How to haggle!

24

Comments

  • nemo183
    nemo183 Posts: 637 Forumite
    It's really simple. 1st, only talk to the person you think is in charge/owns the store. 2nd, just say (with item in hand) "Look, I know this is priced at £x.xx, but it's really more than I expected/budgeted/had hoped (choose your own words) to pay. What's really the best price you can do?"

    This method will not get you the most discount, but will almost always get something off. It's non-confrontational - the seller can always say "Sorry, that's the price".

    If they do stick to the price, then depending on what it is you are buying, before you approach them, always have in mind another either related or cheap product they sell. E.g., you're buying a microwave - they say the price is the price - you say "OK, I understand - -but how about including that cheap kettle/toaster/etc? Make sure the item you want them to include is a basic model - chances are they have 100's, and have paid next to nothing for them. In an emergency, just ask for a set of free batteries if your purchase is battery powered.

    Then, just always do this - practice makes perfect. You may feel uncomfortable the first few times, but it will soon come us second nature. I've always found being nice and smiling a lot goes a long way.

    Finally, there are a few specialist places that offer first class service and are in business more as a hobby than to make money - here, don't even bother to ask, as you'll both feel bad.
  • M.E.2-2
    M.E.2-2 Posts: 7,354 Forumite
    This here might be of interest.This Is Money Article.
    Guest.
  • poorcat
    poorcat Posts: 135 Forumite
    Managed my first successful haggle the other day - went to get my son a toy garage in Sainsbury's - reduced from £9.99 to £7.50 in sale, but there was only one on the shelf and the box was battered. So I took it to customer services and said "how about a bit extra off, then?", and they reduced it to £6. Not a major discount, granted, but I was proud.
    Unfortunately, when I got it home, it transpired that not only the box was battered - the garage was too. Bits were broken, and loads of stuff was missing. They offered to exchange it when I took it back (for the £6 price), but of course it had been the last one so I had to make do with a refund...
    Hopefully this won't be the peak of my haggling glory!
  • I love haggling, and I've learned a lot from my friend who is the cheekiest bloke I've ever met. He haggles in the cinema over the price of soft drinks!

    Nobody should be worried about being 'confrontational' or upsetting someone in the shop because it's business, not personal. Tell them what you want and if they won't or can't do it then you should walk away and go to the next shop.

    I open with; "I want this product but I don't want to pay that price". You'll then know straight away if you can get anywhere or not. Unfortunately, I have never had any success haggling over prices in Argos.
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  • kriss_boy
    kriss_boy Posts: 2,131 Forumite
    See Im good at haggling depending on what shop it is. If its a guitar shop then I usually ask for discounts for cash.. then when they give me a good offer I pretend to mull it over.. then say.. ok Ill take it if you throw in a few sets of strings (worth a further £15)

    Id never haggle in a shop like john lewis though.. I mean do the staff really know how to give discounts? I pose you have to approach the senior staff members.

    Im earger to try out the tactic of saying Can I have that tv (worth 500 quid for example) for the price of that model (the cheaper £450 quid model for example). Ive heard thats a good way of getting stuff cheaper. But then again I shop online most of the time!
  • Corley
    Corley Posts: 61 Forumite
    im just wondering what sort of places canu haggle tho, like you say places like argos and big department stores have set prices and most of the time the till staff are kids?? could anyone list places where they reckon are suitable for haggling?
  • jockettuk
    jockettuk Posts: 5,809 Forumite
    Corley wrote:
    im just wondering what sort of places canu haggle tho, like you say places like argos and big department stores have set prices and most of the time the till staff are kids?? could anyone list places where they reckon are suitable for haggling?

    i haggle everywere if im buying a large item.. they can only say no.. sometimes you dont get money off but mabey a accessory for what your buying .. ie.. a dvd player they will throw in a free dvd..
    Those we love don't go away,They walk beside us every day,Unseen, unheard, but always near,
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  • kriss_boy
    kriss_boy Posts: 2,131 Forumite
    Corley wrote:
    im just wondering what sort of places canu haggle tho, like you say places like argos and big department stores have set prices and most of the time the till staff are kids?? could anyone list places where they reckon are suitable for haggling?

    Yea thats my worry, Ive been one of those 'kids' and if a customer asked me for a discount I wouldnt know what to do. i doubt most staff are even allowed to give discounts because when it comes down to it items have barcodes with the prices programmed ni so theres obviously a proceedure on the till for discounts... as to wether all the staffa re allowed to use it I dont know!
  • jockettuk
    jockettuk Posts: 5,809 Forumite
    kriss_boy wrote:
    Yea thats my worry, Ive been one of those 'kids' and if a customer asked me for a discount I wouldnt know what to do. i doubt most staff are even allowed to give discounts because when it comes down to it items have barcodes with the prices programmed ni so theres obviously a proceedure on the till for discounts... as to wether all the staffa re allowed to use it I dont know!
    i ask the assistant if they can haggle if they say no they not allowed i ask them to get me a senior assistant or someone who can.. its not worth doing this if your only buying a dvd but if you spending a couple hundred pounds on something then worth the chance.. so if in doubt ask what you got to lose
    Those we love don't go away,They walk beside us every day,Unseen, unheard, but always near,
    Still loved, still missed and very dear
    Our thoughts are ever with you,Though you have passed away.And those who loved you dearly,
    Are thinking of you today.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,077
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    Community Admin
    MrJudi haggles all the time, but only on high priced items as he finds they are these are the items that he can make significant savings on. I have tried once or twice but although i was sucessful, i wasnt content with £3 off a £20 item that was shop soiled.
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