TTD (Things To Do): If you Want to Haggle on the High Street.

1. It’s got to be worth them (the shop/hotel..) haggling. You are unlikely to get a discount on your Starbucks cappuccino as there is another customer along in 23 seconds; in the bigger picture your business is neither here nor there. But you might on your cashmere jumper as there may not be another customer for the pink in large, today.

2. It’s got to be worth you haggling. Are you willing to walk away if you don’t get that extra 5% off the camera? Or lose face and pay up? Are you willing to put in some time to build a bond and make them reluctant to lose the sale after all the time they have put in?

3. Get good pre-info. If there is hard evidence that you can bring along in the form of  data e.g. prices of that model camera in other shops in the neighbourhood,  all well and good.

4. Be friendly and build a relationship by asking about the camera etc.,

5. Try and give a reason for the discount, such as you are buying a tie as well as the shirt, a memory stick as well as the basic camera.

6. Ask for discount and wait.

7. If you get a no, it’s worth asking again.

8. And if/when you get it: thank them. And don’t tell all your friends.