How do I get different customers to pay different prices?

Question

How do I get different customers to pay different prices?

Answer 1

If it's for the same service or product and there's no difference at all that IS illegal. If you're just trying to change the prices because you don't "like" certain people then that's wrong and illegal. If it's for different reasons, then you have to break it all down. This costs this and if you add this then it's this. get it? AND you have to give them a receipt to explain it all.

Answer 2

if its for the smae service thats illigal

Answer 3

there is nothing illegal about charging different people different amounts for the same service.  I work in the imaging service business and while we have a basic price list we work off of, there are always some subtle differences that will affect the cost.  Therefor, it is rare that any two customers get the same pricing for similar service.

Also, many attorneys will work at a discounted rate for people who cannot afford the standard price.  I don't know if this fulfills some sort of pro bono pact or what.

just don't let your customers know what you charge your other customers and life will be fine.

Answer 4

There are many different strategies for accomplishing this, but you should keep in mind that you need to show demonstrable respect and concern for both segments of your customers – you don’t want your customers willing/able to pay more feeling as though they are not being treated fairly any more than you want your customers unable to pay more feeling the same way.



Coupons/discounts –

Offering your clients or certain community members discounts or coupons for your products is a simple way to make your products affordable to a subset of customers.



Sliding scale –

Many nonprofits have incorporated a sliding scale based on income into their pricing strategy. When using this tactic, you have to take into account how much effort you can put into enforcing the sliding scale, since income is difficult to verify. One good example of this tactic is a tax-preparation clinic for low-income individuals which charges below-market prices on a sliding scale – in this case, verifying income is easy.



Periodic discounting –

This is a traditional retail concept – think about the post-Christmas sales. In this case, price-sensitive customers will attend your sale (even though you are selling goods far in advance of the season when most customers think to buy: say, bathing suits in December), and customers who can afford it will wait until a more convenient time to shop.



Second market discounting –

This is an increasingly common strategy for manufacturers who have excess capacity – think outlet stores. This is best done when there is some geographic distance between your store and the second market store – you don’t want your customers who are willing to pay more going to your second market store.

Answer 5

I do software and online services...

I charge a different fee for businesses vs. education vs. non-profit.  At least with software that is a very common and accepted practice.  Education discount.

Is there a way you can segment your customers and simply be upfront about it... The lower priced segment position as a discounted price not a different price.

*** IT IS NOT ILLEGAL as others are saying here (unless you are discriminating based on race, gender or religion).  The notion that it is illegal is silly.

Ever hear of Senior Citizen discounts?  Teacher discounts? Preferred customer discounts?  Early bird discounts? Employee discounts?  All of these are mechanisms for charging variable prices.