November 3, 2006

  • Insprired by Simply_Sindy, this entry is to educate everyone about bargaining. Here's my little disclaimer. . . I'm no expert, but I can and have made vendors cry. ^_^
    SP= Salesperson

    #1: Always HIDE your enthusiasm
    --> Do not show the SP how much you want it
    --> Act cool and aloof. . . "hmmm, charming" (and if possible, yawn or sigh)

    *at this point, SP will throw his/her sales pitch. . . its one of its kind, handmade, unique, blah blah blah
    #2: Ask the price

    *SP will quote a much higher price
    #3: Show disapproval or disgust, but politely, of course

    *now, SP will tell you this is the best value
    #4: Be SMART. . . someone will always ALWAYS have a better value. . . Tell them to do better. . . and quote 30% when asked your price range

    *sometimes, SP will ask you how much you think its worth. . . remember its usually about 30% of whatever they quoted you. I'm a bitch, so I give them a number that's 25% of the number they give me. Of course this is when they tell you you're crazy, its highway robbery, blah blah blah
    #5: Shrug and walk away. Play indifference.

    *Sp will then almost plead you to consider. . . be "sympathetic" but play hardball. . .
    REPEAT #4 and #5 for about 6 rounds of sparing. . . occasionally increase your price range by 5% every 2 repeats.

    #6: If you play cool enough (and after much practise), you should be able to walk away with 40-50% of the price.

    ASK questions (is this your best offer?) (what else can you give me?) (How about if I buy more than 1?) (what if I find a similar item somewhere else at a much cheaper price?) there are lots of questions to ask. . . that's a whole new ballpark. . . cos questions are determined by location, price range, quality, location.

    An actual Scenario

    Act 1, Scene 1
    Location: Bali

    Me: (to friend) look at this bag. . . nice, huh?
    SP: you should get it, its handmade
    Me: Nice worksmanship
    SP: yes, I made it (or some family member)
    Me: hmmm. . . how much?
    SP: for you? US$10!! Its a great value
    Me: US$10??? That's way too expensive!
    SP: nonono, its gooood price! very cheap!
    Me: eh. . . its too pricey for me. Thanks anyway.
    SP: Wait! How much do you wanna pay? Gimme a price, we can negotiate. (BTW, negotiate is my favorite word)
    Me: ok, I give you $3
    SP: WHAT! That's too low, I still have family to feed, you know.
    Me: So do I, you know. (I start to walk away)
    SP: okokok, $6. (that's a whopping $4 discount which means I can go lower. . . YEAY!)
    Me: Nope. $3. Take it or leave it
    SP: oh no. . . that's too low
    Me: That's too bad cos I'd buy it from you right now (hint to them that you'd buy it from them if the price is right)
    SP: ok, tell me your price
    Me: I already did. $3
    SP: (SIGH) how am I going to feed my family with $3?? $5!!!
    Me: How about I buy 2 for $3 each? then you have $6! I tell all my friends and they'll buy from you too!! No one's hungry, everyone's happy.
    SP: (Another sigh. . . this one's longer. . . its a sign that I've won) okok, $4 each if you buy 2 or more. I'm sorry cannot go lower.
    Me: hmmm. . . oh ok. I'll take 4.
    SP: (VERY HAPPY) Thank you!!!

    I'm happy, SP's happy. . . we all happy. . . and now I have 4 bags to give away.

    This works ONLY in certain areas. . . usually in areas or shops that don't require much supervision.
    Another successful bargaining experience took place in China. . . 12 watches, US$12 (starting price: $12 each) I bargained for about 20% (by mistake, problems with calculations that day) but for only 2 watches. By the time I was done, I'd gotten it for about $2.50 each, then brother came, I bought more, weaseled 2 extra watches while I was at it. GOSH! I was so high. haha. . . too bad I can't bargain for millions. . . working out my intimidating stare with my cat.

    Keep in mind this DOES NOT work in department stores. . . the following rules for department stores
    1) Always ask if this is the best offer
    2) Any upcoming sale
    3) Any discount offers... maybe sign up as member eg. Macys account
    4) Any free gifts

    Happy Shopping!

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