Michelle Basch, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – If you don’t like clipping coupons or waiting for sales, there’s another tool you can use to get a deal on just about anything, and you were born with it: your voice.
By simply asking for a discount, there’s a very good chance you’ll get one.
If the thought of haggling makes you squeamish, Money Talks News has some helpful haggling tips.
- Be friendly but be firm.
- If you’re a frequent customer, remind the seller of that fact.
- Since businesses pay a transaction fee every time a customer uses a credit card, they might be more willing to bargain if you pay with cash.
- If there’s an awkward silence after you ask for a discount, just be patient and wait for an answer.
- If the person with whom you’re negotiating says he can’t lower the price, ask if you can get something extra such as a free upgrade or free delivery.
- Finally, if a seller doesn’t want to negotiate at all, tell him you’ll try to get a deal from a competitor instead.
In the end, negotiating takes practice. For more tips and a video, visit MSN Money.
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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
