I need help negotiating

Lozalex on 22/07/2012 - 18:08

Hello fellow forum members.

I'm new to OzBargain but thought I would start by asking a question which I've been wondering for a while:

Here's the background: I HATE negotiating prices with salespeople. The last time I bought a television I looked online for the retailer with the cheapest price for the model I wanted and so I went into that store. I asked the guy if he could take some money off (and felt uncomfortable even with that) and he did that thing they do where they walk away for a coffee out the back, then come back saying they can knock another $50 off. I got the feeling he could go much lower but I felt really uncomfortable arm-wrestling with him over it, so I bought the TV. Later I was looking online and I found out that people were getting the same TV from the same franchise for around $300 less, but even if I had known that beforehand I don't think I would have wanted to fight with him over it.

I'm uncomfortable about the idea of buying expensive electronics online, but I can't help but feel as though the retailers are taking advantage of me with their huge mark-ups.

What I'd like to know is if there are any services out there who can negotiate the lowest price for me. I guess kind of like a real estate buyer's agent, but for smaller things like electronics. Obviously I'd have to pay them something so I wouldn't have saved the full $300, but surely I would have been better off.

Education & Work

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 22/07/2012 - 19:29

    What I'd like to know is if there are any services out there who can negotiate the lowest price for me.

    i doubt it would be cost effective for someone to be paid to come down and negotiate on your behalf. It does exist for house auctions though.

    I'd suggest bringing a friend to negotiate for you

  • evol on 22/07/2012 - 20:55
    +1

    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/74483 is a good read.

  • StewBalls on 23/07/2012 - 01:04
    +3

    Negotiating is like anything, practice makes perfect.

    I think the simplest tip for any potential bargainer to really streamline negotiations is to have the maximum price fixed in your head that you're willing to pay for an item long before you walk in the door. Once you've established that the item is exactly what you want, offer your predetermined maximum figure. If they accept, great; but if they decline, just thank the salesperson for their time & walk out the door.

    If your max was a fair price, then there's a good chance you'll be called back when they realise you're serious; if not, just keep on walking straight out the door into another shop that will do the deal. No conflict, just an offer & the binary choice for the salesperson of acceptance or declinature, easy peazy lemon squeezy! :)

    • CrushJelly on 23/07/2012 - 08:14
      +2

      ^^ this is how you negotiate.
      Do your research and determine what price you are willing to accept. Don't ask too many questions about the product, just show that you know what you want and you have done your research. You offer him/her your price "I'm willing to put down $xx for this, what can you do?" and your side of the negotiating is done. Simple.

      If yes, all good.
      If they come back with a higher figure, say thanks but no thanks.

      This is a buyer's market. As long as your price was reasonable, someone is bound to agree with your terms.

  • justdigi on 23/07/2012 - 07:21

    I remember at university I was a member of the student union and they had a service called Union Shopper that did exactly that - negotiated prices on your behalf and then you went in and paid/picked up the item. Seems they are still around (www.unionshopper.com.au), but you have to be a member of a union to use them for free :-/

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/07/2012 - 09:18
    -5

    Time to grow a seat of balls.

    If you can't negotiate how are you ever going to get a decent payrise, ask a hot chick out, send bad food back at a restaurant? People will always take advantage of you if you can't speak, reason and argue confidently……time to snip the umbilical cord and become a MAN.

    • mineallmine on 23/07/2012 - 10:30
      +2

      Interesting that's you definition of a MAN, or your assumption the original poster is even male.

      I sadly must agree with you that being pushy is an attribute that is too often necessary in our society but I don't agree with you pushy/assertive people are "better".

      I share the OP's dislike for bargaining with over exploitative retailers. I do it only because I must as I'd rather hang onto my money than give it to them but to be honest their post brought a smile to my face that not everyone is as pushy and aggressive as I find I have to be in daily life.

      I do it because I must not because it is "manly". More power to you ozalex and ignore other peoples personal opinions about your personality :-)

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 05/08/2012 - 14:25

        Negotiate /= pushy.

        You can negotiate without being pushy. You just have to stick with your requirements/beliefs/wants and be convinced otherwise by the other party.

    • StewBalls on 23/07/2012 - 11:28
      +4

      Time to grow a seat of balls.

      The only problem with sitting on your balls is that if they get twisted it can really hurt. Testicular torsion is no laughing matter! :p

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 05/08/2012 - 14:23

        Uh oh, spelling police are on patrol

        • StewBalls on 10/08/2012 - 14:59

          Yep, and you're charged with lacking a sense of humour.

  • Davo1111 on 23/07/2012 - 09:47
    +1

    It's a pretty reasonable fear imo. what you should consider is 'what's the worst that can happen' and 'waht's the best that can happen'. You already know the baseline of what you can buy the product for, so why not ask for a discount? You don't have to be aggressive or anything.

  • retiredfeline on 23/07/2012 - 11:57

    I'm uncomfortable about the idea of buying expensive electronics online

    Why? As long as the business is reputable, this is one way to get a good deal without haggling. You also save time going in person though you have to spend some time researching on the web. Buyers never had it better.

      • retiredfeline on 23/07/2012 - 12:25
        +3

        You have the same legal protections as with a bricks and mortar shop. In fact I get better service from some online retailers than any shop. I had a cosmetic dent on my fridge door on delivery. The rep asked me to send in a picture of it and then authorised a rebate for the damage. Easy peasy.

        The fact is less and less people are going to be needed in retail. That's the way it is.

        • retiredfeline on 23/07/2012 - 13:04
          +2

          But you apparently trust this forum enough to ask our advice. For all you know we may be bots trying to convince you that online shopping is good. :)

  • Moderator[Deactivated] on 23/07/2012 - 13:11

    Sorry people the OP was setting things up to promote their own service, through very convenient sockpuppeting.

    Rather than delete the thread where some of our very helpful members have spent time giving advice that could be of assistance to others, I have deleted the OP's comments and the sockpuppets replies.

    If they cant be straight with their service on a board like this, it does raise questions in my mind can they be straight when dealing on my behalf.

    • Davo1111 on 23/07/2012 - 13:25
      +5

      thanks ozpete. thats a shame we've got sockpuppeters going to that level :(

      I hope they realise google is starting to lower the SEO of forum spammers.

  • batrarobin on 24/07/2012 - 09:45

    Cheeky !

    • ozb-442 on 06/08/2012 - 17:03

      Copy cat!

  • steviee on 14/08/2012 - 15:38

    ok whose going to post a link to a sock puppeting site so i know what it is

    • retiredfeline on 14/08/2012 - 15:38
      +1

      Just do a search on "sockpuppet" in your favourite search engine.

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