Negotiate or Always Pay Full Price
You can always pay full price for everything, and avoid any type of confrontation. However, negotiating on a price is not a confrontation. There are some things in which you will probably have to pay full price on, such as what you buy at the grocery store. But there are lots of things you could get a nice discount on if you just ask. Commit to what you will pay, and it’s amazing what you can save. Remember, “a penny saved is a penny earned”. David DeFranza wrote How Haggling Taught Me About Life, where he gives several good pointers, such as staying calm and not being afraid to walk away. Good advice.
March 3rd, 2008 |
That’s good advice… as I remember from high school economics, a price tag is simply an “invitation to offer to purchase” any good or chattel, so absolutely negotiate.
If I’m buying something big-ish I’ll say something like “but the XYZ shop over at ABC is selling these for $100 less than what you want…” That just about always gets people talking, and willing to make a deal
Thank you for the quick advice. I need as much as I can get on the topic because I’ve always been afraid to haggle.
There’s no reason to be afraid…….to ask. Many times just asking if that’s the lowest price they would take will get you a discount. Then you can always try to drive the price down from there. Personally, I would suggest that you should always consider the setting. If you go into a retail chain like a Wal-Mart or Target, and try to get them to negotiate on general items, you’ll probably look like a total dope. But I would ALWAYS try to negotiate the price of something that’s ‘used’ or on very expensive items.
I never get to practice haggling much … I like supporting smaller local businesses so I generally don’t go too hard on them … Oh man, I don’t know if I can still haggle!
Guess I better swing by Best Buy and let ‘em have it - just to stay in practice
haha……show’em no mercy!
I’m like you about the smaller local businesses. I like to support them when I can because I think they are a large part of what adds culture and distinction in a town. If the only businesses in town are national chains, your town is a clone.
i couldn’t agree more
I usually only haggle if Im bying an article of clothing and I find a small imperfection,.. then I try to get it on the cheep!