how to bargain?

Answer 1

Remember that NO is your friend.

Never let someone high-pressure sell you. Always remember that their "final offer" still gives you two options, buying and walking away.

Don't be afraid to say "No". When negotiating the price of my house, I told the seller I was going to walk away from the sale over the closing date, even though I really wanted the house. Needless to say, I got the price and date I wanted.

When my wife was buying a car, I had pre-determined the most we'd spend on payments. When the "final offer" came back $3 per month higher than that, I thanked the salesman for his time but said that we'd be passing. When he said, "but we're only $3 off of your price", I replied, "No, you're $3 over my maximum."

We picked up the car the next day, at a lower price.

Answer 2

Your best bargaining tool is cash. If you have cash for the item, you can usually bargain on the price, no matter where you are shopping. Walk into a store with $100 bills and bargain on a big screen tv, or bedroom furniture or whatever it is, the cash talks big time. And dont settle for "I would have to ask the manager." Then get the manager!

Walk in with your $100 bills saying, "I want a deal." This will get their attention, and if they dont work with you, then leave. And dont go back, go somewhere else, and tell them that you are. They want your money, and you want their product. Dont let them know how much you want it, play it cool. Be reasonable about the amount you are offering, though, dont try to rip them off. But offering $900 in cash for a $1300 something, is not unreasonable, just try it and see what they do.

Also, know your stuff, (especially in cars) know what you are looking for, and how much its worth. That is very important.

Answer 3

It depends what you are negotiating. But whatever it is, you are better off when you negotiate for a real deal. Say you are trying to buy a car that has a sticker price of 20,000 and its invoice is 17,000. Depending on how popular the car is, you should be able to get it for between 17K and 20K. On widely available cars, you should be able to get it right at the invoice price. But the key is that you try to know in advance what is it that you're willing to accept as a deal. Make up your mind and stand your ground. Be willing to walk away, if your terms are not accepted, but then again your terms need to be reasonable. In the example with the car, say you know that this car sells at average price of 17,500; well you may try to go for 17,200, and if the dealer says no -- walk away. They will catch you at the door and accept your terms. But if you are trying to get it for 15K, nothing is going to happen. So, the key is whatever you negotiate, try to know in advance what the good deal is, and decide to what extent it makes sense for you to negotiate. Sometimes, negotiation itself takes more time and energy, than it's result.
Also depends where you are and what the local traditions are, say if you go to Germany, they are not used to negotiating, so they will just look funny at you. But if you're in Dominican Republic and a guy on a street market offers you a box of cigars for $200, you can try a counter offer at $10, he will continue and you will probably walk away with it for about $40.
Anyway, homework, patience and also don't get excited, when you're excited your judgment is not that cool.
I hope this will help.

Answer 4

When I make deals/bargain, I like to think of a win-win situation. Whenever you think of the other party, first, then try and seek ways of helping them get want they want, they will be more willing to help you get what you want. However, you have to genuinely help them, not just helping so that you can be owed something. Win-win, that's what bargaining and striking deals is all about.