a lower price for 40 people. Our budget is around 1,200, so please don't commit before checking with me.
Someone you manage · Email
Right when someone you manage deals with the vendor and needs a clear target and a limit on what they can agree to.
- 06
Hi Kwame, thanks for the renewal quote for the hosting service. The price is higher than we planned for. Is a lower rate possible, for example on a different plan or billing cycle?
Client · Email
Useful when a company that is also your client sells you a service and you are the buyer this time.
Examples
Hi Wesley, Thanks for the quote for the 500 printed brochures. The total is above what we budgeted for this project. Is a lower price possible, perhaps with a simpler paper stock or a longer delivery time? Best regards, Nisha
Hi Finley, the quote is above our budget for this quarter. Is the figure fixed, or is there a lower price we could look at together?
What to avoid
- Asking for a discount with no reason gives the other side nothing to answer, so say the number is above budget or that you are comparing options.
- Threatening to walk away only works if you really would.
- A competitor's lower price is only worth mentioning if you have an actual quote.
- Apologizing for asking weakens your position, since a polite, direct question is normal in business.
- Group threads are a poor place to negotiate price because others can see the numbers.