How to request special pricing for competitive deals from your vendors?

 Do you know you can request special pricing on deals you are working?   Ask your vendor partners what facilities and support they have in place to support you when you are competing on price?  I'm not sure if you know this but if you don't you should ask your account manager. Here is the detailed scenario:  If you are buying directly from a manufacturer or if you are buying from a distributor, the vendor will take in all special pricing requests.  In this competitive market, companies do not want to lose business based on price especially to a competitor BUT companies also don't want to lose money if they don't have to.  So, what does this mean? Companies aren't advertising about your right to request special pricing on a deal that you are working or to request special pricing for inventory that you may have in stock that you just can't move.   Ask your account manager and then be ready to have some answers to the key qusetions so your special price can get approved. Who are you selling to?  Who is the competitor that you are competing against?  What is the product?  How long is the price good for?  If you have a price list or an advertised price, scan it in and email it to your vendor.   Be as organized as possible.  This will result in more won deals for you and ultimately more money in your pocket.     Send the requests via email or ask if there are forms that need to be filled out.  Keep all of  your documentation and most importantly keep the SPA (special pricing authorization) number so you will be rebated for the funds owed to you.  Do you have any experiences with this in your business?