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Don't be afraid to haggle!!
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I'm currently working in Norway alongside another guy from the UK. We both get paid pretty much the same, stay in the same hotel and go to the same few restaurants.
When I first booked into the hotel, I asked to speak to the manager and told him I'd be here for several months and could he do me a better deal on the rate. He said he couldn't reduce the rate but gave me a couple of nights stay for free. I then blagged free bread and salad in the evening, so now tend to have sandwiches for dinner. I mentioned this to my colleague and he looked at me as though I was a weirdo!
I have now just negotiated free TV for the next fortnight (and it costs £10 a day, so quite a good deal) because "I've been here a while and have recommended the hotel to other colleagues". Again, my colleague laughed and said I was "unbelieveable". When I suggested he do the same, he said that he wouldn't lower himself.
The thing is that I must be saving about £6 every evening, have saved £100 with the 2 complementary nights stay and about £90 on the TV package. All because I wasn't ashamed to ask.
I'm the same when I go shopping in the UK, much to my wife's embarrassment, and have managed to get stuff thrown in for free or the item itself discounted. Mrs D always senses a haggle coming on and quickly slopes off :rolleyes: , leaving me to it. This is much better than her old approach which was to burst out in embarrased laughter and slap me on the arm, totally ruining my pitch! :rotfl:
Do any other MSE blaggers receive the same treatment by the pals, colleagues or spouses?
When I first booked into the hotel, I asked to speak to the manager and told him I'd be here for several months and could he do me a better deal on the rate. He said he couldn't reduce the rate but gave me a couple of nights stay for free. I then blagged free bread and salad in the evening, so now tend to have sandwiches for dinner. I mentioned this to my colleague and he looked at me as though I was a weirdo!
I have now just negotiated free TV for the next fortnight (and it costs £10 a day, so quite a good deal) because "I've been here a while and have recommended the hotel to other colleagues". Again, my colleague laughed and said I was "unbelieveable". When I suggested he do the same, he said that he wouldn't lower himself.
The thing is that I must be saving about £6 every evening, have saved £100 with the 2 complementary nights stay and about £90 on the TV package. All because I wasn't ashamed to ask.
I'm the same when I go shopping in the UK, much to my wife's embarrassment, and have managed to get stuff thrown in for free or the item itself discounted. Mrs D always senses a haggle coming on and quickly slopes off :rolleyes: , leaving me to it. This is much better than her old approach which was to burst out in embarrased laughter and slap me on the arm, totally ruining my pitch! :rotfl:
Do any other MSE blaggers receive the same treatment by the pals, colleagues or spouses?
Mortgage Free in 3 Years (Apr 2007 / Currently / Δ Difference)
[strike]● Interest Only Pt: £36,924.12 / £ - - - - 1.00 / Δ £36,923.12[/strike] - Paid off! Yay!!
● Home Extension: £48,468.07 / £44,435.42 / Δ £4032.65
● Repayment Part: £64,331.11 / £59,877.15 / Δ £4453.96
Total Mortgage Debt: £149,723.30 / £104,313.57 / Δ £45,409.73
[strike]● Interest Only Pt: £36,924.12 / £ - - - - 1.00 / Δ £36,923.12[/strike] - Paid off! Yay!!

● Home Extension: £48,468.07 / £44,435.42 / Δ £4032.65
● Repayment Part: £64,331.11 / £59,877.15 / Δ £4453.96
Total Mortgage Debt: £149,723.30 / £104,313.57 / Δ £45,409.73
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Replies
It's got the to stage that people actually ask me to accompany them for their big purchases.
Good for you - I think your colleague's the one who's daft.
You're right though, some people won't do it, and think it's in some way odd, I think it's odd to want to pay more than you have to!
However, big however, I am the non-haggler in a large clan of hagglers. Not exactly embarrassment; I just don't know how to do it - the words don't come. I don't mind trying it if it's for work or for a friend.
My bargains come off the internet. Well, Freecycle mainly
Ah, the old "flirt haggle" ploy. I'm a bit rubbish at this one. I find that a good smile or wink gets the ball rolling, but when I perform the classic combination of gentle pat on the sales assistant's bottom and appreciative nod and raised eyebrow towards their cleavage, I end up losing my discount.
No matter how many times I use this strategy, it fails. Does anyone know where I'm going wrong? Should I pat harder or something?
*confused*
[strike]● Interest Only Pt: £36,924.12 / £ - - - - 1.00 / Δ £36,923.12[/strike] - Paid off! Yay!!
● Home Extension: £48,468.07 / £44,435.42 / Δ £4032.65
● Repayment Part: £64,331.11 / £59,877.15 / Δ £4453.96
Total Mortgage Debt: £149,723.30 / £104,313.57 / Δ £45,409.73
Debt at highest £18249
DEBT FREE SINCE APRIL 29TH 2007:T :T :T
That did make me laugh - Thanks :rotfl:
However, I do love a bargain, and I am not ashamed to go for a cheaper option! My OH is embarrassed when I mention to our 'richer, childless' friends about my bargain hunting. He thinks I am obsessed with saving pennies (which of course I am) and he thinks it is something to be ashamed of. And he comes from a family of bargain hunters.
But well done DD for haggling with the hotel.
Well done DD-I think it's brilliant!
Bunny x
My mum is the one. Dominic Littlewood eat your heart out!
Washing Machines, Dryers, Matressess, Freeview Boxes.. infact everything that she canto be honest. This stuff wasnt even for her but for my cousins but she cant stop herself. She gets hefty discounts or gets them to throw in freebies.
I am not ashamed as this as long as the shop keeper is happy then what is the problem?