|
|
CTC Readers' Poll:
|
|
|
"One
of my best tricks is not to pick up, touch, or try out the
item until some of the dickering has begun. By
actually holding or using the item, you convey to the
seller that you are *really* interested it. Not
picking up the item leaves them in the dark about how
much your interest is and gives you more bargaining
power. Holding the item also gives you the impression
that it's 'almost yours' which may subconsciously make
you so itchy for it that you don't fight for a good
price. Secondly, consider any reasons the seller
may be willing to dicker such as damage, previous
use, or even showing them a competitor's listed price
(if it's a new item). I was able to buy a new file
cabinet at 25% off because I asked for the one in the
window and pointed out that it was used as a demo model.
They could have said no since they had plenty in stock
in boxes, but this shows another point: nothing
ventured, nothing gained. Secondly, I read that the best
time to negotiate is when you will be fine walking away
from the deal empty-handed. In other words, don't be so
aggressive about negotiating the price that you
frustrate the dealer into saying no, leaving you with
nothing. Along these lines, if the dickering doesn't go
your way, do it: walk away. This is not a great strategy
for rummages since things fly fast. But for big ticket
items, walk away and stay gone for a while. Then go back
and say, 'You know, I've given it some thought and I
really want this, but I'm not willing to pay more than
$x. What can you do for me?'
By doing this, you've shown your interest, given your
price, and let them know that you walked away once, and
you're willing to do it again if they won't work with
you. Chances are they won't want to lose your
business twice in one day. Lastly, coming from someone
that holds rummages, don't make a fool out of yourself.
There is nothing chintzier than someone someone that
pulls up in a Cadillac and wants to dicker on a used
item already priced at a quarter." ~ Jill,
Milwaukee, WI
"My husband always
says to the car salesman, 'You must not want to sell
these cars.' It also works with furniture." ~ BJ
"The question I ask when I am trying to negotiate a better price is: 'Is this your best possible price on this item?' That gives the seller the opportunity to name a lower price if they are willing, and doesn't put me in the position where I am insulting them. For high ticket items, you can also make an offer and offer to leave contact information. Then, if it does not sell, the seller can call you back." ~ Diane in Scottsdale, AZ "I admired how a friend approached this subject when I accompanied her to an antique sale one summer. She nicely asked the dealer/seller, 'Is this your best price?' And they, in turn, would answer back with a lower price or would say that it was, indeed, their best price, at which time she would then decide whether or not she could afford it. Asking nicely and genuinely gets you farther than being demanding or complaining that something is priced too high!" ~ Becky "At yard sales, I will ask very respectfully, 'Can you do any better on this price?' or 'Is this the best you can do on this price?' Or, if I'm buying a bunch of stuff, I will ask if I can round it down if it's an in-between price; for instance, if it's $5.50 for a bunch of different items, I'll ask if they'll take $5 for the whole group of things. The important thing is to be respectful of the person selling, and of the things that are being sold.
I bought a new car
this year for the first time in many years. I
was very apprehensive about being able to negotiate on
my own, and asked a lot of friends a lot of questions.
One piece of advice I received was to not be shy about
making what seems a ridiculously low offer. It's
ok if the salesman laughs at you.
I had an advantage in
that I really didn't care which car I ended up
with---my criteria was price, and price alone.
There were several different cars in my price range.
If the dealer would not meet my price, I walked.
One dealer wouldn't let me walk. After 3 or 4
attempts to offer me a different price (and me getting
up to leave each time), he finally met my price.
Again, the important thing is to be polite and
respectful, even when you are offering a price that
seems laughable. When the dealer would offer me
a (too high) price, I would say, 'No, I'm sorry, I
can't do that.'
The trick is to not
have only one car as a car you just have to have, and
to not get emotional at the car dealership.
Remember, they really want you to buy the car, a lot
more than you want the car.
The other thing that
worked is that I gave them a round number (for
instance $12,000) and said that it had to include
everything---sales tax, license fees, registration
fees, etc. I think they called it the 'out the
door' number. They will work the numbers for
your trade-in so that it comes out right, whether or
not it reflects the real value of your trade.
Another thing that
helps is to pre-qualify yourself financially. Go
to your bank or credit union and ask them to do this
for you. I was surprised at how simple it was --
very little paperwork. If you walk in to the
dealership with your financing already in place it
puts you at a great advantage." ~ Sharon
"I have
started explaining that I'm not saying it's not worth
whatever amount they may be asking, I just only want
it for the amount I'm offering. I only use this line
for things I'm truly willing to walk away without. And
when it comes right down to it, maybe if I feel that
way I should walk away anyway!" ~ Esther in Nova
Scotia "Regarding car shopping, we had the best tip from a friend. Search the internet to find out what the car dealership is paying for the vehicle (you can find a rough estimate for the vehicle you are looking at for your area). Print out this information and take it with you. Show this information to your salesman to start the negotiations, explaining where you got the info. Now you are only negotiating from a few hundred dollars difference, instead of thousands. We got a great deal on our minivan purchased three months ago using this method. ~ Jen "As an avid garage sale shopper, I aim to purchase items for 10% to 25% of the original selling price. I love to negotiate regardless of the price as I never know what someone will say. The worst it can be is NO. I like to bring with me a variety of change and bills so that I can make an offer with the exact amount. This makes it easier on the salesperson to agree to the bartering process. I also like to make a bargain in bundles. For example, if I'm buying several books I'll ask to have one or two thrown in. Finally, I like to bring my own bins and cloth bags. It again is easier for the salesperson not to have to bag an item and I'm educating people on reusing cloth bags and plastic bins. Happy garage-saling!" ~ Christine "When negotiating at garage sales, I start with...
Part of getting the price you want is how you word your request. Let's say I find an item marked $6, don't say "Will you take $4.50? Do say "Could I give you $4.50 ? And, have the money in your hand holding it towards them. Eight times out of ten, I get a sure, or yes! You know what they say "Money Talks". On the other hand, some people are firm in there prices for whatever reason...they want to charge for the sentimental value, they truly believe they've charged a fair price, they only negotiate after the first day, they are in a bad mood, working on very little sleep, or PMS, etc. Also consider how you present yourself. Looks do matter. Be clean, smell good, and wear pleasant colors! Finally, if they won't negotiate, then you ultimately decide, is it worth the price or not?" ~ Lyn "Someone told me this two step process years ago and I have used it ever since very successfully: When you see an item you are interested in, ask the person, 'What is the least you would take for this?' Let them come up with a lower price first. Then say you will think about it. Then a little later you go back and say, 'Well, would you take........' (which is even lower than what they just said). I don't know why works but this usually gets a good price. They can always say yes or no and it seems to be nicer than other methods. Happy treasure hunting."~ Julia "I go to garage sales all summer and have strong feelings about the polite way to behave. It's also the effective way, naturally. I will say, 'Would you accept X for this?' and be guided by the response. What is considered very rude here is 'I'll give you Y for this.' Sellers hate that, even if they agree to it. Some people enjoy bargaining and some hate it, so I'll ask how much they want and either say ok, or 'Too much for my budget, but thanks'. If they want to bargain they can start it. A cardinal rule in bargaining is that the first person to suggest a price loses, and this has seemed to me to be generally true, so I try not to suggest prices." ~ Frugal in Ottawa, Canada "When I go to yard sales and find that they have several items (especially children's clothing) that I am interested in I will gather them together and ask for a lower price for taking all of them. Generally folks are anxious to get rid of things so will take what you offer or meet you half way." ~ Sandy
Editor's Note: Thanks to all these readers who took time to write! |
Home
Products and Resources
Speaking Engagements Nancy's
Itinerary |