I can't. And I know it. Never could. Why? Imponderable. For example, we went to look at a car to act as potential fill-in as our Explorer appeared ready to lock me out. I found this on Craig's List: 1994 GT, original paint, good shiny condition, 5.0L High-Output (trouble-free) engine, manual transmission, leather seats, Mach 460 Sound System, whatever that is, factory-optional big tires, 17" with 50% tread left, 160,000 miles. Turned out to be an old guy, but younger than me, wife died within the past year, asking $2400, which I thought given the condition and test drive was quite reasonable. Possibly something wrong, but hidden. I crawled underneath as well as I could, saw no leaks. My wife took me aside, and said don't buy it. I decided the price was too good to pass up but being Slavic, I asked him if he would take $2200: instead answer, "yes". If another buyer was standing there offering $3000 I would have gone higher......... We took it home two years ago. I'm quite pleased with it. I know how the psychology of buying and selling works, but when I make up my mind, I'm done bartering. Same thing if I'm selling: offered a reasonable amount less, I feel compelled to take it, rather than risk the buyer "walking". Can you drive a hard bargain? I seem unable to. Frank
Yes, I can. I learned how to shop in the bazaars of Istanbul. If you can stand yourself after being told soulfully that you are starving the merchant's wife, seven children and dying mother, you can drive a bargain anywhere...….
@Mary Robi Gosh! I can hardly stand myself having been presented with far less remorseful news than that! Frank
I have found that I cannot bargain with a woman. Years of training by my wife, I guess.... If I go to buy a vehicle or anything else of significant value and I see that a woman is selling it, I have to walk away to avoid allowing myself to be ripped off.
Nope. I don't enjoy it. Not worth it to me to get upset. I learned how to deal with car salesmen by accident from a Toyota dealer one time long ago. I didn't like the car I test drove, but didn't say anything to him one way or the other, just left. They kept calling me for a week, each time with a better deal. I never did take that Toyota.
I'm not one to be 'taken in' - never fall for any jargon, I'm way ahead of them Yet - I haven't a competitive bone in my body, you think the two would mix, not for me
Tell me then please..because I've shopped in the Bazaars of Istanbul many times, got a few bob off, but never anything substantial... I'm obviously useless at bartering and bargaining, tell me how you do it in Istanbul..
My daughter OTOH... is the bargaining genius of the world...she will get anything for next to nothing..
I can get a fairly good deal when there is a chance to bargain or barter but Yvonne? Sheesh ! By the time my wife gets finished with a seller, I am absolutely positive they need a really stiff drink just to help figure out what just happened.
Years ago we were in the market for a new wagon. We'd decided on make, model, color, etc. We went to a dealer and when we told the salesman what we wanted, he said they didn't make the vehicle in the color combination that we wanted. My wife, who's car it was, said do want to sell me a car? The salesman said yes and she then said make it in the colors I want. The order was then placed.
No, can't say I drive a hard bargain. Back when I learned negotiating skills, it was stressed it's much better if both sides walk a way feeling good about the transaction, that both feel good about the deal rather than one side feeling he got a heck of a bargain and the other feeling rather cheated or was taken advantage of. No, I'm a pushover.
The key is, "be willing to walk away." And for large purchases, do your homework before negotiating. Yes, I'm the "dealer" in this family.
Sale, clearence, going out of business, last one in stock, make me an offer are magnets to me but garage sales, flea markets are like honey - so sweet when it comes to haggling. I love it!!! I know how much money I have, got an idea on how much I can get it for having done some researvh and definitely can walk away with no second thoughts or regrets. It's all about my mindset at accepting 'They can only say no.'