• scalping

    It's Now Illegal To Sell A Ticket In New York For More Than $2 Over Face Value

    Quick, go buy scalped tickets while it's still illegal to sell them for more than $2 over face value. The New York law allowing unlimited markups on scalped tickets expired last week, and Governor David Paterson has yet to sign an extension bill passed by the legislature. TicketsNow and StubHub are, of course, ignoring the law, because they've never been big fans of little things like laws or decency. More »

    2:00 PM on Sat Jun 6 2009
    By Carey Alexander
    14,234 views, 123 comments

    Most discussed Ben Miner: I don't think the government has the Constitutional authority to regulate the price in private transactions, especially on non-necessary items more »

  • negotiation

    They Wouldn't Like You When They're Angry — Or Would They?

    Maybe the Fonz didn't know what he was doing, because researchers have found that being the coolest cat in the room doesn't always do you favors, while a flash of fury might just help tip the balance in your favor. More »

    10:21 AM on Fri May 15 2009
    By Phil Villarreal
    6,443 views, 36 comments

  • saving money

    Do You Haggle?

    Asking for a discount. Negotiating for a better price. Haggling. No matter what you call it, the concept is the same: working to get a seller to let you pay a lower price for a good or service than what was initially offered. The Digerati Life encourages shoppers to negotiate on price and offers the following tips (including a story about getting a discount at Home Depot) to make the most of the process: More »

    9:48 AM on Thu Apr 23 2009
    By freemoneyfinance
    12,305 views, 163 comments

    Most discussed JeanStork: Biggest tip, open a dialogue with the sales associate. Dont just walk up and say "Hey, discount.." Lure the more »

  • buying

    Now Is A Good Time To Haggle Over A TV

    Between weak holiday sales and the pending arrival of new models, this an excellent time to haggle with your local electronics store over the price of a new TV. In a normal year, prices dip before the holidays and again before the Super Bowl. This year, with the recession clamping down on bank accounts, nobody's buying. With new models arriving soon, retailers just want to clear out their showroom space, meaning you can walk in and save a few hundred dollars on that dream set you've always wanted. More »

    4:00 PM on Sun Mar 29 2009
    By Carey Alexander
    10,019 views, 52 comments

    Most discussed Outrun1986: I don't think its a good idea to advocate haggling at a big box retailer either, because it simply won't more »

  • haggling

    As Retailers Suffer, Shoppers Start Haggling

    Shoppers are frequently haggling over prices, even at major chain stores, the AP reports. With retail stores suffering, "you'd have to be a moron not to ask for a discount."

    10:30 AM on Mon Dec 29 2008
    By Alex Chasick
    13,251 views, 111 comments

  • nonverbal communication

    Learn How To Read Body Language

    Want to improve your ability to read the other person in a negotiation? Joe Navarro, a former FBI agent turned author who's making the requisite publicity circuit to promote his book, knows all about body language, and in this multimedia slideshow on WashingtonPost.com he explains some of the most common ones. He notes, "Our feet are probably our most accurate indicators of how we feel about things," which is funny because I've never been able to flip anyone off with my toes. More »

    12:59 PM on Tue Jul 15 2008
    By Chris Walters
    21,013 views, 41 comments

    Latest by Parapraxis: @MonkeySwitch: do you fling your poo as well? (sorry, couldn't help it) more »

  • bartering

    Save Money By Bartering

    As we've noted, the tough economic times are forcing many people to look for creative ways to save money. The Wall Street Journal reports on one age-old method that's gaining popularity:

    Cash-strapped consumers and businesses are coming up with creative ways to fight higher costs. One practice gaining popularity: the ancient custom of bartering.

    That's right, before there was money, there was bartering. And it's back, baby. More »

    10:49 AM on Thu Jul 3 2008
    By freemoneyfinance
    7,193 views, 71 comments

  • haggling

    How To Haggle

    The pricetag is no longer the final word, stores are playing "let's make a deal," and haggling is in. Consumer Reports Todd Marks tells The Today Show the secrets to haggling success:
    • Be open and friendly in your discussion with the salesperson, ask for them to "work with you" on the price
    • Be discreet, don't broadcast to other shoppers that you're getting a deal
    • Escalate to a manager if the salesperson isn't empowered to make a decision
    • Do your research so you know the fair price to ask for
    • Be creative, ask for free shipping
    • Offer to pay cash so they don't have to pay a credit card transaction fee
    Still sound hard to do? When Consumer Reports surveyed its readers, even if they were embarrassed by the process, they reported being successful more than half the time.

    Check out some of our other posts on haggling for more tips on the art of the deal.

    11:32 AM on Mon Mar 24 2008
    By Ben Popken
    9,057 views, 40 comments

    Most discussed redheadedstepchild: When I worked upper-end retail, I'd often throw people out for haggling. The prices we set were fair, and often more »

  • retail

    Haggle With Chain Stores

    The Times is reporting that recession-fearing chain stores like Best Buy, Home Depot, and Circuit City are increasingly more desperate to clinch sales by negotiating prices. Hit the jump to see how ordinary shoppers are wielding research and charisma to knock added savings out of retailers. More »

    10:20 AM on Sun Mar 23 2008
    By Carey Alexander
    23,305 views, 68 comments

    Latest by MichelleAculeo: I own a small shoe store, I price our stock less than the "mall/big box" stores by a few more »

  • retail

    Making Price Drops Conditional On Extended Warranty Purchase Could Be Illegal

    A few days ago we wrote about haggling at retail stores and how some sales people will cut you a deal if you get the extended warranty, since they earn commission off selling those. Well, reader Stephen writes:
    In Michigan at least, it is illegal for a rep to base a price reduction on the purchase of an extended warranty. A few years ago, I was buying a returned Tivo from Best Buy, and the SA tried to tell me he'd give me a better price if I bought the plan. I stopped him right there, told him I knew that this was illegal and that he knew it too. Suddenly the lower prices was no longer conditional on the purchase of the extended service plan.
    Something to remember next time you're wrangling over that HDTV. Michigan's statute, inside... More »

    11:32 PM on Wed Mar 19 2008
    By Ben Popken
    3,941 views, 49 comments

    Latest by wellfleet: @oakie: also, reading through some of your previous posts, you may want to brush up on what "whom" means and more »

  • retail

    The Rebirth Of Haggling?

    The aisles of Best Buy, Home Depot, and other retail stores are beginning to look more like a Turkish bazaar. Haggling is back, baby, at least based on some initial reports we've heard. People are talking about being able to say to walk into a retail store and say to sales people, "Hmm, I like, but it's a little more than I was hoping to pay. Can't you do any better on the price?" It seems the salesmen have some wiggle room on the price, especially if you opt for the extended warranty package. I'm helping out a reporter at a large publication, so if this has happened to you and you're willing to share your story on the record, drop me a line at ben@consumerist.com or leave a comment along with your contact info.

    2:34 PM on Fri Mar 14 2008
    By Ben Popken
    4,364 views, 65 comments

    Latest by Michael Shuttleworth: I ran into an old friend that says he went into Home Depot and they had a clearance on a more »

  • haggling

    Pick Up Some Haggling Tips At HowToHaggle.com

    HowToHaggle.com is a short, easy-to-skim website devoted exclusively to the concept of haggling. It's not the world's most extensive resource, but the tips page lists 15 very good things to keep in mind the next time you want to score a better deal on a product. More »

    9:15 AM on Mon Feb 4 2008
    By Chris Walters
    7,943 views, 14 comments

    Latest by tekmiester: the website domain is expired now... more »

  • deals

    90% Of Hagglers Get Better Deals

    Most hagglers are able to score reduced prices, according to a study to be published in November's Consumer Reports. Here's one of their tips for shaving off the dollars:

    Deal with the decision maker. If a salesperson isn't empowered enough to give you a discount, find out who is. At chain stores, that's typically a manager or supervisor. If your medical plan doesn't cover the entire cost of a procedure, talk to the doctor, not the office manager.
    Survey respondants reported success not just with cars and houses, but also cellphone plans, doctor's bills, and electronics at big-box retail stores. Are you a haggler? What are your stategies for success?

    More Than 90 Percent of Hagglers Scored Better Prices [Broadcast Newsroom via Consumer World Blog]

    6:56 PM on Tue Oct 2 2007
    By Ben Popken
    3,125 views, 51 comments

    Latest by EtherealStrife: @12monkeys: Huh? You realize the markup is extraordinary, right? It all depends on how desperate they are to get the more »

  • the art of negotiation

    Just Asking Politely Sometimes Does The Trick

    Reader Tim tried to pay for his Subway meal with a debit card today but was foiled by a technical snafu with the card reader. He didn't have cash on him, but there was an ATM machine in the store, so he withdrew the funds and paid the old-fashioned way. The trouble was, he was now stuck with a $2 ATM fee for a $12 purchase. More »

    6:17 PM on Mon Sep 10 2007
    By Chris Walters
    9,061 views, 23 comments

    Most discussed Homerjay is utterly...: This is especially true at companies like Subway. As 'fast food' goes, they're the finest in every way. Well managed, more »

  • silver linings

    Take Advantage Of The Subprime Meltdown

    Prospective home buyers shopping for houses worth around $500,000 are taking advantage of rising interest rates caused by the ongoing subprime mortgage meltdown. Buyers and sellers alike are becoming increasingly mindful of one magic number: $417,000. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will only guarantee mortgages worth less, forcing some sellers to lower their asking price to accommodate buyers looking to avoid so-called jumbo mortgages. From the Wall Street Journal: More »

    1:17 PM on Sun Aug 19 2007
    By Carey Alexander
    4,282 views, 17 comments

    Latest by rhombopteryx: " With 10 percent down, 'that puts you at $418,500.'" Which is not equal to, but is in fact more than, more »

  • comcast

    Once Again, We Beseech You To Haggle With Comcast

    Over at the Chicagoist, they opened their Comcast bill and had a heart attack. Thankfully, someone must have resuscitated them, for they were able to get a price quote from the competition (RCN), and use that info to coerce Comcast into giving them their old "promotional" pricing back. Their customer service experience was very pleasant, and they offer some tips for all of you potential hagglers out there. Learn how they were able to reduce their bill so as to buy more 30-packs of Old Style: More »

    5:32 PM on Wed Feb 28 2007
    By Meg Marco
    2,544 views, 12 comments

    Latest by statisticschick: Honestly, I am willing to pay a little more to the service provider who can keep my service on with more »

  • consumerist kit

    Store Messes Up? Ask For More At Same Price

    Free Money Finance has a good strategy you can employ to help solve customer service disputes in your favor: ask for more at the same price. More »

    3:58 PM on Thu Dec 14 2006
    By Ben Popken
    205 views, 9 comments

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