Comments on: How to Ask for Discounts

By: bodark

bodark — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:39:14 +0000

Sorry to post twice on the same thread.. is that allowed?

Anyhow, the comment about buying a car. It does make me wonder…If you are going to finance the car, you know the payment before you even look for the car. (E.g. Bankrate.com, your FICO, =PMT, Edmonds or Ebay).

Every car dealer has that same knowledge as well, so you are going to “haggle” and see where they can make a little money, and you get the car you want.

If the numbers work, you drive away in your new ride. If not, you leave the way you came. Nothing “unhappy” about that.

Of note, if there is an impending event (you must buy today, or the deal is void). Leave immediately, if they treat you with intimidation before a sale, it will likely not be any better after the sale.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:12:03 +0000

@SR: I did read it, and I didn’t understand it… but I do now that you clarified, so thank you. It wasn’t an insult to you, just letting you know that I didn’t understand.

With haggling, practice makes perfect, although I will say that the process is usually best used by certain personality types while better left alone by other personality types… so we should identify our strengths before going in.

Also, I would argue to say that car buying is one of the least satisfying major purchases, not because of haggling, but because the majority of the time people are going into debt for the purchase.

Save money, haggle price, pay with cash = happy.

By: SR

SR — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:01:50 +0000

Not that difficult to understand if you take the time to read it.

Why is car buying one of the least satisfying major purchases? Because invariably one haggles.

And it may not be so for you but most people come out of a car buying experience feeling less satisfied because however much research they may have done, they feel they did not get the best price possible.

So for a lot of us, haggling is an unsatisfying process. So this is not to say that you should not haggle but you always come back wondering if you should have been more aggressive or more demanding and perhaps the price would be better.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:58:11 +0000

@SR: What? That comment was lost on me. Does anyone understand what he/she was trying to say?

By: SR

SR — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:58:30 +0000

I hope we don’t become a nation where every purchase has to be haggled. Typically I feel LESS satisfied with a purchase I have haggled for because I end up feeling I could have paid less.

By: Torrey

Torrey — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:27:19 +0000

I can totally related to this. I just hired movers 2 days ago and save about $150 by negotiating and having cash. In addition, I also like to say, “That’s just not good enough.” Then I remain quiet until they respond. That works a lot for me as well. Great post.

By: Matt Jabs

Matt Jabs — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:28:16 +0000

The statement, “You never know until you try” still cannot be debated. So for those who care & wish to try saving $ here & there… ask. For those who don’t… don’t.

By: Master Allan

Master Allan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:30:46 +0000

I agree with #3. Years ago while in college I worked electronics at a Target store. A few times a week customers would try and haggle using some of the tips from the posting. Unless the item is broken or clearly improperly labeled I had no interest in hitting the override key on the cash register. I went to work focusing on providing excellent service but my hourly wage was fixed like the prices in my mind. If our department was #1/10 or 10/10 for sales my salary never changed. Unlike other countries or other retail models there was little motivation to “do what it takes to make the sale”. The store manager cares for their career and a possible end of year bonus but mere peons, the bulk of the workforce, do not consider it a priority.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:06:32 +0000

I don’t really haggle much at all but I think its just fine to do so. Nothing wrong with it at all. You can haggle anywhere you want to. Just don’t expect it to always work. I would never expect haggling to work at a gas station. But you could successfully haggle at department stores or restaurants but its not too typical. You just need to know how to go about doing it and it depends on the store in question. Anytime you’re dealing with a salesperson (who is likely on commission) you have someone to haggle with. If you can talk to a manager they may have freedom to haggle on anything.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:43:48 +0000

I posted about a month ago about how I was able to bargain with my barber to get a discount on haircuts in return for my regular business. I never thought of it before, and I’m sure there are plenty of other times we can apply this. You can bargian with a landlorn over rent. Also, at department stores, there often is a way to bargain: buy the floor model or find a slightly damaged item. My roommate was able to save a few hundred dollars off of a tv by negotiating with a manager at Bestbuy. You just have to find the right person to talk to.

By: Srikks

Srikks — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:31:38 +0000

There is no place for haggling in Super Markets, Gas Stations, Restaurants, Departmental stores or for that matter any online store because you have to pay the listed price. There are very few places where we can haggle in United States. For example while buying a car, house or buying certain things over the phone.

By: Bodark

Bodark — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:41:41 +0000

If you have a job – you’re hagglin’. Your company negotiated the 401(k) fees, the fund line up, your Health Coverage Providers (HMO, PPO, etc.)and if you have a DB Plan that too is negotiated(insert Jimmy Hoffa).

Love the suggested tactic of “Flash Cash” and “Silent Treatment”… WORKS WONDERS!

If you live in a border state, practice in Mexico. I am pretty sure this is a pastime, only second to football (soccer to us north of the Rio Grand)

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:20:39 +0000

I love haggling and getting a better price, it feels amazing. Some people may feel that pride holds them back from trying, but my pride comes from what I’m able to save by asking. I’m always looking to hear some good negotiation stories, so if you have them, send them my way!