Learn How To Haggle

Max Edison is the author of How to Haggle. In his research for the book, he learned that 90 percent of customers who haggled on everyday items were successful at least once in reducing the price of the items. Don’t avoid haggling simple because you don’t want to look like a “cheapskate”, bargaining can pay off big-time and save you hundreds of dollars.

Prepare yourself before you go shopping. Research on line the item you are interested in buying. Find out how much the item regularly sells for and how low the sale price usually goes for.

Here are five tips from Edison on how to haggle:

Offer to pay in cash. Many retailers will be willing to knock off between 3% and 4% for cash. Use the statement: “Can you do a little better if I buy today and pay in cash?”

Ask when the item goes on sale and then see if they will sell it to you today for the sale price.

Offer to split the difference. If you are stuck on one price and the manager won’t offer you that price, ask to split the difference.

Look for flaws with the item. Politely point out flaws and as for 20% off.

If the manager won’t budge on the price, ask him/her to throw in a free installation or delivery.