Why Aren't My Discounts Lowering the Quote Price?

If you've added a discount to a quote and the customer price didn't drop, the most likely cause is a manual Net Margin Target. This article explains what that override does, why it blocks discounts and rebates, and the better way to get your quote to the number you need.

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Common Signs You Have a Margin Override

• You apply a discount, but the customer price stays the same (or even goes up).
• You try to give an option away with a 100% discount, and it won't show $0.
• You add a rebate, but your margin doesn't move.

If any of these sound familiar, check the Net Margin Target on the quote first.

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How Margin Normally Works in SetSale

By default, SetSale lets your margin move as you adjust a quote:

• Discounts lower your margin. The customer price drops, and you give up some profit.
• Rebates raise your margin. The rebate offsets your cost, so you keep more profit without changing the customer price.

You'll see the Net Margin update in real time on the quote, so you always know the impact.

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What a Net Margin Target Override Does

When you manually set a Net Margin Target, you're locking your margin at that percentage. SetSale will always hit that number, no matter what else changes on the quote.

Example:

1. A quote naturally lands at a 32% margin.
2. You override the Net Margin Target to 35%.
3. You add a $1,000 discount.

You'd expect the price to drop by $1,000. It won't. SetSale raises the price before the discount so that, after the discount, you still land exactly at 35%. The discount shows on the quote, but the customer's total doesn't go down.

Rebates work the same way. With an override in place, a rebate won't increase your margin, because the margin is locked.

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How to Fix It

Step 1: Remove the Override

1. Open the quote.
2. Find the Net Margin Target field.
3. Clear the manual value so SetSale goes back to your standard pricing.
4. Save the quote.
5. Re-apply your discount or rebate and confirm the price updates.

Step 2: Add Extra Costs as an Install Supply (If Needed)

If you set the override because you needed the price higher, there's a better way to get there: add the extra amount as a custom install supply. This keeps your job costing accurate and lets discounts and rebates work normally.

1. On the quote, go to Install Supplies.
2. Add a custom supply and give it a clear name, like "Additional Cost."
3. Enter the cost. You can either:
   • Use a set increment (like $50 or $100) and adjust the quantity to reach the amount you need, or
   • Enter the difference as a single line item.
4. Save the quote.

SetSale prices that cost in using your normal margin rules, so the customer price goes up the right way, and any discount you add still comes off the total.

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Common Scenarios

"I need to match a competitor's price." Use a discount instead of changing the margin. A discount lets you hit the exact number to the penny, and you'll see exactly how much margin you're giving up.

"I want to give one option away for free." Remove the Net Margin Target override first. Then apply a 100% discount (or a discount equal to the option's total) and the option will show $0.

"I added a rebate and my margin didn't change." That's the override at work. Remove it, and the rebate will lower your cost and raise your margin without changing the customer price.

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For Admins: Controlling Who Can Override Margin

Admins decide whether users can adjust the margin on a quote. You'll find this under Settings > Pricing > Job Costing.

If your team keeps running into this issue, consider turning margin adjustments off for most users and relying on discounts and install supplies instead.

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Quick Reference