05 Nov

How to Negotiate a Lower Price on Just About Everything

We all know that the price that is listed on many items that are for sale is not the final price that you have to pay. After all, there are always coupon codes and discounts that you can hunt down so that you can pay a price that is lower than the original price of the product. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that coupons aren’t the only way to get a lower price on items. In fact, you might have better luck getting a good deal if you’re willing to negotiate a better fee. You can actually get a lower price on almost everything (including your home, your car, insurance, medical fees and consumer items) if you know who to talk to and how to negotiate a lower price.

Here are some basic tips to follow if you want to learn to negotiate a lower price on just about anything that you’re buying:

• Always assume that a lower price can be negotiated. The biggest problem that most people have is that they assume that a price is a set price. For example, a lot of people think that whatever their doctor charges them is a set fee. This isn’t the case. You can negotiate with your doctor for lower charges. Always assume that a negotiation is possible so that you don’t cut yourself short without even trying.

• Learn about the most common items that you can negotiate a price on. There are some items that you can almost always negotiate a price on if you know that this is a common practice for those items. Cars, especially used cars, are a great example. The asking price of a car is almost never the final price of the car; you’re expected to bargain. You’re also expected to bargain over include all items sold at yard sales, flea markets and through online auctions.

• Speak with someone who is in a position to negotiate with you. The items that you’re going to find it most difficult to negotiate a lower price on are those items that are mass produced and sold for a set price in a chain store. The clerk at the store isn’t authorized to negotiate a lower price with you so there is no point in trying to bargain. Instead, you’ll want to shop at designer-owned clothing stores, flea markets and farmers’ markets where the items are being sold by people who are in a position to negotiate with you.

• Do your research into what a fair price is for the items that you want. You want to approach a negotiation with a ballpark figure in mind. This figure should be lower than the asking price but still fair to the seller. For example, if you want a custom-made cake then you should get some quotes as to what a fair price is for this item so that you don’t cheat the seller but you still get your bargain. If you don’t know what a fair price is then your negotiation isn’t going to go well.

• Pay with cash. This is a good practice anyway but it’s especially good when negotiating for a lower price on an item. Many vendors are willing to accept a lower price if they can get cash in hand right now. This is how you might be able to get a discount from your doctor who would prefer not to go through the hassle of working with your insurance company if you offer to pay cash up front instead.

• Ask what the price is and then ask “what can I do to lower that price?” You never want to simply “can you give me a better deal” or “what’s the lowest that you can go” because these questions don’t give you the best results. Instead, assume that a better price is to be had and jump straight to asking the seller what you can do to get a lower price. This puts the ball in their court, catches them off guard and usually makes the transaction go smoothly on your end. For example, let’s say that you’re buying a new piece of furniture. You ask what the price is and get an answer then you ask the important question – “what can I do to lower that price?” The owner responds, “hm, well, if you pick it up instead of having it delivered then I can take 10% off of the price”.

• Know about the basic things that you can offer to lower the price. The seller might not always know how to answer that important question for you so you should have some back-up suggestions in mind. Offer to do any delivery, moving or service required on your own. (For example, you may get a lower cost on a weekly package of food from a local farmer if you drive out to the farm to get it yourself.) Ask about getting a lower price for taking a slightly-used or floor model. (For example, take the digital camera that has been out on display instead of a brand new one in the box.) Question whether you can remove some of the unnecessary aspects of service. (For example, ask your insurance provider what areas of coverage can be minimized or deleted to reduce your costs or ask your housekeeper about a lower rate for cleaning the stove and refrigerator yourself.)

• Ask about bartering. If you can’t get an outright lower price on an item that you want then maybe you can offer to barter for the item instead of paying for it. You do have to remember that you’ll be losing your own products or the time it takes to complete a service if you barter but this is a great way to get the things that you want without spending much (or any) money. Since you’re shopping with people who are in a position to bargain with you, you’re in a position to ask what they might need in exchange for what you want.

• Remember common courtesy. Whenever you are bargaining for a lower price on something you should always mind your manners. Be confident in your request but be polite. Thank the person if they do give you a discount but don’t be rude if you don’t get your way. Use common sense.

It’s true that you’re probably not going to end up bargaining for a lower price on everything. If you want to shop at a traditional grocery store using coupons then you probably won’t be able to find someone there who is in a position to bargain with you. However, you do have the opportunity to negotiate a lower price on just about everything if you want to try. Hopefully these tips will help get you started!

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