I have a colleague who recently got his mortgage interest lowered, thereby lowering his mortgage payment, simply by asking.  He wrote a sad sob letter to the bank asking for relief and he got it.  Did he need it?  No, not really, but he asked and was rewarded for his effort.

When it comes to anything, it never hurts to ask . . .

There is an old joke that the prettiest girl in town usually doesn't have a date on a Saturday night because nobody asks her-- they all assume she is accounted for already.

I have next door neighbors with plenty of downed trees on their property, and I plan on asking them if I can buck and haul them.  What can they say?  (No-- I'm no worse off or Yes-- I get a new source of wood and they get their property cleared for free).

I often get discounts by offering to pay cash.  For example, if you buy the floor model, you should ask for a discount and then ask for another for paying in cash.

What is the worst anyone can say, "NO!"  Hey . . . Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Again, it never hurts to ask . . .