Buying a New Washing Machine at Sears? Try Haggling!
One of the first lessons we learn in mediation school is that Americans become impatient after the third negotiation move. Why? Because we buy retail. We're just not a bargaining culture. Most Americans negotiate the price of a new (or used) car and real estate. Period. And you won't find many who will tell you how much fun that was. In fact, we dislike bargaining so much that some of us are willing to pay a professional "haggler" to do it for us!
So do we have to go to foreign lands to sharpen our haggling skills? Not according to a news item in today's Reuters -- Looking to pay a lower price? Just try asking . . . Turns out, when Americans negotiate for a discount, they generally get it.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Looking for a lower price on that DVD player at Sears or that refrigerator at Lowe's Cos Inc? Ask for one and you just might get it.More than 90 percent of shoppers who tried to negotiate a discount on furniture, electronics and appliances, floor and demonstration models, and medical bills got one on at least one purchase in the past three years, according to a new survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.
"It's a wake-up call to consumers to realize that the price isn't always the price," said Consumer Reports Senior Editor Tod Marks in an interview.
The survey, which included 2,167 U.S. households, found that of those who negotiated for lower prices on furniture, 94 percent were successful in scoring a lower price at least once in the past three years.
For the remainder of the article, click here.
Tips for the negotiation-averse tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy the famous Monty Python Life of Brian Haggling Scene here!
