True or false: you always have to accept the price you see on the sticker. Ummm…that's a big FALSE! Don't believe us? We'll show you how to haggle and save the big bucks!
For a lot of folks, haggling is a dirty word. Many people think it's awkward to negotiate. We're here to tell you that it doesn't have to be! You can haggle politely and walk away with a great bargain. And guess what? No one is going to judge you for it!
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Whether you need to negotiate a lower cellphone bill or want a better deal on that TV you're about to buy; we'll show you how to haggle and bargain the right way. There's no shame in saving money, so let's do this! You're a few minutes away from becoming a haggling pro!
THINGS THAT ARE ALWAYS NEGOTIABLE
When it comes to haggling, what's fair game? The short answer is just about anything! You can even haggle at the vet. If it has a price, you can likely negotiate it, but here are some of the things that usually have wiggle room built-in:
- Cable Subscriptions
- Cell Phone Plans
- Cars
- Electronics
- Membership Fees
- Furniture
- Mattresses
- Anything at a Yard Sale
- Used Items for Sale Online
- Hotel Rates (Call instead of booking online!)
You can also negotiate the pricing on clothes or food if you notice an imperfection, so speak up and ask! Credit card interest rates are always up for negotiation, too. Asking for a lower rate can literally save you thousands of dollars and help you pay down debt much faster!
Now that you're thinking about a few of the things you can practice your haggling skills on let's get to the tips! We're about to share six simple ways you can haggle the classy (and practical) way.
ASK STORES TO PRICE MATCH
Before you head out on your next shopping trip, do a little research! Look at several different retailers for the item you plan to buy and take screenshots of their online prices. Sometimes, the online price is lower than the in-store price, but if you have to pay shipping costs or wait weeks for your order to arrive, that can be a bummer!
But, if you show the cashier those screenshots with lower online prices, they will match the price nine times out of ten. Some stores will even give you an extra discount! Home Depot, for example, offers 10% off after they match a price. You never know until you ask, so don't be afraid to speak up.
HAGGLE FOR BONUS ITEMS IF YOU CAN'T GET A PRICE BREAK
Here's a little-known haggling technique. If you can't get a business to budge on price, see if they can do something else for you! For example, if you can't get the store to come down on the TV price, ask if they'd be willing to give you a free Amazon Fire Stick instead. Are you buying a used car? Ask them to throw in a free year of oil changes.
You'd be surprised how often this technique works, and it's really a win-win! You're helping a salesperson make a deal (and likely earn a commission), and you're walking away with a better deal, so don't be shy! Just make sure that the bonus item you're haggling for is something you'll actually use!
OFFERING TO PAY IN CASH IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO HAGGLE
This tip is the holy grail of haggling! While almost everyone under the sun accepts credit cards or Apple Pay now, cash is still king. So the next time you're trying to negotiate a lower price, offer to pay in cash. This works incredibly well on pricier big-ticket items. For example, if you can pay in cash instead of financing a car, you can save hundreds on the sticker price and thousands over the vehicle's life.
And many small businesses are more than willing to negotiate if you offer up cash for smaller purchases, too. Every card swipe costs a small business owner, so if you pay with cash, they'll save money, too. Have you ever noticed many gas stations offer a lower cash price and a higher card price? That's why!
ASK TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER
No, we’re not suggesting that you run out and get an angled bob haircut. And we’re not trying to make you go viral on TikTok. But the truth is, sometimes you really do need to speak to a manager if you’re trying to negotiate a price break. That’s because many companies don’t give their customer service staff the freedom or authority to make those decisions.
So, if you find you’re getting nowhere, don’t be afraid to ask to speak with a supervisor or manager who does have the power to offer price breaks. Just be kind and gracious when you ask! This brings us to our next piece of advice.
ALWAYS BE POLITE, KIND, AND COURTEOUS WHEN YOU HAGGLE
When negotiating, always follow the golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. Our grandmas always said you get more done with molasses than vinegar, and that is the TRUTH! Here are a few dos and don'ts to remember:
- Do –Say please and thank you, smile, be patient, and step out of the way to allow other customers to get help while you wait for an answer.
- Don't –Raise your voice, use foul language, make threats, be rude to other customers, or forget to say thank you.
Being nice is the right thing to do, making you much more likely to work out a better deal. So if you only remember one tip from this post, remember this one!
BE CONFIDENT, AND BE PREPARED TO WALK
Okay, last but not least, here's a two-in-one tip! With all of this other advice in mind, you should feel confident haggling. Be polite but straightforward. No hemming and hawing, just say what you mean and ask for what you need! Confidence pays. And if you can't work out the deal that you need, be prepared to walk away. How does that old saying go? Put your money where your mouth is.
WHAT HAGGLING TIPS DO YOU HAVE TO SHARE?
We hope these tips help you score some amazing deals and feel more confident the next time you need to negotiate. There's no shame in saving money, so don't feel awkward! You've got this.
Do you have any haggling tips to share? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Looking for a few more money-saving tips?
- Check out our ultimate guide to sales cycle shopping. Find out what to buy when!
- These tips will help you pick a baby stroller you love without breaking the bank.
- Find out how we save tons on food by setting a grocery budget and sticking to it!
Happy haggling!
