ABCs OF HAGGLING

ABC's of Haggling

A PAIN IN THE.......GUT?

I is for Instinct.

Do you listen to your instincts? Instinct fuels your “gut feeling.” When your “gut” tells you something, do you think it’s just a pain in the gut and ignore it? I find that most people do and I think the younger you are, the least likely you are to follow your instincts. Why is that?

When you’re young you don’t have the experience on which to base your instincts; the same goes for your haggling skills. Instinct and haggling go hand in hand. The better your instinct, the better the haggle. Sure, you can haggle without instinct, but then you’re taking a gamble. Take it from a famous gambler; you got to “know when to hold them, know when to fold them." How are you going to “know” unless instinct kicks in to help?

They say with age comes wisdom. Well, I know that to be true. I’ve gained some wisdom over the years. ;^) Experiences through trial and error hone your life skills. Most of us live and learn. Learning brings the wisdom that brings the instinct. Instinct is that other little voice in your head telling you something. Something like, “No, that price is too high for that” or “Don’t give up, keep haggling” or “You know what that’s really worth.”

When you’re haggling with a merchant, is he/she being upfront with you? Is the price they are counter-offering fair? Is the item worth it? Can you press the merchant a little harder to get a better price?

All these questions and more will race through your mind when haggling, or at least they should. Here’s where your instinct should take over and help you make your next move, hopefully, the right move to a successful haggle.

Instinct also helps you read the “signals” you get from your haggle opponent. Like......are they being receptive to your haggle tactics? Can you read their body language? What are these “signals” telling you?

Well, no one can be 100% accurate about these things; that’s why we should rely on our instinct. It’s the next best thing!

When haggling your instinct should tell you whether you’re making any progress with your opponent. The haggling exchange between you two should be slow and easy and enjoyable. Is the merchant giving you short, abrupt responses with an annoyed and pained look on his face? That’s a big “signal” to tell you to “cut your losses” right about now because you won’t be successful dealing with that merchant. Instinct or not, it’s pretty obvious that haggling is better saved for another day or at least for another merchant.

How about this? Is what the merchant telling you about the item true and accurate? It’s unbelievable what some merchants will tell you so that you will make a purchase. Some merchants are banking on the fact that you don’t know enough about what you want and how much you should pay for it. Don’t let them “get one over on you.” Arm yourself with the information and tactics you need to have a successful haggle. And don’t forget to bring along your “instinct”.........it’s a wonderful shopping buddy! Haggle on!

Want to share some of your haggle stories here? Have a question about a haggle disaster or an upcoming haggle? I’d love to hear about it! Shoot me an e-mail at contact@mywherehaus.com and I’ll post your stories or questions here, if you like. Together we can hone your skills and come out winning!

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