Do you ask for a discount?

Skallywag

It depends where you are and what you’re buying.
I had a person round to measure me up for some window blinds, the price quoted was nearly £600. I said that was much more than I was expecting so he cut it down by about £40 I said if you can do it for 500 I’ll say yes now, and he said okay ! So sometimes it’s wise to haggle

In cases like this I often feel they are trying it on in the first place like when the double glazing salesman rings his manager and cuts the price in half.

When we had a furniture shop, I gave a customer on the phone a discount as he asked, then when I asked for his name, he hesitated then said Sugar. It was a relative of the man.
That taught me a lesson on looking after money.

Yes if it’s a big company - I saved a significant amount on some photographic equipment some years ago.

No if it’s a craft market or small independent retailer.

However, I do ask if retailers accept Blue Light Discount cards - it is surprising how many actually do.

At car boots, people sometimes pay the price you ask, and sometimes offer less.

You have to quickly decide whether to hang on for more, or risk taking the item home.

Depends on what it is, how much longer the car boot is lasting, what the buyer seems like, whether you want an empty car or not….

Yes, I have, for phone contracts, cars in dealershis, (especially at the end of a month), big ticket items like a stairlift, kitchen, musical instrument... - "is this your very best price?"

Yes. I have had lots of discounts over the years - and was allowed to give them when I worked part time in retail...

I would NEVER do this with craft/hand made or art items!
We are underpaid for our time as it is!

...or in a charity shop!

I wouldn't do it in a charity shop or for craft items, but surely no-one is making a major purchase - such as a new car, for example - without negotiating over the price?

Oh yes. With large purchases I always ask for a discount and usually get one. Of course you have to be prepared to walk away if necessary.

I do if I’m buying something from an antique shop.

DH negotiates hard when buying a car. The last time, after an hour or so in the dealership the salesman resorted to ‘ well what would you pay for it? ‘ I almost felt sorry for him.

I recently bought some new furniture, and as the lovely young salesman was putting it through the till he astounded me by
saying I can take 20% off for you if you like!


No haggling required!

Why does everyone exclude haggling in Charity Shops. Note, these get their items for free.

I was looking for a suitable bag for my knitting things. Wanted something strong, with several pockets. Looked around charity shops and then saw a bag that looked ideal in one.

On a high shelf, someone got it down for me, and it looked perfect, but had a label pricing it at £25. I left it - much more than I was willing to pay.

Went back a week later, bag still there on high shelf. Asked lady assistant in there to get it down and asked her if it had been mis-priced. She agreed that £25 seemed extremely excessive, thought for a moment then asked if I would be willing to pay a fiver = I agreed gave her five pounds, got the bag.

Everyone happy.

Allira
I think haggling in some countries is expected
You are right. When DC were little we used to go to a well-known local shoe shop twice a year for seasonal shoes, PE trainers, boots etc. As I stood at the counter the man in front of me asked for a discount and was given money off his single pair of shoes. I put my several pairs on the counter and also asked for a discount. It was refused. I repeated what I had heard and the assistant said ‘oh but that’s his culture, he expects it.’ I told her in no uncertain terms that they could keep all the shoes I was going to buy if she discriminated against me! After a discussion with the manager I got a discount.
But normally, no, I’m uncomfortable haggling. I wish I wasn’t.

I took some brand new clothes to a charity in town.
They had a lovely butter dish £5.50, only had a fiver, so I asked if they accept that but told no! Even though I had given them over £100 of clothes.

The worst haggling, I think, takes place over house sales. The seller asks £250,000; the buyer says, go in at 210.000; it is refused, more haggling takes place, then the original buyer is gazumped by someone else at the last moment. Admittedly this come from watching too many 'Places in the Sun' and 'Kirstie and Phil'but it does happen and seems unfair to me. The houses I have bought were new builds , so there was little negotiation in the price, and a queue of six purchasers for every house, at that time.

After trying to sell all our household and garden goods at a local car boot (we were resettling abroad), and being offered 50p for items in good condition and best quality I am against haggling. We took them home/gave them away. What an eye-opener that was.

I was extra touched when I heard that DH had asked for a discount at a very posh jewellers when buying me a surpise 50th birthday present. He knew I liked a bargain so braved embarrassment and asked for a discount -and got it!! He knew I'd appreciate the gift all the more. I did.

Aveline

I was extra touched when I heard that DH had asked for a discount at a very posh jewellers when buying me a surpise 50th birthday present. He knew I liked a bargain so braved embarrassment and asked for a discount -and got it!! He knew I'd appreciate the gift all the more. I did.

Aw that's so sweet Avaline

Good grief, no! People at craft markets work long hours and get little return for their efforts: if they charged per hour and effort involved with an handmade item, very few people could afford them.
Sorry but I think that’s really mean.

Tyres, meh, not so much. They’re overpriced, anyway.

MT62

I took some brand new clothes to a charity in town.
They had a lovely butter dish £5.50, only had a fiver, so I asked if they accept that but told no! Even though I had given them over £100 of clothes.

Maybe if you see something again and are "short", ask if they will hold it for an hour? Or use a bank card MT62.

I like butter dishes - but don't have a particularly nice one...

I think we all haggle over a property price or the price of a secondhand car, I don’t like doing it but will give it a try occasionally though never in a charity shop where I am prepared to put a little more in the charity box after making a purchase.
I just find it uncomfortable.

My partner used to work in sales and he always used to ask first a discount. He once got a two for the price of one deal at John Lewis.

Blimey MayBee. My cousin asked about a discount in Bainbridges - the then JL store in Newcastle (I believe the first department store in the World!) on some Ercol furniture in the late ‘60’s and was asked to leave, after the ‘never knowingly undersold’ motto was pointed out!

RosiesMawagain

Why should you?
A price is a price..
You don’t haggle over your shopping at the check out do you?
Or perhaps you do.
I would be similarly mortified in your GDs’ place.

Why??

I always say, with a wry smile, is that your best price, or if I’m buying two of something, for instance 2 electrical goods, say fridge and hairdryer (haha)

Also, always ask for a “price match”

Pleasebenice

I am surprised at how little you are willing to haggle. Yes pick where you do it and would not do it for handmade goods or charity shops (who would do that?). If you listen to Martin Lewis he suggests that it is always worth asking. The price is not always the price! Don’t be greedy or rude but give it a go.

I once bought two pairs of shoes in the sale from a shoe shop on Oxford Street and they gave me a discount as soon as I asked for it. My children were mortified! However our au pair was also with us and was very impressed, she never realised you could do this.

Cossy

RosiesMawagain

Why should you?
A price is a price..
You don’t haggle over your shopping at the check out do you?
Or perhaps you do.
I would be similarly mortified in your GDs’ place.

Why??

I always say, with a wry smile, is that your best price, or if I’m buying two of something, for instance 2 electrical goods, say fridge and hairdryer (haha)

Also, always ask for a “price match”

Oh yes, I'd always ask for a discount if I was buying electrical goods for a new kitchen, many online sites tell you to send them a list for a better price.