A lot of people aren’t comfortable haggling, but there’s really no need to be intimidated—the best case scenario is that you’ll save money, and the worst-case scenario is that you’ll be told “no,” which merely confirms the seller’s stated price. To help you land a bargain, here are some common tips to keep in mind when making an attempt.
Know where you can haggle
You’ll be given more leeway to haggle in more informal places that allow for direct negotiation with the seller, such as at garage sales and flea markets, or in pawn shops and thrift stores, or even on Craigslist.
You can sometimes bargain at major retailers, too, but you’ll have more success when it comes to large-ticket items like appliances or electronics (a Consumer Reports study revealed that 59% of people tried to bargain on electronics scored discounts that averaged $84). You’ll likely need to talk to a sales manager in these situations, however, so it’s best to try when stores aren’t busy. Plus, you need to make it worthwhile for the store, too—don’t expect discounts on low-cost, everyday items unless the store’s policies allow for price-matching and you’ve come armed with price-comparison information from other stores.
Don’t be a jerk
Negotiations shouldn’t be adversarial. Remember that haggling is a conversation about price, and that you’re under no obligation to buy anything from a seller, and the seller is in no position to give it to you for less (or to make demands of you, for that matter). Getting emotional or aggressive just suggests the obvious—you’re uncomfortable with negotiating, and shouldn’t be attempting it. A salesperson will be much more likely to help you out if you’re friendly and reasonable.
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Do your research
If you’re ignorant about what you’re buying, you won’t get very far in asking for a discount. Personally, I like to look at stuff in the store before I buy it, especially big electronics items like a TV. But I won’t make any purchase until I’ve read consumer reviews, compared prices, and feel confident that I understand all the features of what I’m buying.
At the very least, you should determine what you think is a fair price. This applies to impulse retail shopping, too—a simple web search on your phone while waiting in line at the register might reveal a competitor is charging a lower price that the retailer might match.
Use cash
Since businesses have to pay up to 3.5% in fees on transactions using a credit card, they’ll be much more likely to knock off that amount if the transaction is paid for in cash. And while it is technically illegal, the reality is that some smaller businesses prefer under-the-table cash transactions, too. Also, don’t underestimate the psychological power of a firm cash offer, as it will signal that you’re a serious buyer (a potential debit transaction just doesn’t grab a retailer’s attention in the same way).
Ask for extras
Sometimes the price of an item is simply non-negotiable and the salesperson’s hands are tied. Still, they might agree on other extras to make the higher price more palatable, like upgrades, free shipping, or free delivery. The trick is to ask before you verbally agree to the sale.
Be willing to walk away
A seller will likely press their luck and refuse to negotiate if they think you’re desperate to buy their product, so you want to show that you’re willing to walk away from the deal. The real advice here is to actually believe that you’re willing to walk away if you don’t get the price that you want. Because a purchase can be an emotional decision, determine your “walk away” price before you start haggling.
