Help me with phrases for bartering

asp746

i managed to get out of debt and over the last couple of yrs managed to get bits of jobs done around the house.

I had a fitted bedroom put in for my dd last yr and i was v pleased. I've now asked the company to come again to quote my room. I am sure i'll get them to do the job as they did a spot on job last time but i dont want them thinking 'well we can charge her what we like cos she's used us before'.

I'm quite sure i'll be shocked when he gives the quote but what can i say to try and get a few quid off. If they say £1500, i spose i can say 'crikey that's a lot more than i was thinking' but apart from that i'm stumped.

cmon guys, every penny counts for me. help me out. thanks

silvercar

They may give you a reasonable price straight off as they know you are likely to pick them; my double glazing company just did!

Otherwise:

Although I would be happy to use you again, that price is way above my budget.

I was impressed with the quality of your work and will use you again provided the cost is reasonable.

That price isn't one that I could agree to at the moment.

The price would need to be lower for me to confirm a booking now.

I am prepared to commit today if the price is right.

I'm sorry that at that price I won't be able to go with you.

your having a laugh!

Seriously, I would rather you gave me your lowest price now, rather than we go through a charade of haggling.

....and don't forget the best is to say nothing at all. Let them fill an embarrasing silence.

Eagle_1

asp746 wrote: »

If they say £1500, i spose i can say 'crikey that's a lot more than i was thinking' but apart from that i'm stumped.

You then say " but as I am a returning customer I will get a 10 % discount on that price "

Be prepared to say no if they seem as they arent gonna give discount(at that stage), if they think the are gonna lose a sale chances are if they can give a discount they will, thats if they genuinely think you will go elsewhere.

My hubby bought lino a few week back, he got £6 knocked off. Most people would pay the price they ask, but he thinks sod it try for a discount

moo2moo

Thank you, but compared to the other quotations I've had that seems a little high.

xy and z are offering free installation / a 25 % discount etc. I'll be giving them a call.

I'm afraid I've allocated £1200 to this project.

Surely you can do better then that?

Do you have a cash price?

Is it gold plated? (usually makes em laugh!)

robpw2

I have seen it online for less

I ll give you a clue it started with a 7 But i want to use you as i trust you

make some freudian slips so if they say its 1200 say so your saying thats 900 well if thats the case ill book you straught away


My biggest tip is watch dont get done get dom it wil be on bbc i player hes like god when it comes to haggling


He helped a lady haggle her way for a 1700 wheelchair to 850 and they threw in spare batteries crutch holder and cover all optional (chargeble) extras

so be cheeky . Be cheeky .

start As low as possible

Dan_Thunder

When they give you a price make sure to spit in their face and point towards the front door!

Alternatively, make it clear to them that they are one of a number of companies you are looking at.

[Deleted User]

"I'm sorry, that's more than we've budgetted for, I don't think we could afford that - is there anything you can do about the price?"

ok, the game is this - the last person to mention a price looses. Your budget is in your head, don't tell them. It's up to them to 'barter down' until they reach it.. kinda like a dutch auction.

We recently got quoted for blinds.. during the sales pitter patter, we mentioned we'd been given the money for the blinds as a present. We told him a price bellow what we could afford, so he'd have room to move. He quoted far more than we were prepared to pay and we just told him to find a better price. 2 minutes later the quote was 90 quid less and we had a deal.

Timmne

I think the word you're looking for is 'haggling' - bartering is where you'd pay them by offering your skill or trade instead of payment (which is illegal BTW!)

Offer them cash (to save on the VAT), if they accept then you can blackmail them when they've done the job and say you'll offer them 50% of the quote otherwise you'll report them for VAT evasion....

Timmne

Also, there's a phrase in buying houses that's something like "if you're not embarrassed by your first offer, it's too high" - you should bear this in mind!

dad-of-4

a bit of clasic inspiration.:rotfl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U74s8nFE7No

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm7K4VM_7Rg

asp746

thanks everyone - seems humour is the best bet. I do have a rough idea of what i'm prepared to pay bearing in mind what i paid last time but....this job is bigger and is going to be expensive regardless.

hopefully, they'll come in with a figure near what i'm prepared/expecting to pay. I'll let you know how i get on.