Make An Offer

Gone are the days of consumer power and being able to haggle with the shop assistant for a better deal.  Or are they?  If you fancy paying less for an item, then read on.
 
I was in an Op shop (in Victoria, Australia) along the Great Ocean Road while doing some sightseeing and found myself staring at this wicked 70s leather jacket, $90 in awesome condition but just that little bit too much.  You know that feeling where it is something you wouldn’t normally buy or it is just slightly too much, but it just keeps you thinking about it and pulling you back to look at it?  Well I had this, and had it pretty bad.  I was checking it out and walking away and coming back to it until my girl Jess came up with the novel concept of asking the shop lady if she would take less for it? 
 
The best thing about haggling is that it can actually work!  I simply strolled to the front of the shop, waited for Mrs Opshop to turn around to serve me, dropped my patented ‘Old Lady Smile’ on her, and watched her fall backwards over her handcrafted stool.  My ‘Old Lady Smile’ is a little something that I’ve perfected over the years and anytime I’m dealing with a nice old lady I drop it on them.  It’s that perfect combination of genuine ‘Hello, nice to meet you’ manners and a ‘Sugar wouldn’t melt in my mouth’ look and it’s nearly foolproof.  A good smile is so underrated and there is no better way to start the bargaining process than with a genuine and friendly smile.
 
After she had recovered I asked Mrs Opshop: ‘Hey, I really like this jacket, but I was wondering if you would consider a little less for it?’  She looked at me, looked at the price tag and said ‘I could do it for $60.’  Sold lady SOLD!
 
In the days of old, haggling wouldn’t have been such a novel concept, but these days we seem to be stuck in a ‘the price tag is how much it costs’ mind-set.  This may be true for most conventional retail places, but outside of their shiny walls you can haggle to your hearts content.  You’ll be surprised at how many places you can actually ask for less.
 
Once you have haggled a few times you get an idea for where is fair game.  Anywhere that looks like they may have movement on the prices will do, especially where there is a small shop and the person serving looks like they own the place.
 
Now once you have a suitable place sorted, a few golden rules prevail:

1. Don’t ask, don’t get 
You may be nervous, and feeling really awkward about even having the gall to PRESUME to ask.  If you are feeling nervous don’t ask.  Nothing is worth making you feel bad, but believe me. On the other hand, if you swallow the nerves down and just give it a go, imagine how great you’ll feel when you get a bargain!  If you ask and get – you’ll be smiling all day. 

2. Opposites attract
Especially the opposite sex and you seem to get far more traction if a guy does the asking on a girl, or vice versa.  The trick is to be cheeky, but not desperate.

3. Be polite
No one likes an arrogant or demanding customer.

4. Smile 
So underrated, but make sure it’s looking pretty genuine and can’t be mistaken for a bargain-induced snarl.

5. Have your bargain phrase memorised.
Repeat your mantra in your head a few times before you try it out.  Perfect it over time.

6. Have a price in mind
That you would be willing to pay, plus be willing to negotiate if needs be.

The bargain phrase and your delivery are key – here are a couple of goodies that work well:

"I’m umming and ahhing about this item, I really like it but I don’t want to pay $80 dollars…  Leave this question hanging and any sales assistant with half a brain (yes they do exist) will more than likely counter with ‘Would you take $60?"

"If it’s a little shop, you can often say: ‘Can you give me a better price for this if I pay cash?’  As some retailers just hate paying credit card fees."

"If you are buying more than one item: ‘Is there any chance of getting a discount if a buy a few things?"

"I love this top, but I’ve only got $20 cash on me, would you take that for it?"

Remember, your new found skill should be used wisely – don’t go crazy with it and use a little judgement as strolling into the nearest Gucci store, fluttering your eyelashes at the well dressed male shop assistant and asking for less on the three thousand dollar handbag may not be your best plan of attack…  Happy haggling.