How good are your haggling skills?

[Jeff AMN]

I've been offered an original and pristine condition Robotron 2084 for $800. Normally I'd say that was too much, but this guy has owned it since 1983. This means it's been taken care of and babied for a long time. However, with prices dropping, I still think I should be able to work that price down.

So, how good are you at haggling down prices? Are you usually successful at getting a significant discount from the asking price? Any particular success stories that you're proud of?

[Crax]

Thats pretty crazy that he has had it for that long.  Have you had a chance to play it yet?  There must be something wrong with it you could notice and mention to him when asking for it cheaper.

[SithMaster]

I haggled a 10 dollar desk down to 5.  For the cab just find an ebay auction and cite the price it sold for.  tell him it hasnt been vandalized so its lost value since its not arcade authentic.

[Jeff AMN]

He said he's getting rid of it because of a divorce (poor guy), so I figure there's plenty of other things he's selling off. He's going to be sending over a bunch of pictures and additional info tonight and I'll know more about it.

[horseboy]

I've talked people down a bit in the past. Dude wanted $900 for Star Wars, I got it for $450. Dude wanted $500 for Space Invaders, it's in my garage now for $200.

My wife is good as well. She wanted this dog for $400. I told her that if she could talk them down to $200, we would get it. I didn't even think she would call, but now I have a dog.

[ChadTower]

Yep, it's very individual.  I've gotten people way down, there have been times I haven't even tried because the asking price was already good, and some where I was completely unsuccessful because the seller wouldn't budge. 

It's funny, some people won't buy at all if they can't haggle it down, even if the price is already good.  I've seen guys walk away from really good buys because they couldn't have it even cheaper.   

[ahofle]

He said he's getting rid of it because of a divorce (poor guy),

 
I thought that's the perfect time to get MORE arcade cabinets!

[Jeff AMN]

He said he's getting rid of it because of a divorce (poor guy),

 
I thought that's the perfect time to get MORE arcade cabinets!

Maybe she's afraid that she'll get it in the settlement and it will eventually end up in the wrong hands...who knows what's up. Maybe she's getting the house.

[RayB]

... or she has a really good lawyer.

[Loki]

I always haggle when it's about a lot of money, also with new products from the shop like TV's or expensive clothing like leather jackets or shoes.
With second hand items it's easier because there can be some damage or aging, so I can often get the price down.

You just have to look very interested in the item but act like you can barely afford it.

[FrizzleFried]

...$800?  Damn...if it were only $500 I could pull it off,  but with the baby coming and my wife losing her job....<pause>....I just don't think I can swing it. <pause>

(the pauses are the key)...many times they will come back with...

"I'll give it to ya for $700" at which time you bust out with the "$600 and it's a done deal...even though my wife is going to kick ---my bottom---!"

...I can't count how many times I have used the threat of my wife kicking ---my bottom--- to get something.

[Tahnok]

[...] there have been times I haven't even tried because the asking price was already good,[...]

I always haggle, regardless. Why not try to get it even cheaper? It makes for a good story anyway...

Though, I would never walk away because someone doesn't want to budge on a price that's already good.

And yes, I consider myself an OK haggler. I pull all the tricks (pointing out flaws, purposely not having enough money on me, having money in the wrong denominations, etc). Even an extra few bucks helps cover gas on longer trips.

[menace]

I sell used tv's on craigslist and I've seen every haggler in the book--those guys that come and say they don't have enough money--I generally laugh as to drive home the point that this particular tactic is pretty lame then point them to the nearest atm.  Its amazing how many guys find 20-50 dollars in their car    I was selling a pinball machine listed at 550 (willing to takje 500) so buddy shows up after driving close to an hr and says he only has 450 on him--tell him geez pal if you could get another 60 bucks this deal would happen--amazingly it was in his car seat--man wish i had car seats like that 

There is also the guy that says he'll give me 50-75% off of asking price in such a manner as to make it sound like he's doing me a favour--I generally just hang up.  i set prices to be haggled down but man some people think they are gods gift to haggling!

[(+_+)]

Can you set up a face to face with the guy or are you buying on faith. You can always swing a better deal when your right in front of the person with the money in hand. At any rate, I'd say you can at least get 100 bucks off. Give him a song and dance about how much you love the game. Tell him about this these 2 guys, one of which you know, who can roll the machine playing one hand each (I'm one of those guys). I just say go for it.

[koolmoecraig]

Maybe I'm just different, but if the price is fair($800 is MORE than fair for a Robotron that's been in the same home for almost 25 years if you ask me.  If it's in good condition OF COURSE!) then I'm fine paying it, Especially if the guy is struggling.

Example: I recently found an Intellivision for sale with a bunch of games on craigslist(no relation) for $60.  I talked the lady down to $30 over the phone.  When I went to pick it up I could tell that things were tough for her.  I gave her $100.

I'm not saying I'm an angel or that you are doing anything wrong, but I just don't subscribe to taking advantage of someone else's hardship for my benefit.  Think of the Karma

[Xam]

I'm not real good at haggling. I do know most people (especially on CL) set the price a bit higher than what they actually want...becuase they know people love to haggle. I do the same...if I want $5.00 for an item, I market it at $7.00.

I did recently get a new freezer for $140 instead of the asking $177 at Sam's.

Most people just love the sport of haggling.

Xam

[ChadTower]

I always haggle, regardless. Why not try to get it even cheaper? It makes for a good story anyway...

Because sometimes you're in the right place at the right time and the best course of action is to show up with cash and vehicle and not rock the boat.  If you're first in line with 10 people behind you, you're not in a spot to haggle.  This happens a lot with games and especially with pins.

[Buddabing]

This reminds me of a scene from Die Hard 2:

Marvin
I found it (special encrypted radio) on the floor, by the coat, next to the luggage belt.
What the hell are you so excited about that for?

McClane
The code is still punched into that one.

Marvin
You like it, then? How about you give me 20$ for it?

McClane
How about I let you live?

Marvin
Man knows how to bargain.

[Tahnok]

I always haggle, regardless. Why not try to get it even cheaper? It makes for a good story anyway...

Because sometimes you're in the right place at the right time and the best course of action is to show up with cash and vehicle and not rock the boat.  If you're first in line with 10 people behind you, you're not in a spot to haggle.  This happens a lot with games and especially with pins.

Yeah, actually, you're right. I wasn't really thinking about games in particular. I've had instances where the price of a cab goes up from the original asking price due to competition. Still though, I don't see any reason to not haggle when it's not a situation like that (where you aren't haggling simply because it's already a good deal).

[TOK]

I wondered how much he was asking for that. I live less than an hour from him.

[acevedor2]

I have sold lots of things where people try to haggle.  I don't generally budge.  I do this because I feel the prices I set are more than fair.  It's just like was said above, some people don't feel right unless they haggle you down.

I had one lady at a garage sale try to haggle me on a gas grill I was selling.  I was selling it for $20 with a full tank of propane!  The tank of propane alone was worth that much.  The only  thing wrong with the grill (which was 1 year old and originally cost $150) was that it needed a new $7 grate available from Home Depot.  She kept trying to get me down, even coming back at the end of the garage sale and saying "well since it hasn't sold yet can I get it now for 15"

I told her I would rather take a sledgehammer to it than to let you steal it!  I ended up giving it to goodwill.    I guess I would rather give something away for a cause than to a cheap bastard!!

[koolmoecraig]

I told her I would rather take a sledgehammer to it than to let you steal it!  I ended up giving it to goodwill.    I guess I would rather give something away for a cause than to a cheap bastard!!

Bravo!!!!

That's EXACTLY my attitude.  Is there anything on this earth worse than a cheap person?

The only thing more fulfilling would have been if you actually smashed it in front of her.

[shorthair]

Yeah, that's bad. You shoulda sold the grill and all for $50.

I've been selling various things, lately, often through Craigs List. The other day, a kid came to check out a hiking pack. I ad'd for $130 obo. He said he really wanted it for $80-90.  I laughed inwardly; it was only used twice, cleaned after each use, and almost immaculate. You wouldn't EVEN know it was 6 years old. I said I thought it was worth at least $100. "Try it on. Adjust it..."...that got him. He caved in.

Then, today, I was selling a cordless phone for ten bucks. They're still selling this model for $20-25, but this guy says, '..well, that's the thing, Circuit City is having their sale', not for the same unit, but something similar for $20...and he wanted me to cut him a deal - his words. I said I thought it was worth $10 and it depended on if he thought it was worth his time coming out here an all. He caved in, too.

[TOK]

Is it really worth dealing with an internet weirdo for $10?

[horseboy]

Is it really worth dealing with an internet weirdo for $10?

No

[leapinlew]

From what I've seen - the rummage sale people have discovered craigslist. Everyone wants to haggle the price, regardless of how low it starts.

[fixedpigs]

From what I've seen - the rummage sale people have discovered craigslist. Everyone wants to haggle the price, regardless of how low it starts.

one word...'firm'...

or 'non-negotiable'...

 

[SavannahLion]

I told her I would rather take a sledgehammer to it than to let you steal it!  I ended up giving it to goodwill.    I guess I would rather give something away for a cause than to a cheap bastard!!

That's EXACTLY my attitude.  Is there anything on this earth worse than a cheap person?

A cheap ass relative.

[ChadTower]

Relatives that ask you to front money for something for them because they are not physically present and then refuse to pay after they get what they wanted.  I've had that happen too many times.

[shorthair]

Relatives that ask you to front money for something for them because they are not physically present and then refuse to pay after they get what they wanted.  I've had that happen too many times.

Firm, yeah. And, in my case, the $10 deal was in person. But, for the above, the word 'boundaries' comes to mind. I've been fortunate to not be bothered with having this kind of relative...but, as idiosyncratic as I am, and having firm boundaries, users aren't even attracted to me.

[ChadTower]

Yeah, I usually won't front money like that anymore, except to a very small list of people.  Got burned too many times by people that shouldn't have been that way.