Everything is negotiable, or so the saying goes. Whether you’re shopping for a car, a refrigerator or a suit, part of talking to salespeople is to simply ask for a price break. Be nice, and maintain your walk-away leverage.
“When you ask for a discount, ask confidently like there is no reason in the world why your wish should not be granted,” said Mark Di Vincenzo, author of the books “Buy Shoes on Wednesday and Tweet at 4:00” and “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon.”
You have more negotiating power if you’re considering several purchases or can find flawed items or floor models for sale. Use phrases such as “Is there any wiggle room in that price?” and “Gee, that’s more than I wanted to spend.”
If you can’t bargain down the price, ask for free throw-ins, such as home delivery of an appliance, clothing alterations and no-interest financing. At smaller retailers, offering to pay cash — allowing the merchant to avoid credit-card transaction fees — might yield a discount, Di Vincenzo said.
Gregory Karp, Chicago Tribune
