• Take the Survey of Rural Challenges
  • Small Town Speaker Becky McCray
  • Shop Local video
  • SaveYour.Town

Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource

A row of small town shops
  • Front Page
  • Latest stories
  • About
  • Guided Tour
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • RSS

Is it really a deal?

By Glenn Muske

Deal

Photo (CC) Mike Cohen, on Flickr

I am sure we all have been asked, “Do you want the meal deal?” 

And it doesn’t stop there. Deals surround us. Go for a simple oil change and you might be presented with a package deal that includes a new air filter, tire rotation, and more. Buy a car and get offered an extended warranty or free oil changes for life as a special deal. Last week I even had the opportunity to get free batteries for the life of an electronic device I bought all for a flat, up-front fee.

A place I frequent often offered me this opportunity:

Is this a deal?

Photo by Glenn Muske

Every time I have such an opportunity, I question, “Is it a REAL deal?”

What is a deal depends on the buyer? I might argue that chips and a pickle doesn’t make a sandwich a deal. Other places I go offer that as the basic order. Upgrading to fries and a drink are the standard upgrade deal. And this same idea holds true no matter what type of business you run. Something doesn’t make it a deal because you, the owner, tell me that. What makes it a deal is if I, as the customer, see it as one. It is much like the idea discussed when developing an effective rewards program.

So the next time you want to offer a deal, check with your customers to see what they might want.

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Glenn Muske

Glenn Muske is an independent expert on rural small business, working as GM Consulting – Your partner in achieving small business success. He provides consulting, and writes articles for county extension agents and newspapers across North Dakota. Previously, he was the Rural and Agribusiness Enterprise Development Specialist at the North Dakota State University Extension Service – Center for Community Vitality.
  • Change - December 26, 2018
  • Regular Customers Form Your Base - December 12, 2018
  • Disasters: Is Your Small Business Ready? - December 5, 2018
  • Business Startup: Steps to Remember - November 28, 2018
  • HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM SMALL BIZ SURVIVAL - November 21, 2018
  • Finding a Business Idea - November 14, 2018
  • Does Your Networking Have Punch? - November 7, 2018
  • Build Tomorrow’s Community Business Sector - October 24, 2018
  • Are You Changing? - October 17, 2018
  • Is it really a deal? - October 10, 2018

October 10, 2018 Filed Under: rural, Small Biz 100, success

Wondering what is and is not allowed in the comments?
Or how to get a nifty photo beside your name?
Check our commenting policy.
Use your real name, not a business name.


Don't see the comment form?
Comments are automatically closed on older posts, but you can send me your comment via this contact form and I'll add it manually for you. Thanks!

Howdy!

Glad you dropped in to the rural and small town business blog, established in 2006.

We want you to feel at home, so please take our guided tour.

Meet our authors on the About page.

Have something to say? You can give us a holler on the contact form.

If you would like permission to re-use an article you've read here, please make a Reprint Request.

Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.

Shop Local

Buy local buttonReady to set up a shop local campaign in your small town? You'll need a guide who understands how we're different and what really works: Shop Local Campaigns for Small Towns.

Best of Small Biz Survival

What is holding us back? Why does every project take so long in small towns?

How any business can be part of downtown events by going mobile

Concert-goers talking and enjoying the evening in downtown Webster City, Iowa.

Why do people say there’s nothing to do here then not come to our concerts?

Retailers: Fill all empty space, floor to ceiling

More of the best of Small Biz Survival

Copyright © 2023 Becky McCray
Front Page · Log in