Years ago, an older friend taught me a price reduction technique that has served well. It's based on
extreme stalling, remaining
100% positive, introducing
no interpersonal conflict, and paying
only your selected price.
- decide what you will pay and resolve to go no higher
- reserve at least an hour or two or three for the haggle
- say only nice things about the object
- closely inspect all flaws while remaining silent
- continue making positive comments even if you must repeat
- continue inspecting all flaws but stay silent
- vaguely agree with seller when he/she comments on object
- when pressed for decision say you like object and only issue is price
- if asked to name price, think about it at length
- when asked again, say don't want to insult seller
- continue making positive comments
- continue inspecting all flaws but stay silent
- when again pressed to decide, ask if your price is insulting
- agree that any counter price is reasonable but too high for you
- continue repeating positive comments
- continue inspecting all flaws but staying silent
- if seller gives higher price as take-or-leave agree that is entirely reasonable but regretfully too high for you
- continue making positive comments
- continue inspecting all flaws but stay silent
- make no move to leave
Most of the time you leave having paid your price.