How to haggle on certain goods/services? (sorry, long-ish post!)?

celchu262

OK, so I've got three situations here; one involves me, the other involves a friend.

I'm looking at getting some garden stuff from B&Q (equipment like lighting, Christmassy stuff etc.) even though it's the wrong time of year for gardening, and am looking to haggle on certain items I like. I'm not good at haggling, is it even worth it in B&Q, for certain things, or last-of-line stuff?

Then there's my other thing I'm trying to haggle on; is it worth haggling on certain clothes in M&S? (I don't know how often their ranges change, I know of Per Una, but that's really about it). When's it worth haggling on this?

It isn't worth it for food and drink is it, late at night before store closes? I was considering driving to my local one and trying to get some late night deals, worth it or not? (I've only ever really bought from motorway services or petrol stations for really late night food).

Problem 2: My friend's a professional in his 30s, based in Yorkshire, does the occasional commute up to North East, he's currently single. He's considering using a dating agency since he's time-poor, cash-rich (well, time-poor, middle-class). Time-poor since he's got a lengthy drive (freelancer, won't say any more about his job for his privacy). He's not playboy wealthy, but wealthy enough to own a luxury Merc saloon!

On-line dating and Tinder never really worked for him even though he's a good guy/nice guy. OK, so he's no Chris Evans (Captain America, that is, not the ginger one!) but he's not ugly either.

Anyway, he's done some basic research on dating agencies and looked at two national ones.

The first dating agency, which I'll refer to as D1, has fees starting from £15,000 plus VAT.

The second dating agency, referred to as D2, has a fee of £12,000 plus VAT for its membership.

Both dating agencies (not named here to avoid advertising) promise privacy and discretion, which attracted him.

He says he's aware it's a niche market, but then again, he's also serious about a relationship. His view of things is it's no different than paying for someone to fit double glazing; getting an expert to do it or help, basically.

My friend asked me the other week: Is it possible to haggle on a dating agency, and do they do special deals etc.?

His third problem.... he's also looking at getting a new Merc to replace his old one, a model that costs around £33,000 (think it was the C-Class, he said), but would he be able to haggle on a car that's new this year?

Anyway.... I'm looking for advice, would gladly welcome some!