I read this article many years ago (its dated 2005) and I always recall it whenever I think of haggling a price. It is very well written and I urge every ozbargainer to read it right to the end.
Haggling for Hotdogs. A Great guide for Bargaining
m0nkeycheese on 09/07/2012 - 01:47
Last edited 09/07/2012 - 02:03
Last edited 09/07/2012 - 02:03
Comments
Excellent read.
A fun read but pretty useless, can summed as:
- Lie about your situation to take advantage.
- Buy more than you need (bulk) or buy at inconvenient times (when nobody wants the stuff).
I'd have to disagree with you there, its more about if you want to bargain make sure there is something in it for the seller or don't bother haggling. Some people just expect a discount and are confused as to why when they ask they get turned down. This explains why.
I don't condone the lying part but as the writer said he got a bit carried away
Yes, exactly. It's all about judiciously putting it out there…sometimes the straightforward approach does work if you don't lie, just put the right spin on it! :)
I can remember as I was leaving a computer fair at closing time a few years back I spotted a set of speakers I was keen on at a great price…unfortunately I only had about 70% of the asking price. The guy asked if I was interested, I commended him on the great price & said yes but showed him the contents of my wallet…a single $50! His response, "last deal of the day mate, that'll do, saves me carting them back to storage…hope you enjoy them!"
I've often done the same thing for people myself when it suits me…like my old $500 used car I let a poor pensioner have for $200 just coz she was nice, acknowledged the car was easily worth what I was asking but she didn't have any more, & at the end of the day I CBF with dealing with any more tyre-kickers!
In my experience you don't have to give anything to seller for a positive haggling experience, I check prices on a lot of products (go figures, it's why I'm here) and I use the best tried and true method: do your research and give them a fair price or take your business elsewhere. Works a charm for me and I even achieved the cheapest reported price on Whirlpool forums for a certain TV.
My tip is to go straight to the business, don't stuff around with sappy stories and the like. There's nothing worse for a salesman than to see business slip through their hands.
Well, I read the article. I can also say that I'm comfortable with who I am, but don't understand how that guy could be comfortable with himself.
Bargains are fine, but that author clearly considers himself very cheap. As for whether he saves money in return for any conscience he may have started with, it doesn't appear so. He gets things he doesn't actually need, pays for them, and in the process wastes an awful lot of time.
Pass, I'm worth more.
Found this scenario repulsive,
"It's for my son!" And, realizing that that made me about as remarkable as a sneeze, I added, without thinking, "He's narcoleptic!"
Notice even the way he displays his despicable behaviour he uses his negotiation tactics to make it seem as if it was an honest mistake.
Being from America they should have learnt by now that buying stuff even at a discount is as unfulfilling as anything and pretty soon you will turn to fast food to fill the void, no wonder they are the most obese nation and still nom noming it.
Great read :)