16 Ways To Make Haggling Work for You

by Gary Foreman

You don’t need to be at a foreign market to successfully haggle your way to a bargain. Just use these tips to make haggling work for you to get a better deal on just about anything.

It happens in markets and stores all around the world. Buyers and sellers haggle over prices. Sometimes they succeed and a deal is struck. Other times, the buyer walks away empty handed.

Here in the States, dickering over a purchase is often confined to yard sales and flea markets. But, there’s no reason that you can’t apply your haggling skills to any potential purchase. Not only will you find that you get greater value for your dollar, but also you might decide that shopping is more fun with a little friendly negotiation.

Try these 16 ways to make haggling work for you:

1. Research before you shop.

Know something about the manufacturer, product, and competing products. Decide in advance which features are important to you. 

2. Have a target price.

Know what other stores and websites charge for the same or similar items. Decide on a good price before you begin negotiations. Aim for a great price, but know what price you’d be willing to accept.

3. Don’t insult the seller.

You can make an offer that’s so low that the seller thinks you’re not serious. That will shut down negotiations before they begin. Typically you’ll want to start just a little lower than your target price.

4. Be willing to hear No.

Not every attempt to haggle will be welcomed. Sometimes you’ll be rebuffed. Don’t take it personally. You haven’t lost anything by trying.

5. Look for damage.

Whether it’s clothing or a refrigerator, even minor damage should mean a lower price. (See How to Find Good Deals on Scratch and Dent Appliances.)

6. Don’t be desperate.

Don’t allow yourself to fall in love with an item before you begin to haggle. A desperate buyer has few tools to motivate the seller. And experienced salespeople can spot an anxious buyer a mile away.

7. Have cash in your pocket.

Using cash to pay for your purchase adds about 1% to the seller’s profit margin. Let the seller know that you’re willing to pay cash. (See 10 Reasons to Use a Cash-Only Spending Plan.)

8. Timing is everything.

Most sellers are more willing to deal when an item is going out of season, out of style, or out of model year. If you can help the seller reduce unwanted inventory, you can increase the value of any offer you make.

9. Timing is everything (part 2).

The calendar can be your friend. Sometimes salespeople or a store are under a monthly quota. There may be other financial advantages for them to complete a sale this month, so deals may be a little sharper near the deadline. (See Become a Blackbelt in Smart Seasonal Shopping.)

10. Make it easy on the seller.

You’ll have more leverage if you’re ready to take possession now and take the item with you. Let the seller know that’s your plan. The phrase “I can take it with me today” can be a great lever.

11. Find a willing partner.

If a salesperson tells you they cannot change prices, politely ask if there’s someone in the store that can. A manager or store owner might be just the person you need to negotiate a deal.

12. Help the salesperson to like you.

Treat them with respect. Compliment them if they deserve it. They’ll cut a better deal with someone they like.

13. Change the subject.

If you can’t haggle on price, perhaps you can get an accessory thrown in or free delivery.

14. Be willing to ask for help.

Sometimes it will seem like you don’t have enough money to get what you want. Tell the salesperson what you want and ask if there’s any way to get it. They might share a creative solution.

15. Be prepared to walk.

Walking away from a salesperson is a great motivator. Often you’ll hear them come up with one last offer.

16. Keep it light.

Haggling isn’t warfare. If you approach it with a sense of humor, the salesperson is likely to join you. Two people having fun haggling are more likely to come to a mutually agreeable price.

• Barter Your Way to Some of Life’s Luxuries
• Master the Art of Haggling (and Get Comfortable Doing It)
• 6 Tactics to Winning a Price Negotiation

Reviewed September 2022

About the Author

Gary Foreman is the former owner and editor of The Dollar Stretcher. He's the author of How to Conquer Debt No Matter How Much You Have and has been featured in MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, The Nightly Business Report, US News Money, Credit.com and CreditCards.com.