Tips on haggling

Dark_Angel said:
This.

If the OP had said he would discuss the price when he came to pick it up fair enough, but you verbally (or actually technically in writing) struck a deal with him. It doesn't seem very "nice" to then say "ya know what, I think I need 5 or 6 percent off because people on the internets gave me info on how to save more cash".
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I didn't strike a deal at all. They responded to an automated 'pricematch' service on their website.
 
banja said:
Grief, I'm sorry I asked. Did everyone get out the wrong side of the bed today?

There's nothing wrong or cheeky in haggling - they don't have to sell it to me at a price they don't want to. Retail pricing is not fixed, you have a right to haggle. Plus, it isn't some old codger trying to feed his kids, it's a chain.

Don't worry, I'll just offer him more than they want.
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No one is saying there's anything wrong with haggling. There are many well-established circumstances for haggling in the UK, for example when buying expensive watches. The problem is that you've already done the haggling and now you're getting greedy and going back to try and get more.

Even in a country where haggling is part of everyday life, if I spent 10 minutes haggling the price of something down with a trader, finally settled on something, nipped to the ATM to get the cash and then came back and say "Oh no actually I want you to knock some more off the price" then I'd have been a complete tit.

banja said:
I didn't strike a deal at all. They responded to an automated 'pricematch' service on their website.
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Oh right, so you haven't "knocked the guy down to £620...via e-mail" you've just done an automatic online price comparison with a retail chain... which isn't what you gave the impression of in your OP.

So yeah, just go in offering £600 in cash...
 
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Skull said:
No one is saying there's anything wrong with haggling. There are many well-established circumstances for haggling in the UK, for example when buying expensive watches. The problem is that you've already done the haggling and now you're getting greedy and going back to try and get more.
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No I haven't done the haggling, I'm not going 'back', I haven't even spoke to the guys, and I'm not being greedy.
 
banja said:
Grief, I'm sorry I asked. Did everyone get out the wrong side of the bed today?

There's nothing wrong or cheeky in haggling - they don't have to sell it to me at a price they don't want to. Retail pricing is not fixed, you have a right to haggle. Plus, it isn't some old codger trying to feed his kids, it's a chain.

Don't worry, I'll just offer him more than they want.
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dont be sorry, its not a stupid question, im just saying what i think..
 
banja said:
No I haven't done the haggling, I'm not going 'back', I haven't even spoke to the guys, and I'm not being greedy.
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OK so then you haven't really "knocked this guy at the shop down from £650 to £630... via email" you've just done a standard price-matching exercise, which, as the numerous :mad: posts will suggest, is not the story your OP was telling.
 
Tell me are these goods New or used?? Either way if it were me I would have to haggle him down,you must have an idea he is going to lower the price,yes go for it
 
Yeah, sorry if I wasn't clear on that. I sent in the pricematch form including my email, they responded to my email, by name. I called them and simply said 'I'm coming over to the shop this afternoon'

And anyway, the thrust of my thread wasn't 'I want to knock them down further, is this morally wrong'? It was more that I'm not the greatest negotiator in the world, and if there is a bit more to be had, and they would be willing to give it, what's the best tactic to haggle?
 
Generally to offer lower than you know they'd accept, but not ridiculously low, then work up from there until you meet in the middle. 30 - 60 - 35 - 40 - 38 - DEAL
 
At this point your only option upon arrival is to offer him aural pleasure in exchange for a further discount.
 
Skull said:
Generally to offer lower than you know they'd accept, but not ridiculously low, then work up from there until you meet in the middle. 30 - 60 - 35 - 40 - 38 - DEAL
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Yeah, initially I thought that was the way, but it was a bit cheeky to do this. Then I though, nah, that's they way it's done surely?

Then I made this thread and it seems I should be shot for even thinking it :)
 
banja said:
Yeah, initially I thought that was the way, but it was a bit cheeky to do this. Then I though, nah, that's they way it's done surely?

Then I made this thread and it seems I should be shot for even thinking it :)
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You're misunderstanding! In the UK you hardly ever haggle, it's not the culture. It looked like you'd already done some haggling, settled and then wanted to go do some more which isn't done in haggly countries, let alone here, without good reason! (Good reason NOT being greed!)

You're not being shot at for suggesting haggling itself.
 
Skull said:
You're misunderstanding! In the UK you hardly ever haggle, it's not the culture. It looked like you'd already done some haggling, settled and then wanted to go do some more which isn't done in haggly countries, let alone here, without good reason! (Good reason NOT being greed!)

You're not being shot at for suggesting haggling itself.
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I don't for a second think I'm being greedy.

I think the non haggling nature of this country is probably more to do with individual British reservedness. Retail outlets do not have totally inflexible fixed pricing. No one is forcing them to take less money. Haggling for expensive electrical equipment (not say food or clothes) seems totally reasonable to me. The suggestion that I'm greedy is a bit out of order really.
 
banja said:
I don't for a second think I'm being greedy.

I think the non haggling nature of this country is probably more to do with individual British reservedness. Retail outlets do not have totally inflexible fixed pricing. No one is forcing them to take less money. Haggling for expensive electrical equipment (not say food or clothes) seems totally reasonable to me. The suggestion that I'm greedy is a bit out of order really.
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ARGH what is wrong with you?

NO ONE IS SAYING YOU ARE GREEDY FOR HAGGLING. STOP

IT LOOKED LIKE YOU HAD ALREADY HAGGLED VIA EMAIL AND NOW WANTED MORE, WHICH DID LOOK GREEDY. STOP
 
Yeah go for it. I'm sure some shopkeepers find it pleasant a bit of haggling. i have never got major discounts but mking big purchases sometimes get some extras chucked in :-).

Tips on haggling..hmm wear sunglasses so he cant see your eyes :P. The eyes give it away...............( you may look pretty stupid tho)
 
etom said:
Yeah go for it. I'm sure some shopkeepers find it pleasant a bit of haggling. i have never got major discounts but mking big purchases sometimes get some extras chucked in :-).

Tips on haggling..hmm wear sunglasses so he cant see your eyes :P. The eyes give it away...............( you may look pretty stupid tho)
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maybe the shopkeepers get bored?
 
Just ask what sort of discount he can offer you for cash for instance. Say that you want the item but it's a bit too expensive / out of your price range. Tell him you'll give him 580pounds now and that he should be happy with that ;)
You've seen it somewhere else for a little bit cheaper.
With the state of the world right now you should be able to haggle it down to at least 600 I would have thought.
 
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