Comments on: NYT: Feel free to haggle down the price of your next HDTV http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/ Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:49:52 -0500 hourly 1 By: Bryan http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/comment-page-1/#comment-650240 Bryan Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:40:10 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/#comment-650240 I am one of the retail employees mentioned in the article. Although the idea of haggling is nothing new, it is definitely getting worse. It seems like every week I get two or three more customers asking "What's the best you can do?" I understand wanting to pay the lowest price, and I'm not opposed to asking a retailer to match the price of the competition. But when did it become acceptable to expect a business to change the price of an item just because you would be willing to spend your money? Every day I run into customers demanding that I take money off the TV, laptop, or digital camera that the customer is looking at. Or expect me to throw in one or more items for free. Have people forgotten that companies like Best Buy, HH Gregg, and Circuit City are trying to make money? That's why prices are set at the level they are. I understand that the economy is down and money is tight. Feel free to shop around and find the lowest price possible. If you find a lower price, ask me if I'm willing to match it. 9 times out of 10, I will. Those times I can't match it completely, I'll get close or find a substitute. But don't demand that I lower a price just because you don't want to pay that much. If you can't afford it, save your money till you can. Where does it stop? Are these same people asking for lower prices on apples at the grocery store? How about gas prices? Maybe call the post office and demand a lower price on stamps? Maybe call the New York Times and tell them your only willing to pay 35 cents for their paper. Call me naive if you want. I know this is not a new practice or one that will disappear anytime soon. I'm just wondering when it crosses the line of smart shopping and becomes rude and abusive. I am one of the retail employees mentioned in the article. Although the idea of haggling is nothing new, it is definitely getting worse. It seems like every week I get two or three more customers asking “What’s the best you can do?”
I understand wanting to pay the lowest price, and I’m not opposed to asking a retailer to match the price of the competition. But when did it become acceptable to expect a business to change the price of an item just because you would be willing to spend your money? Every day I run into customers demanding that I take money off the TV, laptop, or digital camera that the customer is looking at. Or expect me to throw in one or more items for free. Have people forgotten that companies like Best Buy, HH Gregg, and Circuit City are trying to make money? That’s why prices are set at the level they are.
I understand that the economy is down and money is tight. Feel free to shop around and find the lowest price possible. If you find a lower price, ask me if I’m willing to match it. 9 times out of 10, I will. Those times I can’t match it completely, I’ll get close or find a substitute. But don’t demand that I lower a price just because you don’t want to pay that much. If you can’t afford it, save your money till you can.
Where does it stop? Are these same people asking for lower prices on apples at the grocery store? How about gas prices? Maybe call the post office and demand a lower price on stamps? Maybe call the New York Times and tell them your only willing to pay 35 cents for their paper.
Call me naive if you want. I know this is not a new practice or one that will disappear anytime soon. I’m just wondering when it crosses the line of smart shopping and becomes rude and abusive.

]]> By: Michael http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/comment-page-1/#comment-622894 Michael Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:15:35 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/#comment-622894 I wish I knew this when I purchased that home theater in a box a month or so ago, I dropped nearly $300 on it and if I could get a few bucks off of it I think it would have been a much easier purchase. I wish I knew this when I purchased that home theater in a box a month or so ago, I dropped nearly $300 on it and if I could get a few bucks off of it I think it would have been a much easier purchase.

]]> By: Mike http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/comment-page-1/#comment-621985 Mike Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:07:24 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/#comment-621985 J & R is always good with bargaining. Especially, if you're buying a few things. I never try the big stores. Just do your research on the product and have a good poker face. J & R is always good with bargaining. Especially, if you’re buying a few things. I never try the big stores. Just do your research on the product and have a good poker face.

]]> By: Chet http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/comment-page-1/#comment-621908 Chet Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:17:02 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/03/24/nyt-feel-free-to-haggle-down-the-price-of-your-next-hdtv/#comment-621908 Oh, I can see this leading down a very ugly path... If you're buying something of quality, there is generally some margin dollars in that product, and you can very often negotiate a better price, especially if you're purchasing a package that includes accessories, etc. However, if you're buying the cheapest item you can find, don't expect any further discounting. Those super-cheap items that you saw in Sunday's ad are nearly always being sold below cost to begin with, and are just offered to drive traffic into retail stores. You're not going to talk anyone down on a $29 DVD player or a $499 laptop. Keep your expectations in check, and conduct yourself like a professional. I think that's the best advice you can get when asking for a discount. Happy bargain hunting! Oh, I can see this leading down a very ugly path…

If you’re buying something of quality, there is generally some margin dollars in that product, and you can very often negotiate a better price, especially if you’re purchasing a package that includes accessories, etc.

However, if you’re buying the cheapest item you can find, don’t expect any further discounting. Those super-cheap items that you saw in Sunday’s ad are nearly always being sold below cost to begin with, and are just offered to drive traffic into retail stores. You’re not going to talk anyone down on a $29 DVD player or a $499 laptop.

Keep your expectations in check, and conduct yourself like a professional. I think that’s the best advice you can get when asking for a discount. Happy bargain hunting!

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