Think you can’t negotiated at retail stores? Think again. Very often you can get a great deal by asking, even in major chain stores. Here are some tips that will help you haggle, even in a retail store.
Timing is Everything
Do you research first and then time your trip carefully. Visiting during a weekday morning when there is less chaos gives you better odds for haggling. More experience sales clerks are usually working on weekdays and are more likely to be able to help.
Don’t Attract Attention
There is nothing that will slam down the negotiations like attracting too much attention from other customers. The salesperson or manager doesn’t want to have to give deals to everyone. Be quiet when you haggle and don’t make the negotiations seem obvious.
Head for the Closeouts
Closeout items are most likely to be negotiated. Since the stores want them out as soon as possible, offering to take these items off of their hands can score you big discounts. The managers and sales clerks may be able to work with you more on these items. Make an offer. If you can take care of delivery yourself, they may practically pay you to take the item off of their hands.
Be Nice
The good cop bad cop thing just doesn’t work very well when haggling at a retail store. It always pays to be nice. If you are friendly and respectful in your request you’ll be more successful. After all, who wants to give a discount to someone who is crabby and demanding? I wouldn’t.
Walk Away
If you aren’t getting the deal that you want, be prepared to walk away from it. If the manager is convinced that you may leave without buying, he or she may pull out a better deal. If not, well, there is no point in getting a deal that you don’t want. Plus, you could always try a competitor and see if they would give you the deal that you want to have.