Unpopular Opinion

I just pay whatever they ask without fishing for a discount. When they offer a discount I tell them that's really not necessary and I'm happy to pay full price. But if they keep insisting, I will take the discount, not going to argue over that.

I disagree with the paying more, that could well be interpreted as offensive, as it makes it seem they need a handout. Just let them set the price and don't beg/demand/fish for a discount.

I run a construction business and I have close relatives who refuse my services because I don't take payments "under the table." Their reasoning is that I don't need to pay taxes and they get a discount. Win-win - except for that the entire risk of legal consequences is on me and secondly it's exactly because of people who do this that many of my customers have unrealistic expectations of how much it costs to hire a contractor. The dude doing it for 30€/hr is not paying taxes on that.

Pay normal price. Turn down the offer of a discount, to not seem cheap. if they offer it again, take it - to not seem rude

I agree!

(context: in my language a "friend's price" is a saying for a good or cheap deal)

It's funny to see the look on my friends faces when I say "a friend's price, right?" and then offer them more than what it would normally cost. Usually it saves you a bunch of time or effort anyway (depending on the job), so it's a fun and nice way to reward them for their efforts.

I think this is really situational. In a store, I'd say you should pay the list price, but it's more nuanced with other types of businesses. As an example, what if your friend is a contractor, but they're a bit more expensive than a competitor, and you need work done?

If you hire the competitor, it creates an awkward situation, but you don't want to pay more. The conversation can easily go:

• "I need someone to do this job."
• "I'm a contractor, I can do it."
• "Money's a little tight right now, and you're a bit more expensive than your competitor."
• "We're friends, I'll do it for their rate."

You haven't asked you friend to give a discount, nor did you ask them to do it for free. You both did each other a favor - you got the work done at the cheaper rate, and your friend got the business that might have gone to their competitor. If the friend doesn't want to give the discount, they have an easy out: "Oh, no problem! [Competitor] does good work." On a similar token, they don't feel like you went around them.

How about neither?

Pay as if you're any other customer, trying to overpay would probably come across with a tone-deaf charity vibe IMO. Your friend is likely not an idiot, they're able to set the correct price for whatever it is they're selling.

OTOH Americans just love tipping, so maybe it doesn't come across as gauche as elsewhere over there

Doing business with friends is a good way to lose friends.

I could have phrased that better, as I think a lot of people misunderstood my point. I agree that you should pay the regular price. Edit: Also I was mainly thinking about small businesses.

What if they say it's a discount and they make you pay more anyway (basically tricking you)

I wouldn't necessarily expect a discount, but I certainly wouldn't refuse one unless I'm doing better financially than my friend (which is unlikely). Paying more than asked? I'd have to do much better financially than my friend, which is extremely unlikely.

Why are those the only two options?

Completely depends on the nature of that business.this completely depends on the naturevof the job.

Not bad advice, just incomplete.

You never steal from a friend - unless it's their spouse