Sadly, I’ve lost it.
I feel so embarassed and uncomfortable asking people to give me a discount. I’m not talking about going up to random stores and asking for discounts, but businesses where it’s considered a norm; where the more you bargain the better deal you get.
Due to the uncomfortableness, I either end up getting ripped off or I just walk away. 
Re: The Art of Bargaining
Take someone with you. That will boost your BCM (Bargaining Confidence Meter) by a minimum of 150%.
Secondly, you must remember that you can not bargain effectively if you are in love with the product. You have to be willing to walk away if you don't get a good deal.
Thirdly, random bargaining may seem the quickest method, and it can usually lead to some discounts, but its the most inefficient as well. You end up spending a lot more time bargaining, and even then you have no idea if you were being smart or taken for a ride. Random bargaining means that the vendor says the price is $100, and you counter-offer by saying "I'll give you $50" in the hope of settling for, may be $75. Its time consuming and, in all, fairness, has no basis. The real bargaining means doing your homework and have an objective basis for your counter-offer. So, if the vendor says $100, you can counter-offer by saying "the other vendor is offering me $65, if I buy two, so what can you do for me to get closer to that price" or that "I can order it online for $50 plus shipping, so can you match the price" or some other objective criteria to support your counter-offer. If you are not sure about an alternative objective criteria, then you fish around by saying "do you offer any discounts if I buy more than one?" or "when do you expect to have your next sale so I can buy this at a more reasonable price?" or something to leave a hook for the vendor to offer you a lower price.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
I do end up walking out even when I love what it is that I want.
The problem is that I feel very uncomfortable bargaining. I feel almost as though I'm committing a crime. I'm afraid of the possible nasty looks or whatever it is that holds me back from bargaining.
Back when I was around 10-11 living in Pakistan I had absolutely no trouble bargaining. I've lost it altogether now. :(
Re: The Art of Bargaining
*ttries to imagine a little sadiyah heckling with the korner dukan wala over toffian"
Re: The Art of Bargaining
Exactly my feelings. Its not easy to bargain and its not everyone’s job to do it. Lately I have come to the conclusion that I would never succeed in bargaining so I dont try it now. I try to go to the shops where there is no bargain. Atleast it gives me the comfort that I am not being robbed.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
Secondly, you must remember that you can not bargain effectively if you are in love with the product. You have to be willing to walk away if you don't get a good deal.
Thirdly, random bargaining may seem the quickest method, and it can usually lead to some discounts, but its the most inefficient as well. You end up spending a lot more time bargaining, and even then you have no idea if you were being smart or taken for a ride. Random bargaining means that the vendor says the price is $100, and you counter-offer by saying "I'll give you $50" in the hope of settling for, may be $75. Its time consuming and, in all, fairness, has no basis. The real bargaining means doing your homework and have an objective basis for your counter-offer. So, if the vendor says $100, you can counter-offer by saying "the other vendor is offering me $65, if I buy two, so what can you do for me to get closer to that price" or that "I can order it online for $50 plus shipping, so can you match the price" or some other objective criteria to support your counter-offer. If you are not sure about an alternative objective criteria, then you fish around by saying "do you offer any discounts if I buy more than one?" or "when do you expect to have your next sale so I can buy this at a more reasonable price?" or something to leave a hook for the vendor to offer you a lower price.
I am very poor at bargaining and coz of this i always prefer stores who have fixed prices.
Sadly i haven't even been able to learn it, though m father is excellent at it. WHile going with him, i have felt that good bargaining also needs 'involving' the vendor/seller into the deal. Talk him/her into a bargain.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
I don't know if taking friends along would be much of an ego boost. For all you know you get dirty looks or silly comments from the sales representative/owner and you're more embarrassed.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
Everywhere I went (in pak), i felt compelled to always bargain.. it was worse when everyon cud tell by lookin at me that i’m not pure Lahori paki, that im from outside.. so it was harder to get a discount.. i stuck to places like Potpurri or certain shops in Liberty/defense, coz they always have “fixed” prices.. i cant stand the hassle f waiting and awiting and having to leave somethin behind.. :no:
Re: The Art of Bargaining
^ OMG same here, I got these like churain for Rs300 - 400 which werent even worth a 100 and everyone laughed at me :( I have paid around that much for CDs too when my cousins get em for like Rs60
Re: The Art of Bargaining
I'm the U L T I M A T E haggler, maybe this is where my psych degree comes in. LOL I observe the shop assistant, and through subtle general chit chat talk about the product, price, and where else it's cheaper and i usually get a good discount. I think charm and smiling helps a lot.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
^^
I need to borrow you next time I buy a car. I suck at haggling :(
Re: The Art of Bargaining
I think the main problem with all you self-confessed poor hagglers is, that you think if you bargain then the vendor will think you are poor, and hence app ki izzat mein kami aa jayay gi. Alternatively you feel if you pay straightup what the vendor is asking you to pay then you will appear posh and rich.
This is not an unreasonable way to think, but you are missing a very important point. Read on...
The way to get over this false ego syndrome is to imagine this: if you don't bargain and just pay what the vendor asks you to pay then once you walk out of the shop, the vendor will turn to his assistant and say "what a dumb idiot, I was expecting him/her to bargain and he/she didn't even ask me for a discount, hahahaha". Now think how you do not want to appear like an idiot, and hence it is compulsary upon you to bargain everywhere you go. You want to appear smart. All rich people are smart. All rich people bargain. Thus you bargain. Woo hooo!! Go back in. Return the merchandize and bargain away.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
What kind of places are you allowed to bargain at?
Re: The Art of Bargaining
^ WHat do you mean "allowed". You can and should bargain everywhere, except may be restaurants. From a street corner selling fake Gucci handbags to the actual Gucci shop in the mall. Ofcourse it is crime to buy a car without bargaining, and anyone who doesn't attempt to bargain with a used car salesman should be shot.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
Hain?? u can bargain at Macy’s and walmart? 
Re: The Art of Bargaining
if its a fixed prices store then i won’t ask for any bargains. if not then i’d camp in the store until i get the stuff i want at the price i want. mostly it works. best thing is to figure out how desperate the salesperson is to sell. a $ spent less is a $ saved. :k:
Re: The Art of Bargaining
In Macy’s, definitely you can bargain. Its a different kind of bargaining, ofcourse, than your normal street side corner shop. Walmart, I am not sure as I have not gone/bought anything from there in a long time.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
^ How the hell do you bargain at Macys' ???
I have no street smarts, im a pathetic New Yorker :(
Re: The Art of Bargaining
Faisal bhai, are you suggesting that the next time I pay a visit to GAP I start bargaining?
Also, you've misunderstood some of us here. At least I have issues bargaining out of the fear of getting dirty looks and likely getting a straight 'NO' or some other absurdity, and not because I wish to maintain an image of someone who doesn't care about money and wants to look rich.
Re: The Art of Bargaining
I haggle wherever there is a chance, and even in bigger stores like when buying a TV etc i always try to get the assistant to price match something i've seen cheaper on the net or in another store..
Bazaars are hagglers paradise! I haggle sooo much when I go on Holiday and I usually end up buying something with a price of my choice..I bought this pure rabbit's wool rug from Egypt for- £9. Everyone was amazed, and yea I was pretty chuffed with my haggling skills.