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Posts Tagged “

Haggling

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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
5,350 views, 69 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
3,562 views, 37 comments

Latest by doctor_cos: @redheadedstepchild: I would never 'denigrate' the staff to haggle. The product, maybe. Most of this stuff is crap compared to how things used to be (look at vintage 70s/80s audio equipment on eBay and what the good stuff 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
21,973 views, 66 comments

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
3,793 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 when it is appropriate to use it. 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
4,029 views, 61 comments

Latest by Voyou_Charmant: No thanks. I prefer the time honored tradition of trading livestock and family members for game systems and TVs. more »

Some haggling philosophy from Wise Bread. [Wise Bread]

Comment

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
5,884 views, 13 comments

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
3,007 views, 51 comments

Latest by n/a: @12monkeys: Huh? You realize the markup is extraordinary, right? It all depends on how desperate they are to get the cars off the lot. Haggling a Honda Civic in Southern California won't get you anywhere. Haggle the same Civic in 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
8,906 views, 22 comments

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
4,168 views, 17 comments

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:
• Know what the competitors charge. Print out competing packages to have at the ready. Also make sure to compare apples to apples. For example, basic cable is significantly cheaper than digital cable.
More »

5:32 PM on Wed Feb 28 2007
By Meg Marco
1,899 views, 11 comments

Latest by demoman: After recently going to work for a national VOIP Provider ACN. I also have encountered this if you want COMCAST to lower your bill. Threaten to leave. If the CSR doesn't do you any good Ask to 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
115 views, 9 comments