You Can Haggle Over Retail Prices

(MarketWatch)  Many thrifty shoppers take pride in their ability to bargain with everyone from street vendors to car dealers and real estate brokers. But when it comes to retail shopping, they never think to second guess the sticker price.

That's a mistake, according to Consumer Reports' Money Advisor, because you can put those same haggling skills to work at your local department store, electronics outlet and furniture store. Here are the five laws of retail negotiation:

Timing is everything:
The end of the month is the best time to bargain, because salespeople are trying to meet their quotas, says Consumer Reports. Hint: Go to the store in the morning, when it's less busy, to ensure that the clerks have time to talk to you.

Ask about upcoming sales:
Many salespeople can tell you when something is scheduled to go on sale, so be sure to ask before you hit the checkout line. If a sale is coming up, find out whether the store will place your item on hold until then — or better yet, let you have it at the discounted price.

Decipher the ticket:
All of those seemingly meaningless price tag codes are clues. They often contain date stamps that can help you figure out how long a product has been on the floor, and some sales clerks will help you decipher them if you ask nicely enough. The longer an item has been sitting around gathering dust, the more willing the salespeople will be to negotiate on price.

Look for flaws:
Don't be shy about pointing out cosmetic imperfections. Retailers will often offer discounts on clothing, furniture and appliances with minor flaws.

Be polite:
Most retail clerks stand to benefit from making a sale, even at a bargain price. But they're unlikely to do it if it costs them their dignity — so be patient and courteous, and don't be surprised if the negotiation process takes a little longer than a normal transaction. Hint: Don't haggle within earshot of other customers. Salespeople don't want to have to offer the same deal to everyone else.


By Marshall Loeb

[arealtexan]

Ah, Consumer Reports strikes again. As a former retail manager in stores that sold big ticket items I can tell you that a lot of this is simply untrue.

1. Most stores "quotas" for salespeople are based on a biweekly schedule, not monthly.

2. The longer something sits on the floor is irrelevant if it's a current model. Most retailers live by the "never sell the floor model" rule. Why open up a new one and put it on the floor when you're going to have to sell it later at a discount because most folks don't want an item that people have had their hands all over.

3. Scratch and dents can be a good deal, but most of your major companies have guidelines for the markdowns that can be taken.

But remember it's Consumer Distorts that's giving you the info in this story. The same consumer reports that several years ago named Regina's Housekeeper vacuum it's best buy. The same Regina Housekeeper that I, as a sales rep for the company, was doing a major recall on because the idiots at corporate used some plastic bearings in the roller brush and they would melt after about 10 minutes of vacuuming.