Haggling for Windows - Any tips?!

Quack13

I am due to meet a fellow about buying some windows next week.
He has sent me the quote in the post and it is about 30% over our budget.

Now we have a bunch of quotes from different companies but really love these windows.
These windows are at the higher end of the quotes we received.

So I’m going to attempt to haggle him down a bit.
Only thing is..I am absolutely brutal at haggling.

I do feel however in the current climate with the way things have slowed down, a 30% reduction may not be an unreasonable target.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips out there for haggling…not just for windows I guess. Even generally speaking.
Any tips appreciated

sinnerboy

Talk to him for AGES and AGES . Go round and round the houses before you go anywhere near the point . If you are a little bit introverted - bring a gobby mate . Wear the guy down - sap his energy .

In time talk about how much you love the windows - BUT how very expensive they are . You have a budget. You can install other windows but you REALLY don't want to . Beg or insist ( depending on your personal temperament) for his BEST PRICE .

Good luck

wardwil

Ok...
Have to be honest about this. This is a skill which I learnt in the corporate sector many moons ago and it works the same for the building industry.

Ring him once again before meeting. Ask him what his price is again and do not say anything. Let him answer. Once he has answered stall big time on the phone... 15 to 30 secs... the longer the better. Repeat what he has said and then ask him is that the best he can do given the current climate.

Again stall...say nothing. If he says this is the best he can do then say that is above our budget and we had intended to pay XXX and if not we are just going to put in ( much inferior product, just pick one you have come across so he knows you are pricing ).

If he says he can do something for you on the price then aggree to meet. Let him pay for the coffee, soup what ever it is. Then play hard ball....

Tell him its like this: I have XXX amount and the job is yours if you want it. Then you will get him to his lowest price... do not go further to jepordise his integrity and him just giving you the product with a sub standard installation. Do push too far... that is the key.
Hope this helps
Will

bamboozle

i always like to drop a few sweeteners like, 'well my other house needs new windows at the front' or 'my sister is about to start her new build'
you dont have to have another house or a sister, just something to incentivise them to drop the price.
bottom line with my build is every quote i get i wait a few days then call them and ask them to trim their cost and the job is theirs. It works most of the time.

Builderfromhell

The above advice indicates how you can lie and cheat to get lower prices.
Why not just tell the truth. 'Your price is too high. I'm getting other quotes' etc.
No need to go through the above theatrics.

S.L.F

I work in the area of windows and from my experience you'll have more success at all those threatrics with sales reps than someone just trying to make a living.

OP just tell him what your budget is and ask him to come down closer to it.

Wonky Knees

it's a little like foreplay. If you go straight for the kill, you could frighten the vendor away. Also, it's best face to face, it's too easy to say no on the phone.

muffler

fatimamansions wrote: »

it's a little like foreplay..............to say no on the phone.

What do you call that then? Oral sex?

sinnerboy

fatimamansions wrote: »

it's a little like foreplay....... it's best face to face, .

muffler wrote: »

What do you call that then? Oral sex?

No - that's not how it's done , snigger snigger






.............. oh dear , you'd know it was Bank Holiday approaching :pac::pac::pac:

Normal Service will be resumed next week

Quack13

This thread has taken an odd turn alright..

Thanks for all the tips so far folks. Much appreciated.

Poor Uncle Tom

sinnerboy wrote: »

Talk to him for AGES and AGES . Go round and round the houses before you go anywhere near the point . If you are a little bit introverted - bring a gobby mate . Wear the guy down - sap his energy .

In time talk about how much you love the windows - BUT how very expensive they are . You have a budget. You can install other windows but you REALLY don't want to . Beg or insist ( depending on your personal temperament) for his BEST PRICE .

Good luck

Come walk with me while we discuss drawings and such for a while, lovely day isn't it.....

2 stroke

If you do get a significant discount, check to see if you are getting the same spec window. This happens a lot.
Supplier a quotes for top spec windows, supplier A is then asked to match supplier B's quotation. Supplier A does a quick calculation, figures out that supplier B isn't quoting for pilk glass or something similar, agrees to match or beat supplier B's quotation. Client presumes he is still getting the same windows, as in original written quotation, supplier A isn't actually doing anything illegal.

harly1516

30% seems a lot to haggle down I think your better off being honest and if he can drop 30% I think you were being riped off in the first place why did he not give you a good quote, know what I mean ???????

paddy147

CASH IS KING.Wave the cash under the chaps nose and it will be like dangling the carrot on the string in front of him.

Remember that in this day and age.

Kricket

Hi
Im Told <SNIP> are cheapest in ireland, opps did i use a real suppliers name sorry:D




Mod edit: Play fair or dont play at all. muffler

Retro-Fit

If they cant offer a frame u value under 1, their offloading a product that will be obsolete in 2 years. draw up a simple performance spec and get them to sign off on it, with penalty clauses for non performance. Its a buyers market now. Wahoo. Recessions are great, quality matters again.

gsxr1

great thread.

I could use these tactics for a whole lot more than windows.

Trying it out on the bus man first lol