Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.
Hi all, please see this major site announcement: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058427594/boards-ie-2026

Haggling...

13

Comments

  • #62
    amacachi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,315 ✭✭✭✭amacachi


    Bbbbolger wrote: »
    Some places expect to be haggled. Some Electrical Appliance stores will give their employees a certain percentage they're allowed knock off certain big items. It's the same with things like cars and suits. They expect people to haggle these items but they all have a limit which they won't go below.

    Funny enough in a large chain store a couple of years ago my dad knew the seller and got 200 knocked off a price, yer man said he could only knock 100 off with the computer so he called the manager over who could knock the 200 off.

    It's rare I'd buy anything worth haggling for. Most of the times I'm thinking of were cases where the price was already very competitive (as good as online) or when I was running a trade-in scam and got a ludicrously good deal anyway. :pac:


  • #63
    Chuck Stone
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,029 ✭✭✭✭Chuck Stone


    Roomic Cube wrote: »
    I work in retail, I hate when someone tries to haggle, it really is a pain in the balls, over the most trivial of things sometimes too

    haggle all the time on adverts though, get some really deadly deals that way

    You hate hagglers but do it yourself? :confused:
    Electric Sheep wrote: »
    You consider sandwich packing as a bad thing? Why?

    +1

    Yeah seems odd doesn't it? A personally constructed and packed sandwich is a thing of joy imo.

    Especially if you're fussy about your sangers (thick butter *puke*).


  • #64
    Pdfile
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,114 ✭✭✭Pdfile


    i only haggle on things of importance to me which are normally expensive ( pc stuff namely ) but really if i thought i was only gonna gte say a fiver off, id let the cheap bastard keep it :rolleyes:


  • #65
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,046 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The funny thing about my haggling is that unlike LighterGuy's example of 100 > 80, I often have to go for the 100 > 20.. My best was a pair of work shoes from $81 to $12. Mechanics from 250k to 50k. Sandals from 200k to 80k. Cigarettes, 25k > 15k.
    And I know people here who don't haggle.. They're losing crazy money.
    It's going to be a bit strange going to a place again where you don't haggle..


  • #66
    Pherekydes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 16,339 ✭✭✭✭Pherekydes


    "What do you mean you're offering me €2.50 for this pint? See this man out, will ya John."


  • Advertisement
  • #67
    --LOS--
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,028 ✭✭✭✭--LOS--


    Electric Sheep wrote: »
    You consider sandwich packing as a bad thing? Why?

    nope never said that did I!


  • #68
    EL_Loco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 901 ✭✭✭EL_Loco


    list price is there to make a profit, a figure below that can still make the shop a profit, and get rid of some stock that is (in financial terms) a liabililty until sold.

    so give it a shot. There's a happy medium there where you get some money off but the shop is still making money on it.

    I do attempt an aul haggle, not aggressively, but sure by the time I've gotten to the shops, seen what I want, I'm more than 90% committed to buying the bloody thing. So I suppose, haggle on items if you're willing to walk away if you don't like the price.


  • #69
    Son Of A Vidic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,370 ✭✭✭✭Son Of A Vidic


    Boom or no boom I've always haggled, 10% is the very minimum I go for. I saved thousands when I moved into my new home 4 years ago. I know the mark ups and margins that are out there, so I will never pay list price.


  • #70
    NTMK
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,575 ✭✭✭NTMK


    I do it with Electronics mainly usually end up getting €50 off anything between €150-400 and once €150 off a laptop that originally cost €700.

    huge savings to be made


  • #71
    Seachmall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,041 ✭✭✭Seachmall


    Chuck Stone wrote: »
    You hate hagglers but do it yourself? :confused:
    I think they mean people who try to haggle in a shop where the staff have no authority to offer deals.


    I've no problem haggling at a street market or shops that encourage it (although apparently Harvey Norman make up for the reduced price by deducting it from the staff's wage/commission which is pretty dickish) but trying to haggle at your typical music/clothes/electronic store is a waste of everyone's time.


  • Advertisement
  • #72
    giant_midget
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,162 ✭✭✭giant_midget


    I wouldn't associate Adverts.ie with haggling, Adverts is full of knackers looking for items for 80% less than advertised. Take a look and see, peasants...


  • #73
    JohnMarston
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,881 ✭✭✭JohnMarston


    My haggling skill is so good they pay me to take the item


  • #74
    Orando Broom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,351 ✭✭✭Orando Broom


    Very few people can haggle well because for the most part to be a good haggler you have to know EXACTLY what the true value and worth of a product.

    A friend of mine is amazing at buying cars. Why? He can tell the vendor exactly what the vehicle is worth and more pertinently why it is worth it. The price he gives is always reasonable to the vendor when presented with the information.

    when haggling if you can't honestly cite why a product has the value you attribute to it then you are possibly on a loser.

    Having said all that sometimes the vendor does not know the true worth of his product and as my Brother-in-law says 'sometimes even the blind pig gets the acorn'.


  • #75
    giant_midget
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,162 ✭✭✭giant_midget


    Orando Broom wrote: »
    Very few people can haggle well because for the most part to be a good haggler you have to know EXACTLY what the true value and worth of a product.

    A friend of mine is amazing at buying cars. Why? He can tell the vendor exactly what the vehicle is worth and more pertinently why it is worth it. The price he gives is always reasonable to the vendor when presented with the information.

    when haggling if you can't honestly cite why a product has the value you attribute to it then you are possibly on a loser.

    Having said all that sometimes the vendor does not know the true worth of his product and as my Brother-in-law says 'sometimes even the blind pig gets the acorn'.



    Is your friend Mike Brewer? :pac:


  • #76
    Orando Broom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,351 ✭✭✭Orando Broom


    giant_midget wrote: »
    Is your friend Mike Brewer? :pac:

    Who with the what now?


  • #77
    Caveman1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,808 ✭✭✭Caveman1


    I recently bought a suit for a wedding im going to, when I was trying it on the girl gave me a shirt to try on with it, I decieded to take the suit but when I got to the till she charged me for the suit and shirt, The suit was €280 and I told the girl ill take the shirt but all I have left is the €20 change, she gave me both for €300 even though the shirt was worth €80 so happy days


  • #78
    Tar.Aldarion
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,119 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    I've never seen someboyd haggle like my mother, she is ridiculous, so good, a dying breed.

    The best was when she went into schuh and said they charged her 120e too much the year before and had the receipt, but it was so faded it was just a blank piece of paper.


    She walked out of the shop with the money :confused::confused:


  • #79
    dark crystal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,962 ✭✭✭✭dark crystal


    I went to buy a television in Harvey Normans there a few years back and at the time, they had a huge TV marketing campaign telling customers to haggle.

    When we tried to haggle, yer man said the price was set and there was nothing he could do. When we mentioned the ad, he said loads of people were coming in trying to haggle, but the staff couldn't actually lower the sale prices!

    I bet it got a load more people into the store, though...


  • #80
    TheZohanS
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,581 ✭✭✭✭TheZohanS


    HellFireClub wrote: »
    Just watching this thing on RTE1 here, The Consumer Show... Apparently we should all be haggling now for any retail stuff we want to buy...

    Personally I will never haggle, I'm not a scabby cúnt from Cavan, if I want to buy it I'll pay the asking price for it, if I want it cheaper, I'll go to Dunnes!
    ScumLord wrote: »
    Haggling with the till operator at a discount store would be as useful as haggling with the wall, there's nothing they or pretty much anyone in the store can do about the price.

    The computers wouldn't allow it for a start and would get extremely pissed off if everything started coming in at weird prices. In fact I don't think the till would accept anything other than the price off the barcode. The person is only there to smile at you.
    HellFireClub wrote: »
    I'd rather the cost of that than for anyone to think I was from Cavan.
    xsiborg wrote: »
    i wouldnt haggle as such, i often buy second hand laptops and i have a good idea of how much the hardware is worth, no interest in the software, i'll make one offer and its either a yay or i walk away.

    on the subject of the haggling on that show? that was pure set up in the Louis Copeland store, cringeworthy acting, and no small coincidence that RTE are one of their best customers for the likes of Kenny and Turbidy.
    Raquel Cold Sugarcoat wrote: »
    Sales are on every week now,seems pointless to haggle.
    HellFireClub wrote: »
    Just wouldn't have the neck... I expect value and I shop around for value, I won't haggle, if I think I can get it for cheaper elsewhere, I'll just walk out of the shop and buy it where I know it is cheaper and therefore better value...
    robman60 wrote: »
    I think haggling is only appropriate if done with a street vendor. Haggling in any other shop (unless it's family owned, and not a supermarket eg. DIY shop) is inappropriate and it won't get you anywhere anyway, so is best avoided unless you don't mind making a scene!


    ^^^^^^
    Thank you.

    The less people that haggle the better. It means that those of us that are prepared to ask for a discount can get it. Shop sells 10 TVs and 9 people before me pay full whack (or see a "Sale" sign and think it's the best deal they can get) then I can come along and ask for discount of course I'm going to get it.

    A manager will always get you a better deal, just be polite and come in with cash rather than Laser or a Credit Card.


  • #81
    Tar.Aldarion
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,119 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    Hmm it's much easier in a pc world type store, I would ask there, usually get a staff discount or whatever. It's the clothes shops that would be really hard I think


  • Advertisement
  • #82
    Seachmall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,041 ✭✭✭Seachmall


    dark crystal wrote: »
    I went to buy a television in Harvey Normans there a few years back and at the time, they had a huge TV marketing campaign telling customers to haggle.

    When we tried to haggle, yer man said the price was set and there was nothing he could do. When we mentioned the ad, he said loads of people were coming in trying to haggle, but the staff couldn't actually lower the sale prices!

    I bet it got a load more people into the store, though...

    From what I've heard if they did haggle with you any discount they gave would come out of their commission (and would essentially eat their commission up) so they were often very unlikely to cut any deals.


  • #83
    LLU
    Closed Accounts Posts: 406 ✭✭LLU


    never hurts to ask them what's their best price first.


  • #84
    Alter-Ego
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,324 ✭✭✭Alter-Ego


    Seachmall wrote: »
    From what I've heard if they did haggle with you any discount they gave would come out of their commission (and would essentially eat their commission up) so they were often very unlikely to cut any deals.
    But surely if they're not willing to haggle and the customer walks away then they get zero commission on the item anyway?

    The amount of profit made on an item would be tied to the amount of commission made by the salesman.


  • #85
    Seachmall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,041 ✭✭✭Seachmall


    Alter-Ego wrote: »
    But surely if they're not willing to haggle and the customer walks away then they get zero commission on the item anyway?

    The amount of profit made on an item would be tied to the amount of commission made by the salesman.

    They may figure it's just not worth the hassle of trying to haggle with a customer when you'll only make a few squid (if you get 10% on a E300 fridge you'll probably just end up making a fiver, maybe a tenner). The time spent haggling (because the salesman refuses/can't go any lower) could also be spent dealing with other customers. It might be worth it for a high end fridge or TV but your average joe trying to haggle just wouldn't be worth it to some people.


  • #86
    Shivers26
    Closed Accounts Posts: 639 ✭✭✭Shivers26


    i would never haggle in shops - in that situation the price is the price. Either I will pay it or I won't. Also I am a great bargain shopper. I love hunting through charity shops for books and I would never in a million year haggle in a charity shop.

    I will haggle for services though. Currently planning my wedding, my sisters wedding and 2 hen parties and I have gotten some great deals just by asking 'is that the best price you can do' or see will they do me a deal if I book more than one. Got great deals on DJs, cars, party bus, cakes, hotel packages etc.


  • #87
    hardCopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    --LOS-- wrote: »
    my god yes! any that I've known are, they are serial sandwich packers for starters..

    Eughhh, cornflake sandwiches!

    It depends on the place, I know I won't get a discount on a burger in McDonalds.

    Some places will haggle, especially places with higher margins or where you deal directly with the owner.

    Once I bought two suits and wanted a new tie also, I couldn't pick a colour for the tie so the manager gave me both.

    Another time I bought a self-tied bowtie and the sales guy gave it to me for the price of a clip-on because he thought I was brave to try tying my own.

    Other things are par for the course, new mats in a car etc.


  • #88
    whydoibother?
    Closed Accounts Posts: 758 ✭✭✭whydoibother?


    I don't think I've ever said "can you sell me that for less please?", but I have on occasion made it clear that I'm price sensitive. Instead of "do you have X?" I'll say "how much is X?". This has sometimes gotten me discounts I hadn't asked for. (especially if you pause for a good long think before saying anything else - tilt your head slightly, like you're doing calculations and making comparisons to a deal available somewhere else)


  • #89
    Captcha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 336 ✭✭Captcha


    6 months ago I got a 50" 1080 HD Panasonic down from €600 to €500 in D.I.D.

    That for 15 minutes work I saved €100.


  • #90
    mikemac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,967 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    Shivers26 wrote: »

    I will haggle for services though. Currently planning my wedding, my sisters wedding and 2 hen parties and I have gotten some great deals just by asking 'is that the best price you can do' or see will they do me a deal if I book more than one. Got great deals on DJs, cars, party bus, cakes, hotel packages etc.

    Just on that, there's a good thread over in the wedding forum about ensuring the VAT decrease is passed on to you.
    Some places will attempt to pocket it if you had already paid

    Worth a read
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056265243


  • Advertisement
  • #91
    NTMK
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,575 ✭✭✭NTMK


    Seachmall wrote: »
    From what I've heard if they did haggle with you any discount they gave would come out of their commission (and would essentially eat their commission up) so they were often very unlikely to cut any deals.

    a tip would be to haggle with the manager of the store thats what i do and AFAIK theyre commission is based off targets rather than what they themselves


Advertisement
Advertisement