Can you bargain? Is it a skill anyone can learn?

I cant haggle to save my life….. however I’m a demon salesman, but I hate sales so I dont do it anymore.

I couldn’t haggle with a dead goat. I’m horrible at it. If I want it- tell me the price and if I like that then I’ll buy it. If not, I’m out.

Yeah I know it’s so hard huh? You feel like it’s not even worth it arguing with someone for such a long time to save the money sometimes, but it seems so natural to some people that they won’t budge at all until they get the right price.

The ability to surf pricing on the internet is leveling the playing field big time and almost gives you the upper hand when negotiating pricing. Hell I buy so much on line I don’t even have to haggle anymore. But when I do make a major purchase I am prepared to beat down their price knowing in advance what their cost basis is.

I have people try to haggle with me about the prices of my artwork.At first it wasn’t so easy,but now I can tell them to get bent,no problem ;)

I rely on my father to help me with bargaining. I haven’t learned much from him, though, despite all that I’ve witnessed. He jumps into it right away, while I’d prefer to warm up to it slowly. I should practice somehow. There are probably programs that teach you how to do it effectively.

My brother once said, “Dude, you’re breaking my balls here,” while haggling, and got a wicked deal simply because of the South Park reference.

It is just a mindset that you have to get into. You start from the assumption that the price of everything is fluid.

Then there are ways you can go to get discounts. You can get a discount for paying all cash. You can get a discount, because you want to buy immediately.

You really just have to observe someone do it a few times until you get into the rhythm of it.

It is a gift.

Being able to bargain is exactly like being able to confront someone. You are firm, polite and clear. No yelling, no bursting into tears, and start all sentences with “I.” What’s the worst that can happen?

And you need to have a bit of full of shit in ya. ;-)

@ChazMaz: No, you don’t.

Sure you do. You are trying to convince someone that what they have is worth less then they know it is.

It goes both ways.

Otherwise it would be a set “price”.

@ChazMaz That’s what makes it fun. When you’re haggling with someone who is the same full of shit way it makes for a fun time. There are also lots of audio tapes or cds that deal with negotiating lessons. My first employer had a collection of twelve cassette tapes on different strategies, etc. We listen in the car because we traveled alot and they really gave us some good ideas on how to haggle, counter the other persons offers etc.

So does this mean that things like cars don’t have a set preice anyways? Or they just have a price they can’t go below? How high up do they hike the price to make extra money?

“How high up do they hike the price to make extra money?”

As high as the sticker price. Then they will (try) sell you on an extended warranty.
And what ever other crap they can “sucker” you into. :-)

@ChazMaz So can you just buy a car without an extended warranty and all the other crap? Let’s just say you’re buying a new car, or a relatively new car, like a 2008 or something.

Yep! You thought you had to? lol

@Chaz Well no lol, I guess I never really just thought about it, they make it sound so important.

Cars have the biggest markup of just about anything. In the past, you had to do a little more research to find out the dealer’s price. Then it was a matter of negotiating UP from that price rather than DOWN from the list price.

It worked for me. Once the salesman knows that you know, he realizes that he is dealing with a knowledgeable buyer, that levels the playing field. As long as you tack on a reasonable amount for his commision, it’s fine. For every educated consumer encountered, there are plenty of other clueless ones to fleece.

It’s up to you in which category you fit.

@Buttonstc Just as an average, what would be a good amount for their commission?

Years ago it was around $200

Not really sure what it would be now.

However, there are Internet sites which will pre- negotiate with dealers in your geographical area who are giving their lowest bids in order to get your business.

I know that Consumer Reports does something similar but can’t remember the exact details. I’m sure you can go to their site and find out.

The Internet has really leveled the playing field. I’m surprised that there are still suckers walking into dealerships and going about it the old fashioned way. But obviously there are plenty who still do :)

Yes, it’s a skill. Yes, I’ve had success.

It’s probably a skill that can be learned. I know it runs in my family, my granddad was good at it, and I learned from my Dad, when I was very young. We used to go to the used stores, and he would let us kids bargain for our toys and comic books.

I said “I know the exchange is usually 2 for 1, but you know I’ll bring it back in perfect shape, so how about 3 for 2?” and they would say OK.

I keep the mindset that a good bargain is one where everyone bleeds a little, but no one bleeds to death.

@contessa55 Makes sense….