To haggle?

[Vinomcstephens]

I am soooo British when it comes to money

I'm getting married next year and have been getting quotes for all the usual bits and pieces (flowers, invites etc) and I am definitely one of those who just goes "that's your bill? Well then I'll pay it!" whereas my DP is very much of the "how much???? Reduce it by at least half or you'll never get my business!" school of thought. I've had a couple of quotes that I think are very reasonable if perhaps at the higher end of the budget and DP is determined to get me haggling, since I'd pretty much rather gouge out my eyeballs than do it!

So what are the thoughts of you ladies? Do you haggle? Should I? I just have this mortal fear of offending people and wouldn't have a clue where to start!

So I guess I'm asking AIBU to even consider politely requesting a reduction in price??

If he wants to do it then why isn't he? Why is he getting you to do it?

If I'm buying something expensive, e.g. dishwasher or computer, then I haggle. I normally get around £70-ish off. It helps if you start with the assumption that the seller will say no and anything money off is a bonus.

cece to be fair he would do it, and take great pleasure in it, but I think he's a teeny bit too abrupt and I don't want my pretty things to disappear into the ether when the person quoting takes umbrage!

fatherhanktree so if you ask, and the vendor says no, would you then just pay what they want?

I can't believe I am getting so strung out over what must be the most trivial matter in the world.....!

Me and dh are the same as you, so I find what I like, then send him in. On our wedding he haggled for everything but it saved us about 4k in total. Money I prefer in my pocket to theirs.

Vino when they said no, I said 'OK, I'll take my business elsewhere' or words to that effect. It works most of the time.

It's not trivial, haggling doesn't seem a very British pastime. Maybe you should watch the haggling scene from Life of Brian

can't bear haggling and am bad at it - as much as i want money off stuff

DH is getting better at it as he gets meaner older so i let him do it

it's the british in me too for sure - just feels wrong to me but i'm sure i pay too much for some things because of it

Nothing wrong with trying to negotiate a bit - especially when money is tight.

Be polite, be realistic, you don't have to get all het up about it - use email or the phone if face to face is a bit intimidating.

eg

Thank you for the quote for x, I really like what you are offering but the price is just a bit above my budget. Is there anyway you could lower the price?

I look forward to hearing from you and hope we will be able to work together

etc

If they lower the price you are quids in, if not and you still want it you just ssay you have juggled your budget so you can afford it. That way you don't burn your bridges

I do haggle when I can. No need to be rude.

Just say something like,
"I really like what you are doing (say with their flowers). But I really was only looking to spend x on my flowers. Is there any movement in the price at all please as I'd really like to be able to give you my business?" Smile and stay quiet.

"or is there anything you can do about the price? I have been quoted £50 cheaper from another florist for a similar design. However, I'd really like to give you my business so could you match their price at all?"

Well normally I'd say a big, tactful depends but, everything with the word or possible association of 'wedding' attached has its price doubled, so it's quite reasonable to ask not to be utterly ripped off, which is generally the alternative.

Oooh some great ideas here - thank you! And I'm reassured to see that I'm not the only who gets the heebie jeebies at the thought of (gulp) asking for money off! Thank you all for your replies

I'm definitely gong to dip my toe into the world of haggling via email - there's no way I could do it face to face - but I'm sat here thinking maybe I could actually do it - yikes!