High Street Haggling Discussion

Exodi

I've done a fair amount of haggling anywhere I can (my better half hates it and avoids being with me when I do)!

My best, by a long shot, was her engagement ring from Ernest Jones (conveniently opposite H Samuels).

The ring was listed for £850 at the time (this wasn't on sale or had any discount), I had in my head that I wanted at least half off before I went in.

So I started talking to the sales assistant,manning the floor; I mentioned how I wanted to pick up a ring before my holiday so I could propose and I guess I liked the look of that one (in truth, my other half had already picked this particular ring so in reality I really had no choice). I mentioned how it wasn't on sale and whether she could take some off the price as it seemed nonsensical to wait for it to go on sale as I had my (imaginary) holiday soon!

Sadly (but luckily for me as she was the only person on the floor and I didn't want to build a queue) she couldn't reduce pricing on rings and instead got the Assistant Store Manager to help. The store manager said she could offer it for the last sales price of £599 as a gesture of goodwill but I said I'd seen the same style diamond and band for £350 from H Samuels (partial bluff - it was somewhat cheaper but wasn't comparable). She said she categorically couldn't reduce the ring further so I mentioned I can buy it online from their site when it's on sale and get an online discount for cheaper than she was offering me but I really wanted to help boost the stores figures but again pressed I would have to get this ring from next door (the shops are literally opposite each other so it helped me greatly).

So she then gets the Store Manager (to be honest, I was getting a bit fatigued replaying the whole story of events) and I mentioned I liked the look of this ring and ideally wanted them to match £350 they have across the road because I prefer their store. The store manager grimaced but reluctantly after a little gentle nudging conceded on £380 (presumably she just wanted to one up my figure slightly).

So yeah, £850 to £380! The thing is, I think you need to be aware of the various margins various companies have on items. Retailers like this have notoriously high mark-ups on these sort of items, and they probably they still made several hundred £'s on the ring!

Lizzienewbie1

I need to buy a new bed and I honestly did not realise haggling was an option.

Not sure if I could hold my nerve enough to haggle any tips ?

kah22

Lizzienewbie1 wrote: »

I need to buy a new bed and I honestly did not realise haggling was an option.

Not sure if I could hold my nerve enough to haggle any tips ?

I know where you are coming from, I’m the same

Pollycat

A_to_B wrote: »

So no deals for autistic people
They might be cute inside, but can't show it.
No wonder why life is hard for them .

I do appreciate your sentiment.

But the post you quoted dates back to Sept 2015.
And the poster hasn't logged on to MSE for a year.