High Street Store Haggling

cpim

Today after internet price chaecking and visiting a major high street electrical retailer I went to another with the aim of purchasing a fridge freezer and a 26" TV - total list price approx £750.

After checking stock (TV was in stock and fridge freezer was 3-4 days between the hours of 8-6PM ) I askd what discount could be done. The Comet (oops mentioned the store) salesman said discounts were against company policy. asked for the manager and the salesman refused to get the manager and repeated that he wouldn't be able to do anything as "head office doesn't let them discount".

I pointed out I was prepared to purchase both items that very day, plus had seen the fridge freezer from their own online store cheaper with free delivery. Also I pointed out that with delivery charge of £19 from themselves and 3-4 days delivery at an unspecified time, I could purchase both items slightly cheaper with next day delivery at a time to suit myself from their major high street competitor.

The salesman repeated his statement about no discounts and company policy and wouldn't comprimise or give a little - even when I pointed out his price was more expensive and delivery less flexible, but still willing to purchase if the deal was right.

I obviously walked out of Comet not making a purchase, but has anyone got experience of how I should have approached this or the best way? Especially as I still have to purchase my TV and fridge freezer.

saintscouple

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this: There’s an article on the main site you might like to read that gives more information on this subject.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/how-to-haggle-successfully

cpim

Thanks for the reply.

I actually read the article and then went shopping after doing some research on approx prices. Comet happened to be the store where they had both products, so I thought I'd try.

It's just that I was completely and utterly dismissed, even though I was coaxing the salesman into something (unsuccessfully) and pointing out I could go elswhere for a small saving. There just didn't seem to be any comprimise with the salesman, which quite frankly I was disapointed with.

Lakeuk

Years ago the most I got out of Comet was a price match, luckily they were price matching a tv sold by local shop at a rock bottom price as it was the last one and was white in colour, where as I was only interested in the common black tv.

Comet phoned the local shop to check it was in stock and agree to price match at 50% below there store price. If you knew they were not comparing like for like then I wouldn't of got that price - it pays to keep quiet on the detail

cookie_boy2000

A key phrase we used when in high street retail, was better to have a % of something rather than lose a sale and get 100% of nothing!

As long as it's nowhere near and/or not the cost price, then logically they should get the sale. The trouble is, the store mgr's are not given any flexibility to manages their stores. They're there to just follow instructions.

And these company's wonder why they lose sales................

funkyparott

DSG stores seem to like selling Extented Warranties.

To secure the best deal, I always take out the longest extended warranty on the condition they throw some thing else in free, - memory card / camera bag etc.

Then next day cancel the warranty as per your cooling off period rights.