Haggling for Dummies

A valuable lesson for all you consumers out there from behind the steep, dark and dirty coalface of retail.

Had a lady here last week that placed a fairly big order. I gave her a decent discount. It always pays to offer a discount in the long run as the discount given will be outweighed by the number of subsequent referrals received. Either give a discount or offer something as a bonus for a large order, that’s my general policy – but it does depend on the approach of whoever is looking for a better price.

On collecting her order she asked my name, which I gave her. She thanked me kindly and went on her way. She was happy, I was happy – all was good with the world.

Yesterday, she is back again looking for more of the same item and proceeded to look for further discount on the already good price given last week. I really didn’t want to go any lower and was set to stick to my guns.

To cut a long story short, this little old lady (for she was little, and old and said “love” a lot) managed to get the price down further. Possible Apprentice material I must say.

It was only after she went on her very merry way that I thought about how she had managed to get the price down further. And then it struck me. Her other favourite word (apart from “love”), was my name. She repeated it I don’t know how many times in her pleading for a lower price – and she did plead and implore me.

Oldest trick in the book, and I’d fallen for it. Proof that it does pay to use a persons name in any negotiating or haggling.

So be off out now, all steely eyed, determined, and Apprentice like as you shop this weekend and haggle for Ireland. Don’t forget to use names as your secret weapon..