unsuccessful haggling..

RobertoMoir

marleyboy wrote: »

I dont think its about haggling, I think any customer would "ask" for the cheapest price possible.

If they have seen it elsewhere cheaper, obviously they will go elsewhere to get it if its cheaper. There's no harm in a customer quoting the price offered from a rival store. (some stores actually offer Price matching on the same principle), if you say no, its no big deal to the customer.

He or she will just go for the best offer anyway, even at the expense of the salesman. They don't EXPECT a salesman to say "O.k we will reduce the price" but at least they have given the store the opportunity of securing a deal, before going elsewhere to buy the product more cheaply. Theres nothing at all wrong with that, its what business is all about.

Nothing wrong with that at all.
Plenty wrong with acting like you're entitled to a discount because you claim (from the point of view of the shop assistant you're talking to) that you've seen a cheaper price in a google search of skanky fly-by-night web retailers, then claiming the staff are incompetent and need to be re-trained because they don't see it your way.

McKneff

Jakg wrote: »

PC World make around 3% profit on PC's and Laptops - thus on a flat laptop you will get nothing. EVER.

It's the other stuff they make the money off...

EDIT - Just because retail is getting tough doesn't mean managers can afford to give discounts on stuff they make incredibly little on in the first place. Suprisingly while your £1,000 PC may seem a lot, the salesman doesn't really want the sale unless theres anything else on top that makes the company money.

I managed, through persistance to get a tenner off a laptop at PC world
last Christmas, but man, it was hard work.

pulliptears

I would suggest a wonderbra, male salesman and a plunging neckline

The last time I tried to haggle was with a local electrical chain, who had a Dyson in there a full £70 more expensive than the argos next door. First he didnt believe me so went to his PC to check. Then he sighed, took out a pen and calculator and starting tapping away.

After a minute or so he said "I can knock you £20 off!"

Did he really think I'd buy it at £50 more expensive because he knocked £20 off? I went to Argos.

Im all for keeping smaller businesses going, and had he come within £10 of the price I would have bought it from there.

pinkshoes

wheresmydoshat wrote: »

....and they say we're are on the brink of a recession !

Curry's obviously aren't feeling the pinch.

Recession? What recession? I've never seen the shops so crammed full of people spending money! And there was me hoping I'd manage a shopping trip to the city centre last saturday without having to use my elbows to get from shop to shop!

I've never found Curry's to be particularly good at reducing prices, although they are often willing to throw in some freebies or other things for half price.

Pulliptears, can I presume you have LittleBigPlanet??

pulliptears

pinkshoes wrote: »

Pulliptears, can I presume you have LittleBigPlanet??

lol I have an unfortunate addiction to LBP, which is seriously interfering in my work now I could spend many a happy hour just making sackboy dance and frown....

marleyboy

I must admit I generally already have priced around before I go to purchase an item, so I know what the cost is before I enter a store, obviously going to the one at the cheapest deal, unless by chance I am buying another item from a different store that has it at a slightly higher price.

Even then, I would merely mention it is cheaper down the road to buy, giving the opportunity for a price match, yet not assuming the salesman has got to match it,

I'm sure from his side of the counter, if I don't buy it, the next person may.

bestpud

Jakg wrote: »

PC World make around 3% profit on PC's and Laptops - thus on a flat laptop you will get nothing. EVER.

It's the other stuff they make the money off...

EDIT - Just because retail is getting tough doesn't mean managers can afford to give discounts on stuff they make incredibly little on in the first place. Suprisingly while your £1,000 PC may seem a lot, the salesman doesn't really want the sale unless theres anything else on top that makes the company money.

PCWorld have given me, and two people I know, discounts on PCs and/or added extra bits free in the past...

bestpud

I'm not sure why people feel the need to argue discounts are discretionary?

Surely everyone knows that?

But most people, and all people who frequent this site, hopefully ) will be aware that stores do give discounts! Martin actively encourages people to ask and to be fair, it usually works!

Therefore, I see no problem with someone pointing out that they are finding different right now and asking others to see if it is a general thing. Agreed there is no point getting annoyed about it though!

pinkshoes

pulliptears wrote: »

lol I have an unfortunate addiction to LBP, which is seriously interfering in my work now I could spend many a happy hour just making sackboy dance and frown....

I know exactly what you mean! I got it yesterday, and am most amused pressing down on L2 and R2, then using the analogue sticks to move sackboy's arms!!! I can almost make him do the Macarena!

My OH now has to fight me for the PS3, although tonight it will be aaaaallll miiiiiine! :rotfl:


As for the discount debate, no ask, no get, and the worst they can say is no!

DarkHorse

I had pretty much the same experience in Currys on Sunday as the OP.

Went in to buy a Dyson, as Currys have a 25% off if you trade in your old vacuum cleaner. Now I have not intention of letting then have my old vacuum cleaner, as I will use this for cleaning the car.

I explained to the salesman that I wanted to buy the Dyson with the 25% discount and I have the cash on me and would buy here and now, but I did not want to trade in my old cleaner as both me and him know that they just get thrown away

I was a bit taken back when he just said "No". I asked him he he wanted to sell it to me or watch me walk out with the money still in my pocket. His response was that he would sell it to me for full price only unless I traded in my old cleaner........I walked out!

Still have the money, and will wait 6 months until they are desperate, then go into Currys, do a deal with the same salesman, and just before paying remind him of his point blank refusal when I asked last time and go to a different retailer......just so I can see the look on his face then.