Do you bargain at retail stores?

[Doctor Q]

Do you pay the price shown for merchandise in stores or do you bargain every time you made a purchase? I'm not talking about online sales; I'm talking about retail stores where you buy household goods, supplies, electronics, clothes, furniture, toys, food, or who knows what else.

In some countries and cultures, bargaining is a standard part of the purchase process. In the U.S., some people pay the listed prices for items in a store without thinking about it, while some people regularly negotiate for lower prices and probably save a lot. Almost everyone expects to do some bargaining when buying a car (that's often part of the unpleasantness of that experience), but I think most people pay the listed price for most types of store purchases.

I've read that you can bargain anytime anywhere for anything, but I'm never sure when you could really get away with it. It takes a bit of nerve to challenge a price, negotiate, hold your ground, and be wiling to abandon a purchase if you can't get the price you want.

Not knowing if you got the best possible deal is the nature of bargaining. You might not get every last penny you could have gotten, but you do better than if you don't bargain at all.

Chances are, a store is unlikely to refuse to sell you an item because of a low offer. They'll either accept it, counteroffer, or stick to the initial price, which puts you no worse off than when you started.

Doctor Q Gets a Lesson

Last month I watched a friend of mine, who loves to bargain, go into action at a furniture store. He asked for the salesperson's best offer (and got it, below the listed price), then asked for the manager and asked him if he could do better (he did). Then my friend made a still-lower offer. The manager complained that he didn't have room to cut that much, but my friend didn't relent. He introduced himself and told what business he is in, shook hands, and promised to tell friends about the store, but stood firm on the price until the manager agreed (somehow he magically DID have room to cut the price), and with a bit more shaved off the price too.

I was already impressed, but my friend, who was polite but unbending, didn't stop there. He "thought about it" and then wrote the guy a check for even less than the previous offer. The manager looked at it, scowled, went away, and then came back with the paperwork for the purchase. He took the deal! Both of them were perfectly friendly as the manager did the paperwork; no hard feelings. I'm sure he still made a profit, or he wouldn't have sold it for that price.

All in all, my friend saved about $350 on an item listed at $1200. I was fascinated and at the same time a little embarrassed to watch it transpire, because it felt like he was "mean" to repeatedly question their "best offer". But I could see it was just "doing business", not something personal, and it made me feel a bit ashamed for all the times I've thought getting "$20 off because I'm a nice guy" from a salesman was a great deal, without asking for a better one.

* * *

What about the rest of you? Do you bargain? Where have you been successful or unsuccessful?

[Warbrain]

I don't bargin unless I have to. I've never been good at it, and I doubt I ever will be. I know I could get things for cheaper than what I get them for, but it's not usually worth my hassle. I want something, I get it, and I'm done.

[PlaceofDis]

anywhere they don't make commission you'll be pretty unsuccessful. and i rarely shop in those types of stores so no i dont bargin having worked retail and knowing that 99% of stores won't deal with it.

[CorvusCamenarum]

I remember reading somewhere that furniture stores usually have a markup of around 200-400%. They can afford to go way under their "listed" price and still make a profit.

Whenever I'm the market for a high dollar purchase, I always assemble as much information as I can about it beforehand. Cars especially so; I always know exactly what the dealer paid for it and add on a fair profit to that figure. I got my last car for dealer cost + 5%, well under the sticker.

When paying for something in cash, I almost always ask for a discount. At the very least, they're going to lose 5% or so to the credit card company on the transaction, so you can generally shave at least that much off the price.

The thing to remember is that regardless of what any salesperson tells you, you are in total control of the deal. You can always take your money and walk out, and sometimes you'll have to do just that.

[dbhays]

My mother works in a furniture store and yes, you are expected to haggle over prices. They mark everything way up, knowing they will lose about 10% when negotiating the price. Each price tag has a code on which the sales person can see the "real price". You can also negotiate delivery fees.


I hate negotiating though. I am a sticker price kind of guy, though I recently bought a new SUV and negotiated the price from 24,000 to 18,000. I felt good about that. Unfortunately, they tried to add 3,000 to the price by add ons. 1500 for an alarm they said was already installed, but then I got a call from the dealer to have the alarm installed. I got a refund instead.

[Mammoth]

I didn't even know they allowed bargaining at retail stores.

[jamone80]

its hard to bargain at Target....man, i wish i knew how.:o

[Graeme A]

im english, and as such would rather curl up and die than haggle in a store.

mind, i have seen it done by my old flat-mate in germany to some great effect. me, if it says 10 bucks, i pay 10, not ask if 7 is enough...

[extraextra]

It probably won't work in a retail store. Furniture stores, yes! In some electronic stores, you can work around it (I don't actually "haggle" or "bargain", I just go on and on about how I've been a customer for the longest time and how I'm a poor student.. *cough*). Jewlery stores, like Tiffany's and Cartier, can give you like 15% off the price if you're friendly enough and the item is expensive enough. (They're not going to give you anything off a $100 necklace!)

[OutThere]

I would definitely bargain at place like furniture stores, places with salesmen that actually work with you to make a sale. Antiques stores also work (if you know what you're doing).

Most places I'd think of have pretty firm pricing...

I keep getting this image of me trying to haggle down the price of a tube of toothpaste or roll of toilet paper at Wal-Mart (even though I never go there):

Me: This is priced at 1.99. Can you give it to me for 1.79?
Cashier: Derrrrr.
Me: Here's 1.79. Take it or leave it.
Cashier: Derrrrrr.
Me: I'm leaving.
Cashier: *smiles*

[jessica.]

I think the only thing I've ever bargained for was a car. That's it. Otherwise I find it to be a huge embarrassment.

[Unorthodox]

Only for cars.

One time I negotiated the price to $50 above what I thought the car was worth.
All this bartering took several days.
They guy wouldn't go any lower. So I walked.
Oh man, the guy was so pissed.
He started yelling and swearing at me.

I went to the dealer across town and told the sale guy what I would pay for the car.
He's like "No way can I give it to you for that."

Then I told him what happened at the last dealer I went to.
He went to talk to his manager.
The manager came over, shook my hand, and said, "If I ever find out that one of my guy didn't sell someone a car over $50, I'm gonna kick their *** across the parking lot."

I got the car for the price I wanted.

[EricNau]

It would depend on the store.

There's no way I'd try to bargain at my local Apple Store, but at other stores such as furniture or specialized electronics stores I have no problem trying to save myself a little money.

...And I truly believe you are supposed to haggle when buying a car.

[Kwyjibo]

I think the only thing I've ever bargained for was a car. That's it. Otherwise I find it to be a huge embarrassment.


Statistically this is more of a male thing, we learned that in one of my introductory business classes for some reason.

I've bargained for furniture, cars, and apartments at various points, the apartment was the best, we snagged free parking because they were desperate to fill the space. I would also bargain in person or at a higher end electronics store, and I always offer to pay in cash, that can usually get you something in itself.

[question fear]

You can't "haggle" in most retail stores...the best thing to do is to beat the system...for example, when i was a manager for Borders, I routinely allowed use of coupons repeatedly for one customer, before/after expirations, gave discounts if someone had an unpleasant experience, etc. The people who got those discounts were the ones who approached it politely. If you came to my cashier and said "I have this coupon" and you played dumb about expiration, and asked politely if you could use it, you would get it, no problem. If you were a jerk about it, you would probably get it THAT TIME...but we'd watch for future abuse. Whereas the people who were polite and well mannered we'd be more inclined to help. When you aren't on commission, haggling just annoys people who already have less incentive to go above and beyond, and believe me, there's very little good that often comes from the sort of abuse people heap on retail workers.

[maxterpiece]

I negotiated the rent on my apartment down 20%. When I was in China it took me like 20 minutes of playing charades to buy anything. I got prices down by, on average, about 70%... at least 70% off the stupid rich white person price (i'm only rich by 3rd world countries' standards). And when you're negotiating there it's all smiles and buddy buddy language. You're not supposed to get mad. It's like a game. They really have fun doing it.

I used to always feel uncomfortable negotiating, but I'd also feel uncomfortable when I felt like I was getting ripped off. After negotiating in a language taht I only spoke like 50 words of, I feel much more comfortable. I think almost any high priced item is negotiable.

[WildCowboy]

I really hate to bargain. But I did my homework before buying my first car and geared up to hash it out at the dealership. Based on my research, I had it firmly in my mind that I should be able to get the car I wanted for about $5000 under the sticker price. So what happens? I arrive at the dealership and see the exact car I wanted (options, color, etc.) with a big sign on the windshield saying "$6000 off sticker price!"

So, no, I don't bargain. :( :cool:

[panoz7]

I bargained when purchasing my car (got rear curtain air-bags and traction control for free)... but that's it.

My parents own a retail store. They sell custom furniture and contemporary lighting along with more traditional "art." I practically grew up in the store, and have experience from the other side of this.

We don't ever allow customers to bargain. Never. The furniture that we sell is slightly more expensive then the typical furniture store stuff (think tables starting at around $6000). We mark the stuff up some, but certainly not the two or three hundred percent mentioned in the previous posts. Most of the money goes straight to the wood worker. People have a hard time understanding how much effort, skill, and time is required to make the furniture we sell.

When people do try and bargain they usually get a polite no. We explain the stuff I mentioned above. If they don't get it, then frankly we don't want them as customers.

I have no issue with people trying to bargain. It's their initiative and they are more then welcome to try it in my parent's store. I would have a problem with the guy that Dr. Q mentioned... I think he was pushing his luck to the point of being rude. If I were the furniture salesmen I wouldn't have given in.

[Doctor Q]

I have no issue with people trying to bargain. It's their initiative and they are more then welcome to try it in my parent's store. I would have a problem with the guy that Dr. Q mentioned... I think he was pushing his luck to the point of being rude. If I were the furniture salesmen I wouldn't have given in.Actually, his wife told me that he was "just getting started." I get the feeling that for some people it's a kind of blood sport. :eek:

I'll tell my story from yesterday, which is why the subject came up for me this week:

Doctor Q Applies His Lesson

After watching my friend's performance, I was emboldened to do better than I usually do. Yesterday I had to buy a new mattress at a matress store, so it was a chance to test my skill.

The posted price for the set I wanted was $600, but I said I didn't want the box springs since I'd use my own platform. That made it $500. The salesman told me his special price (because I'm a nice guy?) was a big savings, $150 off, so that made it $350. (See CorvusCamenarum's post above about furniture markups.)

Rather than say "wow, that's great, I'll take it" I said it was too much. He came down another $20. Normally, I would have already felt victorious, but this is where my lesson paid off. I "thought about it" some more and then "computed" the price I had in mind on a pocket calculator. I told him I'd pay $256 with no extra charge for delivery.

Rather than toss me out of his store for insulting him and his best offer, he went away to "see if he could manage it". Lo and behold, he decided he could. Since he clearly offers the $350 price to everyone who breathes, and usually gets it, I figure I saved about 27% off what a lot of people pay.

Maybe I could have persisted and done even better (I think that friend of mine would have), but I was happy enough with that price. He made money and I got a good deal, about $100 better than I'd get by accepting the "special deal". Not bad for a few minutes work.

I don't know if I have the temperament to do this all the time (negotiating with the supermarket manager over the price of a box of corn flakes), but it certainly paid off when I did!

It's helpful to know what stores other people got discounts at. If you ever buy a mattress, ask for another 20% off and see if you get it.

[ReanimationLP]

I dont bargain at retail, I just take it for the price.

And I'd get pissed if someone tried to bargain with me on a computer or so.

Its just annoying, and utterly pointless.

[Mammoth]

Another problem I just realised I know I'd have if I tried to bargain is that I'm very young, and most storeowners don't trust people my age period, let alone when they're trying to shave prices down.

[Doctor Q]

Another problem I just realised I know I'd have if I tried to bargain is that I'm very young, and most storeowners don't trust people my age period, let alone when they're trying to shave prices down.There are two things you can do to deal with that issue:

1. Be (or at least appear) confident. Your body language can make a big difference in the impression you make. If you look someone in the eye and say something definite in a confident way, it can cause them to treat you like an older adult because you are acting like one.

2. Arrive informed. Know the value of what you are buying, and be ready to explain/defend the price you want to pay. For example, tell them the price you'd pay elsewhere and that you'd rather buy it from them because... (choices: you are already there, you are a regular customer, you like their support, you need it right away, etc.).

[The Mad Kiwi]

I never used to bargin for stuff because I didn't want to appear cheap or like I couldn't afford it, until one day I was talking to a mate who worked in computer sales, and he told me you can always tell how much you're gonna have to knock off the price by how rich the customer looks, the better dressed they are the the more you're gonna have to knock off the price to close the sale.

If you're ever buying diamond rings you can get them for close to 1/2 whatever the store price is, I got my Wife's engagement ring, list price $6000, paid $3500. And always buy jewelry from the best stores in the richest suburbs where you live, you'll get the cheapest price and they will only sell quality diamonds, cheap jewelry stores sell some dodgy diamonds (they figure that most of their customers don't know what to look for in a good diamond since they don't buy many, the good stores know their customers know what to look for quality wise so they only have good stuff).

The best one to bargin for is rent, you can alway drive them down %15 on what they're asking, just tell the agent how you alway pay your rent on time, and how they'll never have to chase you for money. And never let landlords put up the rent on you, just refuse to pay the increase and keep paying the old amount, they're never gonna evict you if you keep paying on time. This can save you $10k in 3 or 4 years easily.

My wife drives a better bargin than me when it comes to car (I don't know why), I always make her buy the cars, she always get an unbelieveable deal.

Mechanics will always slash the price for everything, ask for the manager and tell them you'll pay cash and you don't want a receipt, same with all other tradesmen. Cash no receipt.

Cheap furniture is easy to drive them down on price, but I don't even try on good furniture (I've got a thing for nice furniture) they know they're the only place you can buy from and they won't budge an inch. Although if there's a long lead time, you say you need it straight away and see if they'll sell you floor stock, they'll cut money off floor stock.

Extra profit is pretty much built into everything you buy and the seller is always trying to get the best price they think they can, your job is to get the best price you can.

[knackroller]

I know I should bargain, but I rarely do. How could one psych oneself to bargain?

[rdowns]

I never used to bargin for stuff because I didn't want to appear cheap or like I couldn't afford it, until one day I was talking to a mate who worked in computer sales, and he told me you can always tell how much you're gonna have to knock off the price by how rich the customer looks, the better dressed they are the the more you're gonna have to knock off the price to close the sale.



Poor advice and a poor salesmen in my opinion. When I sold computer at retail (anyone remember ComputerLand?), a guy walked in in ripped shorts, baggy T-shirt and sandals. I was new and the other reps all had something to do in the office or back room. I approached the guy, spent a half hour with him and sold him an Apple //gs for his kids. He came back a week later dressed the same. Had a lot of questions that I didn't have answers to. I spent about an hour with him and we worked through the problems.

I get a call 2 weeks later from him. Asks me if we have a corporate sales program. Turns out he worked for Chemical Bank (big NY bank later acquired by Chase). They bought millions of dollars of PCs and related products from me over the years.

[generik]

Only for cars.

One time I negotiated the price to $50 above what I thought the car was worth.
All this bartering took several days.
They guy wouldn't go any lower. So I walked.
Oh man, the guy was so pissed.
He started yelling and swearing at me.

I went to the dealer across town and told the sale guy what I would pay for the car.
He's like "No way can I give it to you for that."

Then I told him what happened at the last dealer I went to.
He went to talk to his manager.
The manager came over, shook my hand, and said, "If I ever find out that one of my guy didn't sell someone a car over $50, I'm gonna kick their *** across the parking lot."

I got the car for the price I wanted.

Ok I am going to try to do that for a MBP at the local Applecentre, I think a MBP is only worth $1500, wish me luck! :D

[jimsmac]

I always try to have a bargain with stores for high value items.

One thing I always keep in mind is that if I can't get any money off, I'll try to get something 'extrat' of the same value as the money I want off for free. I keep in mind the cost to them of that 'extra' is far less than the cost to me at retail.

I also subtely let them know that I know who else sells the product locally, and that I'll be headed there next if I don't get the deal here.

[Unorthodox]

Ok I am going to try to do that for a MBP at the local Applecentre, I think a MBP is only worth $1500, wish me luck! :D
I wish you luck, a gun and a ski-mask. ;)

[kahos]

Only if I think I can get away with it without making a fool out of myself, which is not often

I'd be ashamed to try bargaining at the bookstore or at the grocery store

[Doctor Q]

We just got estimates for some mini-blinds for the house. The price quote form the company we liked best was for a few hundred dollars. Instead of telling them OK, we said that we are a returning customer so we should get a discount. They said ok and took off $50! :)

Now that I see what these "counteroffer" superpowers can do, I'm gonna go right down to the bank and see if I can talk the ATM into giving me some extra cash with my withdrawal!

[Koodauw]

Moving into my first apartment, I had to do some furnishing. I was a good shopper, shopped around, and found a good deal, and bought it. I was very eager to by as sitting on the floor is no fun. I still feel I got a good deal, however the other day I was out shopping with my parents, who wanted help me out with a few things for the new place, and found that negotiating is rather simple.

We ended up getting about 15% knocked off some small furniture items with a simple asking of, is this the best price you can do? I think it really depends on the place, product, and people.

I know even working retail, I certainly go out of my way to find coupons and adjust prices where I can for the customers I see coming in often.

[IJ Reilly]

The most important tool in bargaining is being prepared to walk. You not only have to be prepared to walk, the salesperson has to know you are -- a good salesperson knows the look of desire. And if you don't get the price you want, do the walk. I've walked out of innumerable car dealerships that weren't willing to discuss price honestly.

Incidentally, from hard experience I've learned that it does zero good to know dealer cost on a car. This has no bearing on whether you get the car for the best price. Car dealers get all sorts of incentives and hold-backs from the manufacturers, and they change frequently. Comparison shopping is the only way to get the best price, and you have to compare prices for the exact same car over a relative short period of time. Any deviations, and you have no idea.

[Counterfit]

I told him I'd pay $256 with no extra charge for delivery.
You are such a geek. :rolleyes:
Like we didn't know that already though.

When I got a car (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=228344) just over a month ago, the dealer did all the haggling necessary. The best time to go is when they need to make room on a small lot for new models. I ended up paying about $1500-2000 under what most people did on it.

[SpookTheHamster]

God, I used to work in Halfords (a retail car parts/cycle store) people used to try to haggle with us all the time over everything from Sat Nav units to air fresheners, bikes to brake pads. It was seriously annoying, most of the people that tried to haggle struck me as grade A dicks. Why would I give you something for cheap if you're an arsehole to me? If a customer was extremely nice, I'd give them things I wasn't supposed to, but never if they asked.

"I wants don't get"

[Lyle]

All in all, my friend saved about $350 on an item listed at $1200. I was fascinated and at the same time a little embarrassed to watch it transpire, because it felt like he was "mean" to repeatedly question their "best offer".I can so relate to that feeling. Like most people, I will haggle over the price of a car, but I've never tried to do so for other items. We bought some new furniture back in January and it never occurred to me to try to negotiate a lower price -- we were just happy that we'd bought it on "sale". :o

[ToddW]

cars, furniture, and property at the local shops. i have haggled quite a bit with people over other things though.

[theBB]

Statistically this is more of a male thing, we learned that in one of my introductory business classes for some reason.

Well, I don't know the statistics about female ones, but my mom is a serious haggler. I once saw her haggling about the price of a pencil at mom and pop stationary store. This was no fancy pencil, either. Just a cheap pencil. Now, that felt embarassing.

I try to negotiate for large ticket items as well, but there are few stores in the US where you can actually do it. Who do you negotiate with at IKEA? That pretty much leaves cars and mechanics. Of course, if you go the mechanic with a dead battery, he does not give you a good deal on a new one. What am I gonna do if I refuse his price, ask for a jump so that I can drive to the next store? :)

In any case, I don't enjoy negotiating. I'd rather search for low prices on the internet and shop online or at a large retailer with the lowest price for that particular item.

[Doctor Q]

Rather than haggle with a car dealer themselves, some people hire "car buyers" to get them a good deal, but I don't know much about what these people actually do. Are they great hagglers who argue for a good price on your behalf, or are they simply middlemen (sorry, middlepeople) who have discount deals with car dealers? Has anybody used one of these services?

[IJ Reilly]

Rather than haggle with a car dealer themselves, some people hire "car buyers" to get them a good deal, but I don't know much about what these people actually do. Are they great hagglers who argue for a good price on your behalf, or are they simply middlemen (sorry, middlepeople) who have discount deals with car dealers? Has anybody used one of these services?

I have, out of disgust with dealing with car salespeople who will lie right to your face and think you don't know. I bought two new cars using a broker. They generally deal directly with the fleet sales department. I don't know if I got the absolutely best possible deal on the cars this way, but it was headache-free, which counts for something. A lot, in fact!

[kretzy]

I'm terrible at hagglig/bargaining so if I know I'm going to be purchasing something expensive, I'll take someone along who is good at it. They always manage to get a lower price or something free thrown in.

[WildCowboy]

I have, out of disgust with dealing with car salespeople who will lie right to your face and think you don't know. I bought two new cars using a broker. They generally deal directly with the fleet sales department. I don't know if I got the absolutely best possible deal on the cars this way, but it was headache-free, which counts for something. A lot, in fact!

How much do you pay for that service? Is is a flat fee or a percentage of the price of the car?

[jericho53]

Poor advice and a poor salesmen in my opinion. When I sold computer at retail (anyone remember ComputerLand?), a guy walked in in ripped shorts, baggy T-shirt and sandals. I was new and the other reps all had something to do in the office or back room. I approached the guy, spent a half hour with him and sold him an Apple //gs for his kids. He came back a week later dressed the same. Had a lot of questions that I didn't have answers to. I spent about an hour with him and we worked through the problems.

I get a call 2 weeks later from him. Asks me if we have a corporate sales program. Turns out he worked for Chemical Bank (big NY bank later acquired by Chase). They bought millions of dollars of PCs and related products from me over the years.

I agree you should never judge a customer by the way they dress. I work at a luxury retail store. A few of my best customers always dress casual. Most of them are so wealthy they do not care how they are dressed sometimes. Additionally, they could care less of what I think. As for young people, you never know if that young kid's dad is mayor, bank president, etc. Ok...we're getting a little of topic. I will stop rambling now.

[IJ Reilly]

How much do you pay for that service? Is is a flat fee or a percentage of the price of the car?

I'm sure it varies, but I paid a flat fee, around $150 I believe, but that was several years ago. I suspect the broker may also have received a kickback from the dealer. I also recall that the broker's fee was on a sliding scale -- higher for a more expensive car.

[atomheartmother]

In the guitar world, almost everyone haggles the prices down; it's expected. I'd never pay retail for guitar stuff. Once you get to know the salespeople, it gets a lot easier.

I wouldn't try haggling at your average retail/department store: Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, JC Penny, Pier 1, etc. You'd probably be wasting your breath.

[sushi]

I agree you should never judge a customer by the way they dress.
Yep, so very true.

One of my wealthy friends usually dresses so causal (farmer/ranch style) that you would never guess his wealth. Most of his purchases are discounted considerably. He is awesome at bargaining.

[lamina]

As a Best Buy Canada employee, I get really annoyed when a customer tries to bargain, since we are a non-commission business.

However, if a customer is really nice or patient depending on the circumstances, I often throw in a USB printer cable (with a system purchase) for free... that's all we really can do, but hey it beats paying $30 friggin dollars for a $2 product.

[Doctor Q]

One of my wealthy friends usually dresses so causal (farmer/ranch style) that you would never guess his wealth. Most of his purchases are discounted considerably. He is awesome at bargaining.Aha! If I dress up very nicely, they will assume I'm poor, feel sorry for me, and give me a huge discount!

[Abstract]

Rather than haggle with a car dealer themselves, some people hire "car buyers" to get them a good deal, but I don't know much about what these people actually do. Are they great hagglers who argue for a good price on your behalf, or are they simply middlemen (sorry, middlepeople) who have discount deals with car dealers? Has anybody used one of these services?

I did. The sticker price on my car was around $13877 USD (I live in Australia and used the Conversion widget to get these prices), and the car broker got it for me for $12460. It's not an expensive car at all, and I really couldn't get a better price myself, despite starting a thread here and getting lots of tips about negotiating car prices. :p It's still a good deal though. That's $1400 off a cheap car, and I had absolutely no headaches this way. :)

The guy charged me $50 for this "negotiating" service, and gave me a price. If I liked the price and bought the car, he probably got money from the dealership I bought it from. That's fine. The people at the dealership treated me like every other customer, and not a second-rate customer who "went through the broker and paid less." which is fantastic. They even drove 40 minutes and delivered the car to my door!! :eek: :eek: :cool: They brought 2 cars so that the guy who delivered my car to me had a way to get home.

[howard]

i worked, with commission, at a store that got a lot of bargainers. I personally could not stand most bargainers! and a lot of time I did not tolerate them. No I'm not going to give you 30%-50% off this 1 item because you ask.. I'm making little enough as it is! Now don't get me wrong, if people are buying a bunch of items and spending a lot of money, I'll even shave some points off if they don't ask, so that they will come back and spend money with me, and I'll always do that with good customers or people who have shopped with me before. But don't come up and ask for a $500 item at $300 and expect me to give you the deal. or asking for a lower price on a sale item, that we are actually only making 5% on now. And asking to "speak with a manager" is basically telling the salesman he's not good at his job. Good luck getting any customer support from him, if its that kind of item you are buying.

to make a long story short, i'd say if the item is over $1000 10% is a respectable number to ask for as a discount. 20% is possible at some stores but don't ask for more. And if you want to get customer support form the salesman in the future, don't even ask.

[Glen Quagmire]

I've only haggled once, when I bought my last car (a VW Golf) back in April. I had done some research on the web and had a web price that I could get through a broker. I went to the local dealer, had a test drive and sat down with the salesman. I said "I can get it for X on-line. Match that and you have a sale, otherwise I'm off."

I got the deal, the salesman got some commission and I got a very nice car a couple of weeks later.

I haven't dared haggle in a "normal" retail store yet.

[sushi]

Aha! If I dress up very nicely, they will assume I'm poor, feel sorry for me, and give me a huge discount!
You never know, they might! ;)

[Kwyjibo]

Well, I don't know the statistics about female ones, but my mom is a serious haggler. I once saw her haggling about the price of a pencil at mom and pop stationary store. This was no fancy pencil, either. Just a cheap pencil. Now, that felt embarassing.

I try to negotiate for large ticket items as well, but there are few stores in the US where you can actually do it. Who do you negotiate with at IKEA? That pretty much leaves cars and mechanics. Of course, if you go the mechanic with a dead battery, he does not give you a good deal on a new one. What am I gonna do if I refuse his price, ask for a jump so that I can drive to the next store? :)

In any case, I don't enjoy negotiating. I'd rather search for low prices on the internet and shop online or at a large retailer with the lowest price for that particular item.

The numbers are generalities, we can all find exceptions. I know plenty of guys who would never ask for any money off anything.

I actually find that in the right scenario doing internet research can net you a great discount in person ...

[erickkoch]

Yes, I bargain at retail stores, but only on "open items". I recently got a good deal on a $50 hand vac, I got the display model for $18 at Linens-N-Things. Works perfectly and looks clean. Also haggled for a $39 electric cooler at Target, got it for $10 because there was no box or manual. Works great and I use it on road trips.

Never hurts to ask.

[®îçhå®?]

I never bargain but i think i might have to start. I cant see the point in bartering over a £100 purchase but everything above say, 500, i think i should. It might get me a good deal so that i can save money and buy some addons for it to make it even better.

[IJ Reilly]

At book stores, you can sometimes get on request a discount for books that are dog-eared or noticeably scuffed. This is known in the trade as "shelf worn." At some point, I presume these books go back to the distributor.

The best way to get a "deal" in a consumer electronics store is to have a lower price in hand from another dealer, online or otherwise. If the salesperson can't match your price, or at least come close -- walk, and buy from the other source.

[macEfan]

I only bargin at flea markets.

[IJ Reilly]

I only bargin at flea markets.

I'll bet you've bought a lot of fleas, at very good prices. :)

[Zwhaler]

I never bargain because I once tried and failed and felt like an idiot.

[devilot]

Yes, I bargain at retail stores, but only on "open items".Yeah, I do do that... if some clothing has a slight stain, or a tiny hole (that I know I or my mom can fix) then I'll ask for a discount of sorts. Otherwise, haggling is left for bigger purchases (cars*, furniture, etc.) and usually done by my dad who doesn't mind looking like a cheap, hard-assed, bas#ard. :p

*My car price could not be negotiated since MINIs were/are a hot item and in high demand, most dealerships were charging anywhere from $500-$2,000 ON TOP of MSRP and the dealership I was at charged exactly MSRP. :( They were impossibly firm and there's no wiggle room as other people were on wait-lists for over 1.5 years.

[Doctor Q]

I never bargain because I once tried and failed and felt like an idiot.Some people get that feeling after unsuccessfully asking a girl (or boy) for a date. Perhaps it takes a similar amount of bravery.

I notice that some posters have said "it never hurts to ask" and that what I heard was right, that it's just business, not personal. But others who have worked as salespersons say they resent such questions and even hold a grudge if the customer comes back for service! :eek:

[devilot]

I notice that some posters have said "it never hurts to ask" and that what I heard was right, that it's just business, not personal. But others who have worked as salespersons say they resent such questions and even hold a grudge if the customer comes back for service! :eek:*shrug* I also feel it doesn't hurt to ask (as long as it's done politely and with tact) and I've worked in both retail (commission and non-commission based) in direct sales; it wouldn't really bother me if people ask because I figure everyone would like to save a buck or two and I know it is about business.

[tringo]

My second home and where I spent the summer is Turkey. and let me just say that Turkey and maybe even all of eastern-Europe is the king of haggling.

They have huge markets and it's assumed that you haggle for everything. People even barter the price of a hot dog.

Also, one of my friends works at Best Buy and he said that most of the managers there will lower the price on big ticket items if you are polite.

[Jschultz]

My second home and where I spent the summer is Turkey. and let me just say that Turkey and maybe even all of eastern-Europe is the king of haggling.

They have huge markets and it's assumed that you haggle for everything. People even barter the price of a hot dog.

Also, one of my friends works at Best Buy and he said that most of the managers there will lower the price on big ticket items if you are polite.

I work at Circuit City, and let me tell you, I get hagglers ALL the time, and I can't stand it.

Just the other day, a guy comes in to buy a 50" samsung plasma TV. Nothing else. No cables, no dvd, no sound system, not even the highly, highly reccomended service plan. He has the audacity to ask "so take off $300". I blink and ask him " sir, what have YOU done for ME to ask for that?" This guy has no answer. I politely told him we could take care of his tax for him. That's it.

However, we ALWAYS will take care of you if you're getting everything you need. If you buy yourself a shiny new 40" lcd tv with service plan, a wall mount or stand, installation, sound system, and dvd/hd cable package...I will GLADLY give you 10-15% off. In those cases, I have no problem saving you upwards of $500.

Most people don't understand that we as retail stores with no comission only start with 30 points of margin on MSRP. So say we run a 15% off sale. We're down to only 15 points of margin. So then, it starts to get tight. We've got to stay profitable. And then customers get pissed and say "i'll just go to best buy!"...well then...good! Let them lose money, not I.

so when haggling, please be courteous and know your product.

I'm going to buy a ring for the woman, and have found that many diamonds are marked up 200% in the retail stores. THAT I will haggle on!

[IJ Reilly]

I'm going to buy a ring for the woman, and have found that many diamonds are marked up 200% in the retail stores. THAT I will haggle on!

I suspect this is exactly how other people feel about $3,000 plasma TVs...

[Jschultz]

I suspect this is exactly how other people feel about $3,000 plasma TVs...

But it should be THEIR job to be educated before making a purchase. There is much, much more room to haggle on something that has a super massive markup and where negotiation has been happening since always. It is widely accepted that haggling on electronics in a non-commission stores gets you nowhere.

(that is unless, it is an open box item, in which case I will sell it to you for our cost, since I want that thing out of there! :D )

[IJ Reilly]

But it should be THEIR job to be educated before making a purchase. There is much, much more room to haggle on something that has a super massive markup and where negotiation has been happening since always. It is widely accepted that haggling on electronics in a non-commission stores gets you nowhere.

(that is unless, it is an open box item, in which case I will sell it to you for our cost, since I want that thing out of there! :D )

Not sure what you mean, exactly. If a customer knows that he can buy a TV for $2,500 online or by mail order and you're selling it for $3,000, then the customer is really just giving you an opportunity to make a sale you'd otherwise have no shot at. If you can't meet that price or at least come close, you should expect that customer to walk away -- just as you would do in the same situation.

[Doctor Q]

It is widely accepted that haggling on electronics in a non-commission stores gets you nowhere.How do you know whether or not it is a non-commission store?

[pink-pony115]

bargaining makes you look ghetto. ;)

[bobber205]

My dad tried to get a desk at the 1/2 price it was a week earlier at Staples.

That claimed some BS about bargaining best "against the LAW". OMG!

I almost cracked up... :D

[jamone80]

I never bargain because I once tried and failed and felt like an idiot.

yeah i hear you on that one...not only do you not get the price you want but the seller makes you look like a dumb-rookie...good times. :p

[Jschultz]

Not sure what you mean, exactly. If a customer knows that he can buy a TV for $2,500 online or by mail order and you're selling it for $3,000, then the customer is really just giving you an opportunity to make a sale you'd otherwise have no shot at. If you can't meet that price or at least come close, you should expect that customer to walk away -- just as you would do in the same situation.

IJ, you bring up a good point.

If a customer were to be stubborn and pig-headed because they are looking to be cheap, it is one thing. But lets say you don't know the benefits of buying in a store (after the sale support, return policy, etc) then it'd be different. Once customers realize that we have overhead to pay for, plus we'll take care of them, offer them a GOOD service plan...etc..they will gladly pay retail store price.

You mention that I would be given an opportunity to make a sale I'd have no shot at. Well, that's one way to look at it, but..many online retailers are fishy and have b-stock, refurbished..etc. and their cost is lower than ours. If lets say, bobsplasmadepot.com sells said tv for $2500, and I have it for $3000, and my cost is $2550. Well, no...I will gladly, and promptly send you out of the store, since you'd be wasting your own and my time. I don't feel bad about that at all, but the customer gets pissy all the time, like we just did them a big injustice. Too many people feel like retail revolved around them 100%.

Like I said before, I understand everyone's hunger for THAT big deal, but all things must be taken into account.

Doctor Q- the two biggest electronic retailers, best buy and circuit city are no longer commission. Most ma and pa shops will be, Fry's included. Sears is still commission. I suppose you really wouldn't know, but generally we'll tell you right off the bat. I make it a point to tell people I'm non-commission.

[IJ Reilly]

Some online dealers are good, some are bad. Just like bricks and mortar stores. And it's not too difficult to find out which are which. The bad ones aren't in business for long. If any dealer sells a refurbished product as new, then they are committing a fraud. I've never had this problem.

But I've had enough bad experiences in consumer electronics stores that I now go out of my way to avoid the way they "take care" of me. I recall one time a salesperson wouldn't allow me to put a tape measure on a TV to find out if it would fit on my shelf, unless I bought it first. Seriously, this happened to me. And more.

No, I've been taken care of plenty. These days, I prefer to use a good online retailer and have the goods dropped on my doorstep by UPS. I suspect I'm not the only one to feel this way. Salespeople working in consumer electronics stores should understand this, and that it isn't entirely about price.

[Jschultz]

Some online dealers are good, some are bad. Just like bricks and mortar stores. And it's not too difficult to find out which are which. The bad ones aren't in business for long. If any dealer sells a refurbished product as new, then they are committing a fraud. I've never had this problem.

But I've had enough bad experiences in consumer electronics stores that I now go out of my way to avoid the way they "take care" of me. I recall one time a salesperson wouldn't allow me to put a tape measure on a TV to find out if it would fit on my shelf, unless I bought it first. Seriously, this happened to me. And more.

No, I've been taken care of plenty. These days, I prefer to use a good online retailer and have the goods dropped on my doorstep by UPS. I suspect I'm not the only one to feel this way. Salespeople working in consumer electronics stores should understand this, and that it isn't entirely about price.

This is true.

However, you've got to understand that customer service varies store to store.

Funny though, I am VERY comfortable buying a $2000 laptop online, delivered to my door, though I feel weird buying a TV set online. :confused:

BTW, I've purchased TV's from Tigerdirect.com ..so I know exactly where you're coming from!

[shecky]

Most people don't understand that we as retail stores with no comission only start with 30 points of margin on MSRP. So say we run a 15% off sale. We're down to only 15 points of margin. So then, it starts to get tight. We've got to stay profitable. And then customers get pissed and say "i'll just go to best buy!"...well then...good! Let them lose money, not I.


i mean this with absolutely no disrespect to you whatsoever, but i can assure you that the store's profitability and margin is the absolute last thing on a consumers mind when they are negotiating a price for a purchase. i for one, could care less about your profit margin, i only care about my final cost. the only thing that matters is reaching a price that i like and that you are willing to take for the product. if either side is not happy, no sale. very simple.

and as a side note, it is all about add-ons. i think most people understand that stuff like cables are more profitable than the hardware, but i am not sure they know the real mark-up. i have a relationship with a few comp usa's near me and i usually get cost on all product. i needed a 10' USB A/mini-B cable recently.

retail: $28.

my cost?

$3.20

[Jschultz]

i mean this with absolutely no disrespect to you whatsoever, but i can assure you that the store's profitability and margin is the absolute last thing on a consumers mind when they are negotiating a price for a purchase. i for one, could care less about your profit margin, i only care about my final cost. the only thing that matters is reaching a price that i like and that you are willing to take for the product. if either side is not happy, no sale. very simple.

and as a side note, it is all about add-ons. i think most people understand that stuff like cables are more profitable than the hardware, but i am not sure they know the real mark-up. i have a relationship with a few comp usa's near me and i usually get cost on all product. i needed a 10' USB A/mini-B cable recently.

retail: $28.

my cost?

$3.20

Right, which like I said...if neither side is not happy, no sale..whatever, no big deal. But like I mentioned before, customers will cuss us out, make a scene, and "swear I'll never shop here again" because they tried haggling and failed to reach their price. If it's a busy Saturday and I have only 2 $3000 tv's of a certain brand to sell, why would I sell it to you for less when 2 other people will pay full retail? It's just like a car dealership with a hot car.

And you're right..accessories such as cables have huuuuuge markup. I feel bad selling someone a $150 HDMI monster cable when it's true cost is about $20. THAT is insane markup. Making a few hundred bucks on a $2000 TV is not. but what about when a customer doesn't want add-ons, just the TV? Well, no go.

So yes, I agree..even as *I* am a consumer as well...profitability is the last thing on my mind as well. I understand that as a retailer, and as a consumer.

[Doctor Q]

I'm reviving this thread because the subject of bargaining came up again. A friend of mine (who has more spending money that I do) is planning to buy an upright or baby grand Yamaha piano from a retail piano store. I asked him if he was going to haggle over the price, and he said he didn't know whether he could at that kind of store.

To me it seemed a lot like a furniture store, so I'd assume you can bargain as I've done in furniture stores, but I realize I don't know anything specific about the piano business.

Does anyone know how much they typically mark pianos up at retail piano stores? It would be nice to know if my friend has much leeway to get the price down.

[EricNau]

It would be nice to know if my friend has much leeway to get the price down.
It never hurts to try.

Is this piano store individually owned? If so your chances are much better.

[faintember]

Does anyone know how much they typically mark pianos up at retail piano stores? It would be nice to know if my friend has much leeway to get the price down.Not sure about the markup on a piano, but I know it is very high on wind instruments. For instance a saxophone that costs $6000 at the store would be $4500 if bought through my old teacher who was a representative of the company. I am sure that bargaining could work on the piano, although knowing someone at the store would be a good start.

That said I play vintage instruments (but not just for the ability to easily bargain, hehe).

[Doctor Q]

Is this piano store individually owned?I think it's part of a small regional chain.

[Fearless Leader]

I bargain when I don't have enough or feel like being an ass. (its quite fun)
I did bargain down the price of my G5 though not incredible, got some nice extras.

[ErikCLDR]

My dad is a very good businessman.

He negotiated $700 off my car that had the asking price of 7,000, which was actually a pretty good price for it. I would say thats pretty good.

He does bargain at furniture stores, car dealerships, and places such as that. Not jewelry stores though.

[Chrismcfall]

I haggled in a market in Turkey once, I found it really fun:) Only for clothes, but it was still a good experience.

[Eric Lewis]

No? i just pay the price tag

[tkidBOSTON]

Wow, old thread!

I never bargain at a retail store. Car dealerships and markets are another story...

[Gray-Wolf]

Most stores, do not bargain. Car dealers, may, sometimes. But, they have marked the cars up enough, that they can make you think your getting a bargain, when its really at their selling price.

[Jschultz]

Maybe it's a sign of the times, but I tried bargaining in 3 different jewelry stores this past weekend, and none of them would budge. Sadly, I KNOW there is some markup on diamonds and other precious metals. Especially at a mall chain store!

[Gray-Wolf]

Most markup, is 100-200% That way they can offer "Sales" from time to time.

[Mousse]

I only haggle when it's considered the acceptable norm. ie cars, houses, furnitures, tourist gift shops;). In any grocery or big chain retail (Wal-mart, Target, Sears) it's strictly no-haggle. Mom and pop shops, it depends on the mood of the merchant.:D

I hate dealing with hagglers as well. Several times, I've been called up to deal with a habitual haggler because the sales folks had had enough. ("Not my Department! I work in Accounting, not Sales!":mad: But my protest falls on deaf ears.:( Promoted from bean counter to Manager in under 5 seconds.:D) The few times I've had to deal with them, I RAISE the price. By my logic, if they are allowed to bargain for a lower price, I should be allowed to bargain for a higher price.:p After a few minutes of back and forth, I usually lose my temper. I then demand them either pay above listed price (the PO'd Manager's Fee) or be banned from the shop.:confused::confused::confused: I never said I was rational when I'm PO'd.

I'm happy to say, I haven't been tapped as "Manager" in over a year.:cool::D:p

[WellRedd]

I've done it in the past, when buying my hi-fi in a Cash Converters store. I was so cheeky, and it worked! It felt so good getting a couple of hundred off the price. I've not done it for years though, my bottle is not what it was :(

[Gray-Wolf]

@Mousse

As far as dealing with hagglers, save the frustration and say the set price, is the set price and leave it with that. If they continue to press it, simply say, "That issue has been settled, is there anything else I may help you with?" If they continue to push it, say have a nice day and walk away. You have talked to them provided a response and done your job. :rolleyes:

[souldawg]

The only time I haggled was for the rent of my apartnment in NYC. I managed to get $150 off of the monthly rent (in a rent stabilized building so two years on I am still paying less than the asking price) and I got 15% off the broker fee because I told him I would pay cash.

However when I worked in England at both a travel shoppe and a grocery store I had people haggle with me all the time. At the grocery store we used to discount food that would go off that day. If the people were polite about it, I would mark it down to what they wanted but if they hounded me and were quite in my face about it, I wouldn't discount at all. I think being nice and polite can make all the difference to a sales person.