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If the idea of negotiating for lower prices at yard sales, garage sales, estate sales and flea markets makes you queasy, relax. Haggling isn’t as intense as you might think. In fact, negotiating with vendors is easy. It just takes a bit of know-how and a little confidence. Want to learn how to haggle like a pro? Follow these tips:
Don’t make an offer that's too low. If the vendor is selling an item for $50, don’t offer $10. When you make a lowball offer like that, it’s insulting. It's also an indication that you’re not a serious buyer.
Vendors set prices based on their expenses. That can include shipping, storage, handling, and appraisal fees. And if they’re at a flea market, they also have to rent booth space.
Sellers expect to haggle, but be reasonable. If they ask for $50, offer a little more than half, say about $30 to $35, and negotiate from there.
Never blurt out an offer. Before making any offer, ask the vendor what they’re selling an item for, and then make your offer. If you blurt out a price that’s higher than what the vendor had in mind for a discount, they’ll never come down below your first offer.
Ask for discounts. If you think that an item is overpriced, ask if they’re offering any discounts or ask how low they’re willing to go on the price. This way, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a serious, potential buyer and they’ll be more likely to give you a break on the price.
If you want it bad enough, buy it. If you see something that you think you might like to have, but the seller seems reluctant to come down on the price, walk away and come back later in the day to see if the seller will change her mind. But on the other hand, if you find a
rare collectible, a valuable antique or something you just absolutely love, then don’t waste time haggling if the price is at least within reason. If you have spotted a rare find or something that’s eye catching, someone else has probably spotted it too, and they’ll swing by snap it up while you’re off playing hard to get.
Stay late. Often vendors at yard sales, garage sales and flea markets are more willing to lower their prices at the end of the day so they don’t have to repack so many items. Therefore, it sometimes pays to hang around until the end of the event to haggle for lower prices.
Look for signs of damage. When shopping for antiques, look over each piece for any obvious signs of damage. When an item is damaged, you have more room to haggle. However, if the item is a rare collectible, the condition may be less important. Look at it as an investment and pay what the seller asks.
Don’t be afraid to walk away. If you can’t get the seller to agree to the price that you want to pay, walk away. But if you find an item that’s rare or something that you really want, then don’t give up. Keep negotiating to see how low the seller is willing to go on the price. But don’t go into debt. If you can’t pay the asking price, then it's not meant to be. Walk away.
Follow the Golden Rule. When haggling, remember to stay calm. Be courteous. Be respectful. Be fair and honest. Follow the Golden Rule, and treat sellers the way you would want to be treated.
LaCheryl
Don’t make an offer that's too low. If the vendor is selling an item for $50, don’t offer $10. When you make a lowball offer like that, it’s insulting. It's also an indication that you’re not a serious buyer.
Vendors set prices based on their expenses. That can include shipping, storage, handling, and appraisal fees. And if they’re at a flea market, they also have to rent booth space.
Sellers expect to haggle, but be reasonable. If they ask for $50, offer a little more than half, say about $30 to $35, and negotiate from there.
Never blurt out an offer. Before making any offer, ask the vendor what they’re selling an item for, and then make your offer. If you blurt out a price that’s higher than what the vendor had in mind for a discount, they’ll never come down below your first offer.
Ask for discounts. If you think that an item is overpriced, ask if they’re offering any discounts or ask how low they’re willing to go on the price. This way, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a serious, potential buyer and they’ll be more likely to give you a break on the price.
If you want it bad enough, buy it. If you see something that you think you might like to have, but the seller seems reluctant to come down on the price, walk away and come back later in the day to see if the seller will change her mind. But on the other hand, if you find a
rare collectible, a valuable antique or something you just absolutely love, then don’t waste time haggling if the price is at least within reason. If you have spotted a rare find or something that’s eye catching, someone else has probably spotted it too, and they’ll swing by snap it up while you’re off playing hard to get.
Stay late. Often vendors at yard sales, garage sales and flea markets are more willing to lower their prices at the end of the day so they don’t have to repack so many items. Therefore, it sometimes pays to hang around until the end of the event to haggle for lower prices.
Look for signs of damage. When shopping for antiques, look over each piece for any obvious signs of damage. When an item is damaged, you have more room to haggle. However, if the item is a rare collectible, the condition may be less important. Look at it as an investment and pay what the seller asks.
Don’t be afraid to walk away. If you can’t get the seller to agree to the price that you want to pay, walk away. But if you find an item that’s rare or something that you really want, then don’t give up. Keep negotiating to see how low the seller is willing to go on the price. But don’t go into debt. If you can’t pay the asking price, then it's not meant to be. Walk away.
Follow the Golden Rule. When haggling, remember to stay calm. Be courteous. Be respectful. Be fair and honest. Follow the Golden Rule, and treat sellers the way you would want to be treated.
LaCheryl
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