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Do you ask for a discount?

(70 Posts)
Grantanow Tue 03-Mar-26 23:52:21

The price is not always the price. Newspapers, insurance companies, broadband suppliers are often keen to keep our custom and in my experience czn be negotiated down, Car dealers ditto.

Skallywag Tue 03-Mar-26 23:25:49

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

Allira Tue 03-Mar-26 23:06:25

friendlygingercat

Ive been involved in the antiques trade since the 1960s and so I always ask for a discount. I have travelled around the Islamic Middle East where prices are negotiable and enjoy a good haggle.

I think haggling in some countries is expected.

I might ask if there are any special discounts in eg a furniture shop if I'm paying a very large amount and the shop is part of a chain.

Allira Tue 03-Mar-26 23:04:23

ixion

I gave up watching Antiques Roadshow years ago.

What's your best price?

Cringe.

Do you mean Antiques Road Trip?

We rarely watch except to 😲

What would happen if we were to go into an antiques shop and offer £40 for two items which together would total eg £125?
Why do the owners often smile and say "I'll do both for £45?"

Because they're on the telly?

friendlygingercat Tue 03-Mar-26 22:38:30

Ive been involved in the antiques trade since the 1960s and so I always ask for a discount. I have travelled around the Islamic Middle East where prices are negotiable and enjoy a good haggle.

Grammaretto Tue 03-Mar-26 22:27:14

No I don't approve at all of haggling.
I know people do but I feel it's wrong.
When I sell things on line (eBay, gumtree, Facebook etc) I set a price unless it's an auction.
Several people texted me and asked if I'd accept a lower price. I said no and sure enough the item was sold for the price asked.

I have actually heard people boasting about their bargains and how they never pay the full price for things.

You're right. It's a game for some but an unfair one.

ixion Tue 03-Mar-26 22:25:40

I gave up watching Antiques Roadshow years ago.

What's your best price?

Cringe.

25Avalon Tue 03-Mar-26 22:24:22

Only on large expensive items or if I offer to pay cash.

Wyllow3 Tue 03-Mar-26 22:21:44

I agree with Moth, I'd never haggle on a hand made when I can estimate the hours put in.

And not in a Charity shop

(Unless there is a major fault/stain that been overlooked on an otherwise properly high priced garment)

petra Tue 03-Mar-26 22:18:07

valdavi

I don't often haggle.
When I do though, I usually get a little discount - just enough that I feel I've got a bargain & the seller isn't out-of-pocket.

Often tempted in charity shops but that's a bit infra-dig.

My manager in our charity is hopeless with hagglers. She’s too nice.
When a customer asked for a discount she calls me. She excuses herself from the mumper and lets me deal with it.
No is a sentance 😂
We have our regular customers who spend a lot of money. We sometimes give them a discount as a little thank you.

Moth62 Tue 03-Mar-26 22:13:57

As someone who has made crafts to sell in the past, I would suggest that you are usually getting a bargain anyway, as very few crafters sell their goods at the true price, if you were to take into account the number of hours they take to make.

rafichagran Tue 03-Mar-26 21:58:36

I dont haggle either. If I think the price is too high I dont buy the goods.
I was in a charity shop and a coat was marked up at a tenner, it was a good coat with a brand name, the customer tried to get a fiver off. I found it distasteful.
I have also done car boots, my clothes, I was told by many customer's were reasonably priced, clean, and good quality. I wanted am £4 for one thing and I had someone offer me £2. I told them politely I was not shifting on price. Someone half an hour later paid the full price and got a real bargain.
My advice is pay the full price.

Oreo Tue 03-Mar-26 21:41:46

I do when it’s an expensive buy, new sofas or a car for instance.
Always get a good deal.You have to be pleasant and do it in a certain way that’s good natured.

dragonfly46 Tue 03-Mar-26 21:35:04

I only ‘haggle’ with stuff online visiting several sites to get the best price. In the shops I pay what it says on the ticket. We do not live in Turkey!

kittylester Tue 03-Mar-26 21:11:31

Surely, the price is the price?

keepingquiet Tue 03-Mar-26 21:05:43

Haggling in a charity shop seems wrong for lots of reasons...

valdavi Tue 03-Mar-26 20:45:01

I don't often haggle.
When I do though, I usually get a little discount - just enough that I feel I've got a bargain & the seller isn't out-of-pocket.

Often tempted in charity shops but that's a bit infra-dig.

RosiesMawagain Tue 03-Mar-26 20:33:31

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.

ViceVersa Tue 03-Mar-26 19:02:07

I don't, but I'm married to a man who will haggle over almost anything! grin

Pleasebenice Tue 03-Mar-26 18:57:05

I always ask, nicely, of course. £30 off 2 new tyres, £5 off two tops at a craft market and so on. My granddaughters are mortified if I ask (dont do in front of them anymore) but surely it is worth a go. It’s a bit of a game. Be nice and see if you can get a better room or a bit off the price. Is it just me?