Still, when it comes to bargains, there seems no substitute for good old-fashioned gumption. Most people would never dream of going into an electronics store and bartering over the price of that digital camera they've always wanted. Which may mean that those who do automatically gain an upper hand.
When it comes to haggling, Tim Kassouf, who works for Towson-based G.1440, an Internet technology firm, insists, "Man, I'm your guy. That's all I ever do." Recently, he even went to Target and bartered over the cost of a TV stand, eventually persuading the manager to knock $20 off the price.
"About 90 percent of the time, you're going to get some sort of discount," he says with a noticeable sense of triumph. "I don't think most people understand that ... the price is an offer. It's not set in stone."
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL HAGGLING
Know what you want, and be firm If you go in with a specific make and model number in mind, don't settle for something else. Stick to your guns, don't be dissuaded by assurances that another make or model is "just as good."
Don't be afraid to ask Just like in basketball, if you don't put up the shot, you're never going to make a basket.
Ask to see a supervisor If a salesperson can't give you a discount, maybe his boss can.
Learn as much as you can before going in Know what "megabytes" and "pixels" and all those other electronic words mean, know what you need and know how much you can afford.
Be prepared to call their bluff Haggling is a poker game, and bluffs can be called on both sides. When retailers assure you they've gone as low on the price as possible, and it's still not low enough, be prepared to walk. Don't be in a hurry. Negotiating takes time, and patience.
Check the supply The larger the supply on hand, the lower most retailers will go on the price. Most stores have plenty of big-screen TVs, not so many iPhones.
