Black Friday for Stone Suppliers: What's a Real Deal vs. Marketing Theater

Every November, your suppliers blast "Black Friday slab specials." Some are real opportunities; most are price-anchored marketing. Here's how to tell.

Compare to your last 6 invoices

If the "deal" price is what you paid in May, it's not a deal. Suppliers count on you not having historical price awareness.

Watch for end-of-season clearance

Real deals: discontinued colors, last-of-the-block exotic stone, slabs with cosmetic flaws you can hide. Negotiable to 30-40% off list.

Skip volume buys you don't have demand for

"Buy 10 slabs at $X" is great until they sit in your yard for 9 months. Match purchases to your forward 90-day pipeline.

Negotiate Net-60 instead of discount

Sometimes the supplier's discount looks great but cash flow is tighter. Asking for extended terms instead of a discount can be more valuable.

The gut check

Would you have bought this slab next month at full price? If yes, the discount is a real win. If no, you're being marketed to.