July 2007
Bringing out your inner haggler
- Be patient and be nice. If you're waiting to talk with the manager, don't glare at your watch or tap on the counter. No one wants to bargain with
a grouch.
- Time your haggling. Late in the month, when salespeople are trying to meet their quotas, can be a good time to bargain for big-ticket items.
And evening or early morning hours are usually less busy, so clerks will have time to talk.
- Know before you go. Research prices and store policies. Bring Web printouts, flyers, and newspaper ads with you.
- Learn to read the ticket. Price or inventory tags often contain date stamps that tell you how long an item has been in the store, though you may need
to ask a friendly salesperson to help you locate and decipher the codes. Retailers are often more willing to cut the price
on merchandise that's been on the sales floor a longer time.
- Avoid an audience. Haggle out of the earshot of other customers. Sales clerks don't want everyone in the store asking for a deal too.
- Inquire about sales. Salespeople often know when an item will be going on sale. Ask if they will hold something for you until then--or let you
have it now at the lower price.
- Find fixable flaws. Look over items carefully for minor imperfections you know you can live with or easily repair, say, a dent on a washing machine
or a missing button on a shirt.
- Be prepared to walk. Unless those pumps are worth full retail to you, there are other stores with other shoes.
