Do you haggle?

lucy7 · 05-06-2009, 15:12

This year we have decided to try and have a few holidays, just nip off for the odd week here and there (only one week at a time, as I can not leave my business for to long)

There is no way we can haggle on flights, so I decided to have a bash on holiday apartments instead.
I approached people who had the top end of apartments on offer, that showed none or hardly any dates booked on their calendar. I did it by e-mail and phone calls, I was amazed at how people were prepared to drop their advertised prices.

We are now going way at the end of the month to a 5 star two bedroomed penthouse apartment, with stunning views, all day sun on its two balconies, all for £225, a reduction of 50%!!

My husband says I was being cheeky, but now is happy that I dared do it!

I now think I have the haggling bug!

Does anyone else do it?
If so, what have been your sucesses?

**Hugh** · 05-06-2009, 15:16

Every time on high ticket items - usually manage to get 10% - 25% off, sometimes nothing.

We are off to the Pelion this summer - the 4 bedroomed villa was advertised at 1800 Euros per week, with a 20% discount for the second week; we got it for 2000 Euros for the fortnight.

It never hurts to ask - if they say no, you are no worse off than before.

**Kymmy** · 05-06-2009, 15:19

Yes, I haggle and barter all the time, whether it be at the car boot sale to an item in an electrical store...There's always a discount to be had especially when dealing with high priced goods

05-06-2009, 15:22

I always try to get better prices on most things. Haggling I do in any situation where its possible to talk one on one with someone in charge. Obviously grocery shopping is out most of the time. I look online for the best online deals then go into shops and try to get them to match the deal. It does quite often work or for example I got a good deal for cash in Currys which I gather is something they tend not to do as much as they used to?

If a business offers me a price that leaves them with no profit then more fool them . I relate this to calling to get loyalty discounts from Virgin media for example

Turkey Machine · 05-06-2009, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy7

This year we have decided to try and have a few holidays, just nip off for the odd week here and there (only one week at a time, as I can not leave my business for to long)

There is no way we can barter on flights, so I decided to have a bash on holiday apartments instead.
I approached people who had the top end of apartments on offer, that showed none or hardly any dates booked on their calendar. I did it by e-mail and phone calls, I was amazed at how people were prepared to drop their advertised prices.

We are now going way at the end of the month to a 5 star two bedroomed penthouse apartment, with stunning views, all day sun on its two balconies, all for £225, a reduction of 50%!!

My husband says I was being cheeky, but now is happy that I dared do it!

I now think I have the bartering bug!

Does anyone else do it?
If so, what have been your sucesses?

If they're short for business, they'll take anything that comes, even if it means knocking down the price.

The last time I bartered with a person was in France in 1999/2000 on a trip to Paris with the school. My French teacher dared me to go and get a set of postcards knocked down from 10 Francs (remember them?) to something below that. Got them for 8 Francs (about 80p).

I make a point never to pay the same for a contract year after year, as you invariably end up paying more. Which is why I tell my friends and family to re-negotiate for things like Sky, BT, broadband, mobile phones etc. The last time I locked horns with somebody over paying for something was getting a phone repaired for a friend (Nokia E71, button pops out, various other intermittent hardware/software phone faults) in Gainsborough, but they weren't having any of it, til a knowledgeable friend who was with me quoted the Sales and Goods act (phone was 4 months old) and got something sorted out!

Saaf_laandon_mo · 05-06-2009, 15:52

Is bartering not technically different to haggling. I thought to barter was to obtain an item in exchange another item. As opposed to haggling which is to get the item cheaper.

I enjoy haggling for the sake of it as well as to get a price reduction. Many years ago, on a holiday to Turkey,I haggled with a guy at a kebab stand over the price of a donner kebab. The 20 mins of haggling did work, but I had only saved about 10p when converting it all to sterling.

lucy7 · 05-06-2009, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

Is bartering not technically different to haggling. I thought to barter was to obtain an item in exchange another item. As opposed to haggling which is to get the item cheaper.

I enjoy haggling for the sake of it as well as to get a price reduction. Many years ago, on a holiday to Turkey,I haggled with a guy at a kebab stand over the price of a donner kebab. The 20 mins of haggling did work, but I had only saved about 10p when converting it all to sterling.

Yea, your so right!
Stupid me!!

Can some one re-title it for me please, pretty please!

**Chris** · 05-06-2009, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy7

Yea, your so right!
Stupid me!!

Can some one re-title it for me please, pretty please!

Done.

And yes, I do.

**Kymmy** · 05-06-2009, 16:04

Actually I do both (so editted my previous post)

We often do work in exchange for items/services... In this economic crisis it's stupid not to

BenMcr · 05-06-2009, 16:07

I don't - but then I am rubbish at it!

Personally I think a company shouldn't be able to haggle on price - because they are already offering the best price they possibly can for what they sell!

**Kymmy** · 05-06-2009, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Personally I think a company shouldn't be able to haggle on price - because they are already offering the best price they possibly can for what they sell!

Rubbish,

Extremely few companies ever offers thier items at minimum profit..

**Chris** · 05-06-2009, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Personally I think a company shouldn't be able to haggle on price - because they are already offering the best price they possibly can for what they sell!

If you seriously believe this to be the case, you're a tad naive and quite possibly you get ripped off on a regular basis.

chrispuk2004 · 05-06-2009, 16:31

Managed to get 200 Inclusive miles per day instead of 100 and extra miles at 30 cents per mile rather then 50 cents, on the Corvette C6 im hiring in vegas.

Wish I'd tried to haggle over more stuff stuff now ive read this thread!

lucy7 · 05-06-2009, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

I don't - but then I am rubbish at it!

Personally I think a company shouldn't be able to haggle on price - because they are already offering the best price they possibly can for what they sell!

Its the nature of all good business men and women (and bad ones!) to haggle on a price really.

The services I offer are the highest I know for what my company does, but I can get that price as I offer a top notch service and my work never has to be checked up on, so actually that is saving the other companies money.

I was haggled with once, and as I did not want to lose the contract, I took a 25% reduction. I just hoped the word did not get out that I would work cheaper, it has not.....yet!

superbiatch · 05-06-2009, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucy7

Its the nature of all good business men and women (and bad ones!) to haggle on a price really.

The services I offer are the highest I know for what my company does, but I can get that price as I offer a top notch service and my work never has to be checked up on, so actually that is saving the other companies money.

I was haggled with once, and as I did not want to lose the contract, I took a 25% reduction. I just hoped the word did not get out that I would work cheaper, it has not.....yet!

I suppose the aim is to not go too low that you're doing yourself out of income. Work out what is you ultimate lowest % and stick to it.