MIC:
You negotiate your starting salary, your rent and your raises. Why stop there? In fact, companies are taking advantage of the fact that customers are averse to conflict — and have started using “no haggle” pricing for products like cars, which consumers have historically been able to bargain for. Alas, even if these set prices make shopping less stressful, you’re likely paying more than you would have after haggling.
Here are three items you should always bargain for — and how to do it.
We don’t have a “haggling mentality” in North America but I’ve haggled on all three of the items mentioned in this piece and have literally saved thousands of dollars off the sticker price.
I’ve never learned to haggle.
It’s much more difficult to haggle over a used car these days at a dealership. The dealers know the value of the car just as well as you do, most likely more. They have incentive to move the car quickly too. They make money with extended warrantees and the like. And use tactics like adding $1,000 to the car over the advertised price because of a “multi-point” inspection process “it’s in the details of the ad”. They know full well you’ll want that $1,000 taken of the price.
Look at that, you just lowered the price and negotiated a deal… yeah.
Here’s an even better way to save tens of thousands: make principal payments to lower your mortgage interest cost. Judicious purchasing of vehicles, or furniture, even without haggling, can save you thousands, as can shopping the supermarket sales. Haggling, on the other hand, often makes the bargainer feel like he / she, got a deal, as James Hughes suggests.
A very shallow article.
1. Some furniture stores (Room & Board, for example) do not haggle. Nor do they pay sales clerks commissions.
2. Auto buying takes a lot more work than the article implies. If you really want to do it correctly, spend lots of time reading at the Bogleheads forum.
Spend the day with my mom, you’ll learn and save; we’re Italian 😀
You don’t have to haggle so much as say, “Is this the best price you can offer?” And, if they don’t lower the price, say, “OK. That was more than I was willing to pay. Thank you for your time.” and walk away. You’ll be surpirsed how many times you’ll hear the salesperson say, “Wait….” 🙂
I don’t know if car buyers do this but we motorcycle riders are pretty well known for asking, “What’s the Out The Door” price?” In other words, bottom line price, all in, all included. Then we work from there.
My father-in-law accompanied us when we bought our car in 2003. He’d been negotiating contracts for a number of years, and it was a pleasure to watch him make the salesguy run through his lame script.
I’ve always bought my bikes used, being in a colder climate, as you are as well, most bikes don’t really have the miles on them you’d see in other areas of the world.
Places like car gurus really do help when looking for a car. I got a great deal on my used car recently after an old Subaru died. I usually end up negotiating things like free all season car mats or remote starters these days.
I would imagine bikes would be the same, but I guess not? It’s been a while since I have ridden on the street, the last I rode was dirt, that’s blast as you may well know.
“being in a colder climate, as you are as well, most bikes don’t really have the miles on them”
Not true here. Our weather is usually pretty mild year round. I don’t put my bike away in the winter and usually ride for a few hours a couple of times a week, even in the winter. I’ve had my bike for 2.5 years and have already put 33,500 miles on it. 🙂
“the last I rode was dirt, that’s blast as you may well know.”
Sadly, I’ve never ridden dirt but I’ve heard it’s a blast and teaches you to be a better street rider.
Sorry about that, not exactly sure where you live. I ignorantly thought “Canada” and thought “cold” : )
Dirt bike riding was so great, it spoiled it for me as far as street riding. Not once did a car enter my lane, no registration or inspection issues.
But yes, you are correct,
it did teach me to be a much better street rider
“I ignorantly thought “Canada” and thought “cold” : )”
LOL Most people do. 🙂 But the area i Live (just outside Vancouver, BC) has similar weather to Seattle. Mild with lots of rain in the winter. So year round riding!
I wish I had learned to ride dirt. Too old now. 🙁
Never too old! Just ride easy trails and take your time.
You can get a used bike relatively cheap. If you do, get a 4 stroke, less torque, again easier, smoother ride. Better for trails anyway.
Yes, I am. Riding dirt necessitates falling. As I get older, falls hurt a LOT more. 🙂
Safety first! Too true.