Yesterday my husband and I purchased a new bed. We were using his full size bed that he had before we met, it was about 10 years old and with my back pain and his recent shoulder surgery it just wasn't doing the trick. We got a decent tax refund and decided to break down and get a new one. We got a top of the line queen size matress with a presidents day sale price, half off the box spring, free frame, free matress pad, free pillows, free delivery, free setup, and a lifetime warranty on the matress. Full, non-sale price for everything? $4000. Our price after it was all said and done? $1650.
We went in about an hour before closing time, were a nice friendly couple, looked at everything she showed us and kept going back to the expensive one (our luck haha) Asked her if she would run the prices for it. All I did was innocently mention that 'don't same places include frames and boxsprings in their price and not charge them seperately?' "Oh we can definately throw the frame in at no cost, we don't generally do the boxsprings though." 'Oh I could have sworn that they did. Hunny, didn't you get the boxspring free with the old bed?' (and he said "sure did" although I don't know at all if that's true or not haha) "I could give it to you for half off?" 'Really? That would be fantastic!" 'How much are those pillows you gave us to use? They're like a cloud' "Everyone loves them, I can include two of those also." "Thank you so much!"....and so it continued haha
The best advice I can give for getting lower prices, whether it be on major purchases, getting a sale price early or after it's ended, calling up to reduce cable, phone, utility bills, etc is to not at all be argumentative. You need to be stubborn, and firm on what you're looking to get, but you have to be friendly. If you get worked up or if you give off the vibe that you will take no for an answer....you're not going to get a good deal. Need a happy medium with the stubborness from extreme #1 and the happy demeanor from extreme #2. The two things are to not be afraid to walk away if they just aren't giving you what you want, and don't be afraid to talk to someone else. Calling up about bills you can nicely explain to the customer service rep what you want, they will usually tell you that they can't do it, ask to speak to a supervisor, and that's usually where you get your savings from. Larger purchases you've generally got lots of wiggle room if you're willing to play the game. Lots of times they need to bring in a manager or you may need to ask for one. With the mattress she called corporate to authorize taking the discount off the boxspring. Having prices/warranty info/installation fees/etc etc from competitors depending what you are looking for can cut you huge savings too. Places will match, will match and give you an additional percentage off, match and give you free extended warranties, additional goodies, etc etc.
Just be confident (fake it if you need to), happy and personable, and stick to what you want. A moment of silence if they offer you a discount can do wonders too. They'll see you're on the fence and sometimes will toss in a little extra something hoping to close it.
Buying something private sale? Even easier usually. Something you want for sale listed at $150? I can be there in an hour with $100 cash....be amazed how often that works haha
Karen
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Has anyone experienced big savings by haggling? Any suggestions at how to get better at it?
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