Haggling to save money
Haggling is not something that is practised widely in the United Kingdom. Many people would rather do without an item that they think is too expensive than to haggle over the price. In many cultures in the world haggling is considered an essential part of conducting a business deal and is almost a sport enjoyed by both parties.
In the UK, if you engage in haggling with a store keeper, you are likely to draw unwelcome attention to yourself from other shoppers who may view you as cheap and holding up the checkout line. Haggling is often a good idea to get a better deal, but it really depends on the situation. You would probably not succeed in any attempt to haggle over isa rates for example, but there may be some items that it is worth haggling over if it does not cause you too much discomfort. If you really want an item but feel it is unfairly priced, it may be worth it to try to get a price cut.
If you feel you may want to try haggling, there are some rules that should be followed so that the experience does not turn unpleasant for you. Haggling can be tried on anything that you buy from dentist costs to car prices. In fact, trying to get a better price on a car is the most common and accepted form of haggling in the UK.
Haggling do’s and don’ts
Don’t say too much when you haggle. Simply make your request for a price cut and see what the vendor has to say and give them a chance to think it over. If you talk too much and try to convince them too strongly, you may come across as desperate to have the item.
Do not take on a pleading tone or you will sound insecure of your position. Vendors who think that you are insecure and desperate to buy something will never give you a bargain price.
Be willing to leave if the seller does not agree to sell the item more cheaply. Remember that there are many other stores that more than likely have the same item and it may already be cheaper there. If you want an item so desperately that you are only halfheartedly making a timid suggestion, the vendor will sense this and make no attempt to lower the price.
Haggling at chain stores is useless and pointless, not to mention annoying to the employees. Chain stores have set prices and employees are not authorised to lower prices unless the item is damaged.
Employees at chain stores typically get a small salary and have no say in what their store decides to charge. Harassing them is unfair and unproductive. If you want to haggle, go to an owner-operator or independent store whose manager may be more willing to negotiate.
Come prepared with competitor prices. If competitors are selling the same item for less, the store may be more willing to change the price because they stand the chance of losing too many sales to the other store if they don’t. Be sure you have the exact prices and do not try to lie about what other stores are charging.
Always be as polite and calm as possible when you are trying to get a price reduced. Do not call anyone names or get angry. This will only make you look bad and draw unwelcome attention to yourself. You also have to remember that if you go into that store again, you will be recognised and more than likely treated less politely than before.
Employees do talk to each other and a particularly unpleasant customer will not be forgotten. There is no need to ruin your reputation to save a few pounds.
Tagged calm, do, dont, haggling, money, polite, price, saving, stores
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DrewJuly 19, 2012 at 10:58 am
Haggling is like a cultural disability in the UK, at least it is with me. Often on holiday abroad I’ll enjoy haggling for souvenirs – it’s expected, otherwise you’ll feel ripped off. Then back to blighty and it’s all stiff-upper-lip, price you see is price you pay attitude. However like you say, I definitely haggle over cars, and more recently mobile phone contracts. I read somewhere a few years back that John Lewis were more open to haggling than other stores.
This week’s pick of personal finance posts - TotallyMoneyJuly 20, 2012 at 2:55 pm
[...] at Sterling Effort, Ash blogged about how to haggle – and when it’s probably not a good idea even to attempt [...]
Ethan BrookeAugust 6, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Great post.
I always find it awkward haggling in store and have to push myself to do it. I feel like a hero just for asking a retailer if they’ll reduce the in-store price to match their own online price! Pathetic.
On the other hand, haggling by phone is a diferent kettle of fish. Without face-to-face contact I feel completely uninhibited about demanding a bonkers price cut.
And I’m have to admit that I sometimes give the poor guy at the call centre a hard time. I know that sounds mean-spirited, but I can’t help myself, I get a bit swept up. Sorry.
Haggling over renewal on car breakdown insurance and gas/electricity contracts is a favourite, because it’s easy. They’ll offer you a discount just on the strength of having bothered to ring them up.
Now, buying a car is a different matter. I’m useless at haggling in this situation. Sales reps are trained to leg you over. Tips, anyone?
JayAugust 7, 2012 at 11:05 am
Ethan,
Firstly, thanks for commenting. I have to admit reading your comment made me chuckle because it completely reflects myself in the same situations you described. Haggling face to face can be tricky and as you say, many of your adversaries can be well trained in the art of haggle.
Firstly I would master the art of walking away. Person in Comet not being helpful? ‘Oh ok then Sir i’ll go and buy my laptop from Pc world next door instead.’ the thing people forget with this approach is that even if your dramatic exit doesn’t invoke the required response, you can always go in the next day and pick up the laptop you saw in the first place. 9 times out of 10 the guy/girl you dealt with either won’t be working or simply won’t remember you. This has happened to me already and I can assure the sales dude had no recollection of me from the previous day.
My second tip would be ‘step out of yourself’. without going into psychological bulls**t, we are all limited by our own minds. If you are like me, someone who doesn’t really enjoy confrontation, then you need to adopt a persona of someone who does. This is ultimately much easier than actively trying to become comfortable with confrontation because at the end of the day it isn’t really you being confrontational at all. There is also the added benefit that you don’t really know the person you are speaking to and that should give you more confidence.
Thirdly, don’t be afraid to cause a bit of a scene. I’m not talking about smashing half the store up if you don’t get your way, but a slightly raised voice expressing your agitation usually awakes the usually dormant duty manager who will promptly take over and try to sort the problem quicky and quietly. The manager will often actually apologise to you for his subservient staff member’s lack of tack in handling the situation, pushing the awkwardness away from you for causing the scene in the first place. Which is basically a win.
Hope these help!
Cody YoungbergAugust 28, 2012 at 10:40 am
I agree. It’s insightful and helpful, and yes, haggling is great way to save some money, but haggling is not that easy. One needs to be a lil-bit peoples person.
JayAugust 28, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Cody, thank you for commenting.
YEs I agree it definitely helps to have people skills! It seems to be a dying art these days; probably due to the ever increasing dominance of social networking controlling how we communicate.