ShopSmart reveals tips on how to talk down any price

YONKERS, NY – People will go out of their way to find a cheaper gallon of gas and clip coupons to lower grocery bills, but they often miss out on the really big savings. According to a report featured in the July 2008 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, the secret to saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on everything from furniture to flat screen TVs, is knowing how to ask for a better price. With the ability to compare prices online, retailers often expect customers to negotiate.

“In a recent reader poll, we found that nearly one in three women didn’t haggle because they were worried about looking foolish, but the golden rule is ‘always ask,’” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief, ShopSmart. “The first price is not necessarily the bottom line so, while asking for a deal can make some people squirm, those times when it works make up for any fleeting discomfort.” 

When to Find the Really Big Discounts

Appliances:  Because sales happen in January, stores are open to haggling in December. For refrigerators, snag sales and get discounts when new models arrive in May and June.

Furniture:  Always ask about upcoming sales which typically occur around Presidents’ Day and July 4, when stores need to make room for merchandise, or at the end of the month when store owners are balancing their books. Consumers should try to avoid purchasing furniture in the late fall, because stores are swamped with shoppers upgrading their homes for the holidays.

Clothing:  Make friends with salespeople so they will give you advance notice of sales. Shop at the end of the season, when stores need space for new inventory.

Hotel Rooms: Travelers can usually score a better rate if the reservation is booked far in advance to lock in the business.

Salons & Spas:  Consumers should call or visit a salon or spa during a slow period and negotiate a discount on services.

Cars:  The best times for shoppers to negotiate prices on cars are November and December – when sales are slow, late summer – when new models come out, or the end of any month – when salespeople are trying to meet sales quota.

TVs, Computers & Other Electronics: Shop for certain electronics during specific months in order to get a better deal – July or December for computers, January or March for TVs, and February or April for digital cameras.

How to Talk Down Any Price

Shoppers should never hesitate to haggle because the first price seen or heard isn’t necessarily the bottom line.  Here are some tips to help shoppers get started:

NEVER buy anything major without first researching prices.  Shoppers should check out price comparison sites such as www.bizrate.com, www.shopzilla.com, www.pricegrabber.com, and www.shopping.yahoo.com.  Also look through store ads and visit competing stores in the area.- knowing prices that a competitor is offering makes its easier to haggle.

ALWAYS decide what you’re willing to give up to get a better deal.  Shoppers who know what they can’t live without, can focus on what is important and use the other stuff as negotiating points.  For example, you may not need heated seats in a new car, but you must have rear speakers.

NEVER start with the price you’re willing to pay.  Starting at a lower price point allows room for maneuvering and gives shoppers a better chance of negotiating a price closer to what they want to pay.

ALWAYS try to get a break on something else if the salesperson won’t lower the price.  If the product requires delivery or installation, shoppers should ask for a deal on these services if the salesperson won’t budge on the price of the product.

NEVER give up.  Sellers need to make sales and you need to stay within your budget.  The worst that can happen is that someone says no.  At least you’ll know you’re not missing out on any discounts you could have nabbed.

About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and over a half a million copies of each issue are available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Target, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix.