On the day when people engage in combat for discounts, a word in favor of paying full price

"Who doesn't love getting stuff for free?" the man asked.

One hand went up. It was mine. People looked me like I was just being a contrarian for the sake of it. He doesn't really mean that.

But I did. And I do. If you want to shop at 3 in the morning for 70 percent discounts, knock yourself out. I respect your choice, and even more so, I respect that it is your choice.

But here's the problem with chasing after discounts, or stuff that's free: When you do this, what you get will be whatever the discounter or the giver-away decides to make available on such seemingly favorable terms. Did you get the TV you really wanted? Or did you get the one they offered for 70 percent off, because they offered it for 70 percent off?

Did you go on a trip to the place you really wanted to visit? Or did you go to the place that was free? I once had a guy offer me a "holiday" at Motel 6 in London, Ontario if I would watch his vacuum demonstration. I don't want to go London, Ontario. I don't care if it's free.

When you pay full price, you get what you want, when you want, under terms you dictate. When you pay full price, you accept no conditions. You accept no restrictions or limitations. You call the shots.

Now, you might say, "Must be nice if you can afford it!"

But you're more likely to be able to afford it if you understand the concept of value. Something that really suits my needs, and performs as I need it to perform, is going to bring me value that puts me in a stronger position to do all the things I need to do. It's going to put me in a position to be more productive and make more money, so I can afford to pay full price.

Even a full-price vacation does this, I would argue, because if you settle for the free or discounted one under someone else's terms, you'll always lament that you didn't get to go where you'd really like to go.

So no. I don't love getting stuff for free. Because free stuff is picked out for me by somebody else, and that somebody else dictates the terms. If I want something, I'll work hard enough to be able to pay full price for the thing I actually want, acquired on my terms.

And by the way, if your business's purchasing policies having you chasing after free or discounted stuff, you might want to question whether you're really putting your business in the best position to succeed.

Oh, by the way, I don't offer discounts either. Volume discounts, sure, because that's to my benefit. But no specials. No one-time offers. And absolutely nothing for free. (That goes for you, too, nonprofits!) Experience the freedom and victory of paying full price and getting the best on your terms - whether it's my writing, logistics services or that next piece of capital equipment you need.

But like I said, if you want to engage in combat shopping, knock yourself out. Just don't call me if you end up getting trampled, because I'll be sleeping in my very nice bed - for which I assure you I paid full price.