Great Best Places To Haggle Hunt

MSE_Martin

This thread is now full. Please go to the new Great 'Shops You Can Haggle In' Hunt thread to continue the discussion.

What's it about?

There's no such thing as a fixed price and it's amazing what a bit of charm and chutzpah can do.

Yet many people don't believe you can haggle on the high street, or at mobile phone companies, or in John Lewis. So I thought I'd tap MoneySavers' collective knowledge to find out where the best places to haggle are.

I want to find out where you’ve haggled successfully and your best bartering tips.

For those who don't already have it, The Money Diet has a full chapter on how to haggle effectively

What to do?

Click on the reply button below this post and let me know which stores are hagglers' heaven and the different techniques you've used to successfully knock down the price.

Smiley_Mum

If I am making a rather large purchase, TV/sofa etc I ask if they give a discount for cash also, but get best price first. If the discount they offer is worthwhile, then I will pay cash, if not the money stays in the bank.

Next time you go and buy something, just try and haggle some discount, you may be surprised. Once you gained a discount, you'll be looking for your next challenge. It's addictive. Go on try it.

lilrowan

I used to run a concession in Allders Outlet (Out of season/damaged stock), and found that if you notice on any clothes that there is a small mark, or stitching coming loose, if you asked for a discount for it they would give about 10% off, maybe more depending on damage - even though that was probably the reason for it being in the outlet in the first place!

Also if I could talk people into buying a full matching outfit (it was all mother of the bride type stuff), then I would offer a discount if they bought the hat, or throw in a corsage. It is worth being cheeky - I used to give discount if I thought the buyer might return. In this respect catch them when it is quiet and they feel like they might not make their quota- mid week or a late night opening if they have them -

melancholly

Boots Opticians - 10% off
although you can get things much cheaper online, i unintentionally haggled for a pair of glasses in boots a couple of years ago! I wanted to bring someone back for a second opinion and while i faffed about the manager suggested she take 10% off the bill to make things! i'd never have even thought of asking for it, so for anyone who likes the security of buying glasses at a reputable high street place, apparently haggling is an option.

Doozergirl

MFI. The easiest place to haggle. Our trick is to ask for the best price they can give us on the furniture if we take out the extended warranties. The sales staff get their commission on the extended warranties so it's in their interest to knock down the furniture.

We leave the store to think it over and then phone back to place the order, but speak to someone else and ask them to remove the warranties from the quote. It's cheeky but works We got the price of the last kitchen we bought down from over £8200 to £7000 on the nose.

highguyuk

If you have a reasonable sized Dry Cleaning order, definetly try and haggle.

In one load, it doesnt matter if its full or empty, it still costs the same. Therefore, on a busy day, your suit is just extra money.

Also Key Cutting - Timpsons Blanks cost 6p to produce. 6p. They charge you £4 a key. Managers are not set prices in alot of cases, they are quoted a cost price or a maximum price to charge. In either case, haggling is an option. Im not a very happy Timpsons ex-employee btw, bought my company out and then sold us all off.

xueta

Never Pay Full Price on Electricals on the Tottenham Court Road - they expect you to haggle

muddyfox470

Sale shops work great for me.

If you have a sale-shop on the high-street try it, i have managed to get a few free t-shirts/tops by asking (I did make a reasonable purchase though!)

Local smaller shops are better too, as apposed to the large high-street stalls; I have tried many times at TKMAXX and have come away with nothing

Best of luck to the rest of you

Ian

madstef

I try the old "Mature Student discount" (with an smile and a wink!)

Its worked at Jessops, Dixons, Powerhouse and other large stores (usually electrical!).... oooo and PC world I remember!

I also take my 2 babies with me and plead poverty, or plead knackered and cannot put up with them any further without a mental breakdown!

Free umbrella from Abbey National yesturday as hinted that my babies would be snug and dry in buggy but what about poor mum!!

I'll be cheeky and try it anywhere - usually works!

nads

madstef wrote:

I also take my 2 babies with me and plead poverty, or plead knackered and cannot put up with them any further without a mental breakdown!

:rotfl:

madstef: Yes, I would like to buy this 32 inch TV
Store: That's £1099.97
madstef: Yeh but give me a discount, I can't feed my children
Store: erm ok 999.97

I'm goign to see if I can hire some kids for an afternoon and see if I can get a discount this way

Tondella

I tried unsuccessfully to haggle at MAC make-up counter in Selfridges, I'd had an hour long make-over so I knew that the assistant would be keen to make a sale, however adding up all the products she had used came to £90! (she did slap it on somewhat). I said, "if I get all this will you throw in a couple of make-up brushes" she wouldn't but let slip that the make-up brushes cost alot more to make than the make-up which is essentially worthless. If I hadn't have been so tired I should have said, "well I'll buy some brushes and you throw in some make-up". I was kicking myself afterwards but will try it again when i buy make-up for my wedding. So i guess in a round about way I'm suggesting that it should be easy to get some free make-up items thrown in with your MAC puchase, just don't try and go for the brushes! As staff are allowed to open new make-up items for their make overs it's not as though they must account for every item of make-up through the till.