Negotiation
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Ask 'Is that your best price?' or if there is any 'wiggle room' when bargaining for items with flexible pricing.
This question can be empowering and successful in some contexts.
- Do not ask this in retail stores where prices are fixed.
- Some sellers find this question offensive or hate being asked.
2 people, independently
Haggle on big-ticket items such as cable, phone service, mattresses, cars, tires, appliances, roofs, and internet services.
It is in the buyer's best interest to haggle on high-cost items.
- Big ticket items are becoming less haggle-able.
one person who lived it
Haggle on slow weekdays when retail employees are hurting for sales.
You can use their need for sales to your advantage.
one person who lived it
Try to negotiate a deal with the lender or agency to resolve the debt.
Nothing else seems feasible.
one person who lived it
Ask for cash prices when buying furniture.
Some places offer huge discounts for cash payments.
one person who lived it
price, ask, service, offer50
Be ready to leave a negotiation if the other party's offer is too far from your target.
Ask mechanics and contractors for a cash discount, as they may waive taxes or fees.
Some providers knock tax off the bill or offer discounts for cash payments.
one person who lived it
Accept a small discount from the only interested buyer to sell the item quickly.
It helps get rid of the item if there is no other competition.
- If multiple people respond, require them to pay full price or leave.
one person who lived it
Act disinterested in the item and point out its flaws or high maintenance costs to lower the price.
Sellers pick up on interest; showing none prevents them from holding firm on the price.
one person who lived it
Walk away or act hesitant during negotiations to encourage the seller to lower the price further.
Sellers may be desperate enough to lower prices if you decline their offer.
- In some places like India, shops may simply confirm the price without lowering it.
2 people, independently
44 more on this
If a vendor says 'yes' to 'Is this your best price?', respond with 'Oh ok' and walk away or express disappointment to prompt them to budge.
Expressing that the price is more than you can spend often gets them to lower the price.
one person who lived it
Visit furniture stores that are going out of business.
One person secured a leather chair at 60% off.
one person who lived it
When calling for local services, state that you are looking for a quote rather than asking how fast they can arrive.
Signals you are shopping around, which may prompt the best price immediately and help avoid rush or emergency fees.
one person who lived it
When salespeople ask what you currently pay for a service, refuse to answer and ask them directly for their price instead.
You are not there to do their homework for them.
one person who lived it
Tell furniture salespeople honestly why you are not buying, such as price or style issues.
This often leads to significant savings or better offers.
one person who lived it
Ask a manager if you can challenge the price of a product that has a visible problem.
one person who lived it
- Ask for a discount on items that are nicked, crumpled, or otherwise damaged.3
Be polite and friendly when calling companies, as it makes a huge difference in getting help.
Other people want to help and see you succeed; impoliteness yields terrible results.
one person who lived it
Keep negotiations brief by making one offer and at most one counter-offer, then stop.
Most leverage is gone after the first offer.
one person who lived it
Request price matching from retail stores against online competitors.
It saves time and shipping costs.
2 people, independently
In some regions like Bali, if you accept a vendor's first price offer, they may lower it themselves out of embarrassment.
- This is based on one specific observation in Bali.
one person who lived it
Seek out top-performing salespeople at a store rather than desperate ones, as they often provide better service and deals.
Desperate salespeople may try too hard and offer bad deals, while top performers are successful for a reason.
one person who lived it
Negotiate with suppliers or competitors you do not intend to buy from first.
You will learn correct prices, product lingo, and bargaining points, allowing you to sound knowledgeable when dealing with your preferred supplier.
one person who lived it
If acquaintances ask for a 'friend price,' charge them 35% more than your normal rate to deter them from taking advantage of your business.
One approach that worked: the requester stopped contacting the service provider entirely.
one person who lived it
Cancel a service, wait one billing cycle, and then sign up again to qualify for new customer discounts.
Businesses often offer incentives to win back lost customers.
one person who lived it
Ask customer service to refund shipping fees.
This is often within their authority and can be a sizable amount for large items.
one person who lived it
Smilingly ask for humorous, self-deprecating discounts (e.g., 'Seriously good looking old guy' discount) to build rapport and secure a deal.
This approach amazes the speaker with how many times it results in getting a discount.
one person who lived it
Practice saying no to avoid being run over repeatedly in life.
one person who lived it
Dispute and request removal of expedited fees if a propane delivery company fails to deliver within the promised timeframe.
The fee applies only if service is received within the agreed time window.
one person who lived it
Only haggle in stores that employ salesmen, such as furniture stores or car dealerships; never haggle in stores with set prices like grocery or bookstores.
Attempting to haggle in fixed-price stores brands you negatively and leads to poor service.
one person who lived it
If there is a long line and few cashiers available, do not ask for discounts to avoid delaying service and annoying staff.
It requires calling additional staff and takes longer to process the transaction.
one person who lived it
Check if a salesperson works on commission to determine if the price is negotiable.
Commission-based salespeople are likely able to work with you, whereas others generally lack the room to maneuver.
one person who lived it
Get the final service price in writing to prevent unexpected increases after the work is done.
Prevents situations where quotes suddenly change to different actual prices.
one person who lived it
- Discuss and agree on pricing before authorizing any work to avoid disputes over costs after completion.1
Agree on the final price in writing before discussing financing options.
Dealers may offer better prices assuming you will use their specific lender to earn incentives.
one person who lived it
Obtain quotes from multiple competitors before making an offer.
This forces companies to work for your business.
one person who lived it
Assume that difficult-to-find pricing information indicates an item is overpriced.
If the price isn't mentioned, the seller likely isn't proud of it.
one person who lived it
If a frontline salesperson cannot provide a discount, ask to speak with their manager.
Salespeople sometimes lack the authority to grant discounts.
one person who lived it
Politely ask hotel clerks for special rates such as Senior or AAA rates even if you do not qualify.
- Rude behavior can result in higher rates.
one person who lived it
Express interest in a competitor's property to a real estate agent while looking at the house you actually want.
The agent may reveal problems with the competitor's house, providing information and bargaining points for the property you desire.
one person who lived it
Research the market value of a product before buying it to empower yourself during negotiations.
Knowing the value empowers you for negotiating.
2 people, independently
When negotiating with major carriers, threaten to switch to a competitor even if their coverage is poor in your area.
Sales representatives likely will not know or care about local coverage issues.
one person who lived it
When negotiating peer-to-peer sales, be emphatic about defects but polite, acknowledging the seller's effort.
This approach may make things easier.
one person who lived it
Do not trust car dealer invoices without verification.
Invoices have been modified by dealers.
one person who lived it
Negotiate prices when buying multiple identical items, as vendors are more willing to lower per-unit costs for volume.
2 people, independently
Contact your lender to negotiate payment plans or hardship modifications rather than immediately surrendering the vehicle.
Lenders often prefer to avoid repossession and may lower payments or stop interest temporarily.
2 people, independently
Be ready to leave a negotiation if the other party's offer is too far from your target.
4 people, independently
Firmly refuse unreasonable lowball offers immediately.
People who actually want the item will pay the asking price if it is reasonable.
one person who lived it
Contact the customer retention department to negotiate bills, remaining polite but avoiding threats to cancel.
Retention departments have different authority levels than front-line support, and threatening cancellation may result in service termination.
one person who lived it
When disputing a total loss valuation, request the specific comparable sales data the insurer used and check for discrepancies like prior accidents or missing features.
Comparables may include vehicles with history issues, such as airbag deployments, which lower their value.
one person who lived it
State clearly in your sales advertisement whether the price is firm or negotiable.
This prevents misunderstandings by removing room for assumption.
one person who lived it
Negotiate for added services, upgrades, or perks (such as maintenance, warranties, or branded items) rather than just lowering the base price.
2 people, independently
Decline further negotiation if a seller initially overcharges but later offers a much lower price.
One person prefers a decent offer upfront and is not interested otherwise.
one person who lived it
Ask sales associates if they work on commission before making a purchase.
2 people, independently
Ask for equipment needed for your job, such as monitors or printers, especially if other managers have them.
one person who lived it
Stop talking after making a request to pressure the other person into offering a concession.
one person who lived it
Buy a waterproof mattress protector to prevent stains that would void your warranty.
Stains on the mattress can cause the company to void the warranty.
one person who lived it