Help! Was I wrong to haggle?

InsideInsurance

greenface wrote: »

Just a few points from a caring homeowner and manager

Unfortunately for a variety of reasons not everyone is or can be a caring business owner

ska_lover

I don't blame you for trying OP and it is something I have done in certain situations, but I think some situations it is not appropriate to haggle and certain people can find it insulting in some way

You asked him for a discount during his peak business period - so you were on a back foot anyway - he doesn't need your business enough to permit a discount, he isn't struggling for bookings enough to take a loss when someone else will pay the full price.

If you asked out of season, you might get a different response, but not many business persons are going to take a loss on something that they can sell at full price just to do a stranger a favour

paddyrg

Maybe he doesn't feel someone nickel-and-diming on the camping fee means he'll get a lot out of you in the bar/additional services either? Easier for him to give your place to a family who've just booked and are paying more and more likely to spend on ice-creams/whatever??

Miaow121

Just to be clear on a few things - there had only been 2 emails prior to this phone conversation, both pleasant and chatty, not days and days of time invested in me.

Ska Lover - October (not half-term) is usually low season for campsites isn't it? At least that's what most websites say.

Warehouse, £110 is actually really pushing the boat out for us - last year we went away for £60 all in and this £110 doesn't include travel etc. It sounds like a fun afternoon on the Isle of Wight and I would really like to be able to do the same - the problem with that approach is that if I can't find anywhere I can afford I could end up sleeping under a bush - in October!

I also just want to make clear to everyone that the reason I left the conversation feeling a bit confused and discomforted was the guy's attitude - as several people have said he is a business owner and I would have been fine with a polite "No" - after all, there isn't any reason for him to discount if he doesn't have to. It was the sudden change from seeming to engage in negotiations "How much are you prepared to pay" to a rather cold and unpleasant "Go somewhere else" inside of 30 seconds that surprised me.

I appreciate everyone's advice. I don't feel I was wrong to ask, but I can understand G's motivation from some of your comments, and I think I know how I might approach it differently next time.