Don't like the price, ask for a better one! On certain items you can negotiate and win. You, too, can become an expert negotiator.
Haggling over a price doesn’t just apply to cars anymore. You can bargain down the cost on just about any high ticket item. All you have to do is ask. The tactic may not always work, but it never hurts to try.
How to Negotiate a Better Deal:
- Do your homework. If you see a recliner you just love at your local retailer, but found it cheaper at a store 100 miles away, tell the manager. Often, if you come armed with the competition’s sales flyer, they’ll give you the lower price just to keep your business.
- Look online. The world wide web offers not only a huge selection, but also a world of competition for retailers. Often just a quick search will land you a better deal. Print out the offer and see if your local store will either match it or beat it. And consumers forget that online retailers do have 800 numbers. It wouldn’t hurt to call and ask for a deal. Even if that’s not in the cards, the person on the phone may be able to tell you when the item will go on sale or other specials coming up.
- Look for imperfections. If you see a small scratch on an appliance, or a button missing on a dress, ask the salesperson to give you at least a 10 percent discount, but try for 20. And if you bought an item at full price and the next day, it goes on sale, bring it back and demand to get the sale price. A sharp retailer will give you the sale price up to a week later.
- Shop where they know your name. Sometimes you can get a better deal at a local independent store rather than a nationwide chain. If you’re a good customer, and you’re buying a high ticket item, or several high ticket items, you’re likely to have some bargaining power. If you’re getting nowhere with the sales person, ask for the manager. Be polite, but firm. Remember, you can always walk out.
- Use the competition’s coupons. If you’re trying to get a graduation diploma framed, bring in any framing coupon you can find from anywhere. Often stores will honor their competitor’s coupons. And if you don’t have one, ask if the store is running any coupon specials. Often, they will give you a break, even if you don’t hand them any paper.
Remember, it never hurts to ask. Really, what do you have to lose? And with retail markups often at least 50 percent, you have a lot to gain.
The copyright of the article How to Negotiate a Better Deal in Consumer Education is owned by L. Marie Dubuque. Permission to republish How to Negotiate a Better Deal in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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