Discussion Does Booking.com Offer Better Deals If You Ask?

I've been planning a domestic trip in the US, and I'm curious if anyone has had success getting better deals on Booking.com by simply asking. I've heard some people say that reaching out to customer service or the hotel directly through Booking.com can sometimes lead to discounts or upgrades. Has anyone tried this? Did it work for you, or is it just a myth? Also, do you think this approach could work for international bookings as well?