The Price is Tight

If you’re a smart consumer, you shop around. You compare prices at a number of different stores. You check ad fliers for sales. You don’t make the purchase until the conditions are favorable to your budget. But have you ever just come out and asked for a better price? Have you ever haggled? With many stores underperforming in sales, there’s never been a better time to seek better pricing on your favorite items. Retailers have grown tired of blowing dust off merchandise that’s been sitting on the shelves for too long.

But before you stride confidently into your favorite retailer ready to negotiate the deal of the century, keep these points from Bankrate.com in mind:

Curb your enthusiasm
Remain aloof when talking about your target. The minute a salesperson senses you have a “gotta-have-it” mindset, the chances of a good deal are drastically reduced. Stay cool and calm. Let the salesperson know you’re ready to walk away from the deal at any time. And be ready to do so if the deal doesn’t impress you.

Ad-ons
Do your homework. Read literature such as Consumer Reports. Browse stores ahead of time. Check out advertisements in the newspaper and mail. Online sites are a good place to check up-to-date deals.
You can start with Pricegrabber.com, Google Shopping and Amazon.
 
Take ads containing reduced prices with you to the stores to show salespeople. Let’s say you have your eye on a nice little digital recorder at a local electronics store and saw it advertised online at a cheaper price. Print out the online pricing and take it with you. If the salesperson can’t lower the price of your video camera, perhaps he can include some add-on accessories free or at a reduced price.

Like clockwork
Timing is everything when practicing the fine art of haggling. Most salespeople have more time to talk with you at the very beginning and very end of the day. The time of the month is important, too. The end of the month may find salespeople eager to meet sales quotas. Even the time of year has a bearing on your chances of striking a good deal. For instance, car shopping is good in the fall when new models are on their way in. This theory works with many retailers; they need to clear out last season’s stuff to make room for all the new stuff. That means many times they’re willing to deal to get any seasonal merchandise out the door.

Manager on duty
If you’re getting nowhere with a particular salesperson, ask to speak with a manager. There are times when a salesperson just doesn’t have the power to lower a price. Managers are more likely to have the information necessary (inventory, sales margins, etc.) to make a deal.

Give and take
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. You also create better deals. Always negotiate with the attitude that you’re ready to hit on a deal that benefits both you and the store. If the salesperson thinks you’re just out to fleece him/her, the line of communication could shut down pretty quickly. You’re looking for middle ground, not the high ground. Keep your mood light and feel free to inject humor. After all, you’re not negotiating world peace, just a good deal on a really cool lamp.

Walk the walk
There will be times when things just won’t be going your way. That’s just the way it is. You need to be ready to walk away from the negotiations. But before you walk, be sure to leave behind your contact info in case the store changes its mind about the deal. Hey, it happens!


Deals are out there, even if you haven’t seen them advertised. Just remember, retailers are in the business of selling product and making profits. As a consumer, you’re in the business of buying goods … at the best possible price. There’s a middle ground out there, all you have to do is find it. So ask, and you just may receive!

Speaking of comparing prices, when was the last time you shopped insurance? Perhaps your situation has changed? Or maybe you’re not happy with your present policy? Why not shop around to see if you can get a better deal? And you can start right here at Vantage. We offer a number of insurance options that are sure to fit for your needs.