Are You Willing to Haggle or Is It Too Uncomfortable and Awkward?

[Deactivated] on 23/09/2017 - 01:11

Note: the title was just going to be "Do you haggle?" but I was informed that was too short so I had to pad it out a bit.

I know this might seem like an odd or obvious question on this site but a willingness to chase an online bargain or use coupon codes and actually stand face to face and haggle are different enough that I won't assume everyone on here are also willing hagglers. Additionally, in some cultures haggling is just a part of day-to-day life whereas in others it is kind of frowned upon as being cheap or a bit of a social faux pas.

So, if you do haggle what has been your best victory? What is your approach?

If you constantly have to deal with hagglers, how do you feel about it?

General Discussion

Comments

  • Some Human on 23/09/2017 - 01:15

    This topic seems familiar https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/331180

    • [Deactivated] on 23/09/2017 - 01:22

      I was kind of thinking more day-to-day haggling. If you went into a clothing store (not a chain but a corner store or something) and a jumper was $45 would you offer the seller $40, pay the $45 or just walk out?

      Plus, naming Gumtree just brings out everyone complaining about their shitty experience with Gumtree. I am not even sure if what people do on Gumtree can even be considered haggling. Haggling is usually more reasonable and sensible, Gumtree is infested with idiots who waste time and make absurd offers no one would accept.

      • Apple96 on 23/09/2017 - 01:37

        "Gumtree is infested with idiots who waste time and make absurd offers no one would accept"

        Reminds me of the time someone offered $5 for a working computer I was selling. Not gonna say the brand, but its pretty easy to guess. :P

        • xoom on 23/09/2017 - 02:51

          They call you a bedwetter for not accepting the lowball offer?

        • Apple96 on 23/09/2017 - 18:35
          +1

          @xoom: nope, a C*** actually

        • PVA on 23/09/2017 - 18:37
          -1

          double what its worth, should have jumped at it

          :)

        • Apple96 on 23/09/2017 - 18:38

          @PVA: $5 for a working, recent generation iMac? really?

        • PVA on 23/09/2017 - 20:03

          @Apple96:
          i did do a smiley, meaning a joke.

        • Apple96 on 23/09/2017 - 20:06
          +1

          @PVA: a ;) would of been a better choice. Lol

        • PVA on 23/09/2017 - 20:14

          @Apple96:
          too old for all that. I only know :) and :(

  • dylanando on 23/09/2017 - 01:41
    +4

    If i was buying a lot of things at a retail store i'd ask for a discount and often get one but i wouldnt do it to normal everyday items.
    As you mentioned above, Low ballers on Gumtree are a joke.

    Selling something with an asking price of $3,000.
    Buyer: Hi, Still available?
    Seller: Yes still available
    buyer: Will you take 30cents?

    • vinni9284 on 23/09/2017 - 11:40
      +2

      Hahaha .. Gumtree … yep you get those lowballers!

      Buyer: Can you deliver?
      Seller: No problem .. I will gift wrap it for you and drive 45 mins on the other side of town to drop it off.
      Buyer: OK, how about 4pm?
      Seller: No worries, I'll see you then (address exchanged)
      @ 3:59PM
      Buyer: Sorry I am not interested.

      LOL

    • t25 on 23/09/2017 - 12:22
      +1

      you forgot to add the part where the buyer tells you it is cash.

      not sure what other payment methods people use on gumtree.

      • vinni9284 on 23/09/2017 - 12:26
        +1

        Yes! Agree…. no I only accept VISA LOL

      • xoom on 23/09/2017 - 12:55
        +1

        You mean to tell me you don't accept IOU? Unbelievable. Taking my goat for barter elsewhere.

        /sarcasm

  • Sage on 23/09/2017 - 03:00
    +3

    I wouldn't haggle, it seems akin to begging.

  • cwongtech on 23/09/2017 - 03:08

    If you constantly have to deal with hagglers, how do you feel about it?

    Depends if its a well known store or a street market stall.
    Street market stall you can.

    Well known stores with uniforms - I work for one and we aren't really allowed to give discounts unless it's part of a sale.
    Relevant

    Anyway, I find it's easier to just search online for what I need.
    Street market stalls come exactly from the same sources (ebay/alibaba/aliexpress).
    Why bother wasting time trying to haggle a $30 item down to $15, when you can buy online for $5?

    You're wasting their time, you're wasting your time, money and effort.

  • garetz on 23/09/2017 - 03:19
    +2

    Depends on the item, i always haggle for electrical goods/white goods/pretty much anything electrical. I never haggle for clothes. I prefer to research for the best prices instead.

  • AlienC on 23/09/2017 - 08:00

    I have started to learn to haggle but still not very good at it haha lol level 1 haggler.. but I have haggled a $30 shoe to like $15 still feel ripped off though.

  • charzy on 23/09/2017 - 08:58

    I'd haggle if I was purchasing multiple items in the same transaction. If you can sell two items and make the same proft but keep the customer happy to come back for more, why not?

  • barbarella on 23/09/2017 - 10:07
    +1

    For larger items it is easy to say "discount for cash?"

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 23/09/2017 - 10:17

    I hate haggling. I do it all the time in Asia only because I don't have a choice. I can't pay 3-4 times the price I'd pay in Australia in a poorer country (though of course I can accept more as per usual variations).

    Half the time I feel like I've just had an argument with someone because they always put on such a serious resting b face throughout the process and I sense that they feel I'm a gullible idiot.

    I'm okay with price-matching. Saves me time and I've got the upper hand.

  • Goanna on 23/09/2017 - 22:03
    +1

    I'm generally a bit of a softy and can find it hard to ask for discounts etc., however recently I have discovered something about myself… I don't find it too hard to ask if I do it in a happy, cheeky way (often with a bit of a joke or exaggeration). Previously I approached the negotiation as a bit of a confrontation and that got me a bit stressed, but I have got some good results with my new approach and have much more fun doing it.

  • Easy game on 24/09/2017 - 04:37
    +2

    I regularly haggle with the girlfriend. She wanted to get a cat. I didn't want a cat. So we compromised and got a cat.

  • voteoften on 25/09/2017 - 22:51

    Was in HCM for one day and went to Ben Tan market where I'd been previously. Saw a purse I liked and was quoted 5.9 m vnd. Said sorry, can not do. Can only do 1 M vnd. Surprised that they relented and eventually accepted. She then harassed me for $5 AUD for a coffee. Yeah, naw. Really happy with the purse. I love grab and uber in these Asian countries because you don't need to speak the language. Fixed price. Local transport was always the most stressful part of travel in SEA.

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