Sure you can haggle at a garage sale, everyone knows that. But at a big box retailer? It’s not as crazy as you think. After talking to haggling expert Mary Hunt, for the article “10 Tips for Haggling with A/V Retailers,” I decided to put the tips to use. Could I really get a better price on a TV just by asking for it? Would a salesperson throw in a free cable or maybe even a warranty? As Hunt says ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ Aside from being embarrassed, laughed at, and told to leave—I might just save money. After all, new gadgets, summer vacations and dinners out don’t grow on trees.
The first tip, Do Your Homework, is an easy one. I chose a 46-inch Sony Bravia V-series TV. Online, one big box store has it on sale for $1699 (original $1999) and another store has it for $1709. Both stores offer free shipping. However, the store selling it for $1709 has enticing add-on deals: 25% off Monster HDMI cables, 15% off surge protectors; and many of the TV deals offer 10% off qualifying Bose systems and TV stands. I jot down the details because I can definitely use these deals as bargaining tools.
I then check out the cheaper Sony S series, which is selling at both stores for $1599. It has 3 instead of 4 HDMI ports and a lower contrast ratio. I jot this down, too. It’s 1:00pm on a Tuesday, which is the perfect midday time according to the tip, Shop During Off-hours. Experts say it will increase my odds of getting a deal. I sure hope so.
Did I Mention My Budget?
As I walk into the store I call upon two more tips, Be Confident and Keep Your Cool. I feel confident because I’m armed with a lot of information. I keep my cool by not running directly to the product I want; the theory being that salespeople are always watching. I’m not sure about other stores—or other times of the day—but at 1:00pm on a Tuesday, no one except the security guard is watching, and I’m not sure he sees me.
There isn’t anyone—customers or salespeople—in the TV section. I find the TV I came for and am surprised to see the price: $1754, not the $1699 listed on the Web site. I make a mental note as I spy a salesperson headed my way. She asks if I need help. I explain I’m in the market for my first HDTV; I live in a small rental apartment, and I really like the 46-inch Sony, but it’s out of budget. “What do you think? Is this a good one?” I say, pointing to the Sony V-series TV. She responds: “Look at this.” We walk over to where the big TVs are and she points to a 52-inch Samsung that cost $3000. Hmmm. Did I mention my small apartment and my budget?
“I think that TV is bigger than my apartment” I joke. She launches into an explanation of 120Hz, which this TV has, opposed to 60Hz, which mine has. She’s obviously following a sales guidelines and I let her talk. As she finishes up, I tell her the TV is gorgeous but way too big for my apartment and this time I emphasize that the TV is over my budget. We walk back to the smaller TVs, where she points to a $2400 Samsung. I like it, I tell her, but I don’t want to spend more than $1600. She nods her head and I think I see a slight frown. Looks like she got it. Revealing Your Budget is one of the expert’s haggling tips, but I’m not sure it’s working for me.
I explain that it’s not just the TV I need but I have to get the HDMI cable and maybe a new TV stand. She brightens up and takes off across the store again. I get my second lesson that day. I learn that a 6-ft Monster cable will cost $100. I ask if they come in a shorter length, and she responds by showing me a line filtration box, the cheapest one starts at $199. I smile and say “I’m sorry, I’m on such a tight budget, I need to concentrate on the TV.” Be Polite is the golden rule of haggling and if I get anywhere with this sale it’s because I’m being nice, and not screaming “Hello?? Are you listening??”
Closing the Deal
I choose this opportunity to tell her that her store is offering the same TV online for $1699 instead of the $1754 listed in-store. I then throw in that her competitor’s Web site has great bundle deals on cables and surge protectors with the sale of a TV. I’m surprised she’s not more surprised. I quickly ask “Do you think I can get those same deals?” She says she isn’t authorized, but if I print out the Web pages, her manager would “probably most definitely” match the price. I want to clarify “probably most definitely”, so I repeat everything: “If I had printed out the page, I could get the same online deals, even on the cables that the competitor was offering?” She says yes. Note to self: Print out the proof of online bargains. Okay, I tell her I need to shop around some more. She volunteers that her store has a 60-day sales warranty on their price. She writes down the days/hours she works and hands me her card.
I leave the store feeling good, knowing that if I had printed out the Web sites’ pages, her manager would have honored the competitor’s deals on the Monster cable and I would get the TV for $1699, the online price, instead of the in-store price of $1754. It’s a savings of almost $75 (TV and cable). True, I still wound up paying more than my initial $1600 budget, but for my first haggle, I consider the trip a victory. On to the next store.
Operation Haggle, Take Two
No one notices when I walk into the next store at 2:00pm that same Tuesday. I wander over to the TVs, and find the Sony V-series selling for $1709, the same price that store is offering it online—and ten dollars more than its competitor. My goal is to get this TV for $1600, $109 less than the sale price. I immediately notice the store isn’t offering the bundle deal on Monster cables and surge protectors as it is online.
Hate to say it, but you are a terrible haggler. I was in Best Buy the other day and got $620 (price match + discount + gift card) off a new plasma TV and stand, without breaking much of a sweat. Go somewhere like Consumerist.com and you’ll find that the employees say what they told you (LIES) _all_the_time_.
About a year ago I tried using the “your website” line at Circuit City. But they claimed some of those deals truly are online only. Thus I had to go home and order the item (a home theatre system) online, then go back to the store. Same day. I also returned all the expensive Monster surge protectors and cables. Those are the biggest joke around. CC does offer great no interest deals though.
Ok, where to start. What did you accomplish?
You learned to print out competitors online deals before shopping? That’s a good start, but why not do what others have already stated…just be bold and admit you have 1600 dollars and you want to purchase that TV.
If they say no, take your business elsewhere. Don’t beat around the bush.
It’s that simple.
Finally, buy accessories (cables, UPS, surge) online.
Thanks for the fun article, Jennifer.
As southwick said, many people would never think to haggle with a salesperson at a nationwide retail chain. I found your tips to be very helpful.
Name:
Email:
Remember my personal information
Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please answer the question below:
Type the 2nd letter of the word "speaker":
Electronic House is now available in a digital edition. Learn more.
I love my Sunfire Ultimate receiver, however, I have a Denon 2808CI and the room… 
Stay up-to-date with home electronics. 
Weekly email offers tips, info and product news.
Get the content that's important to you.
Good article to get folks that are less informed in the A/V realm a leg up on the high priced and confusing sales tactics out there. Like many of us, HT enthusiasts I am one that does tons of research before I make a decision on a new addition to my HT. About 4 yrs ago I decided on a Mitsubishi silver plus RPTV most stores at the time were selling them around $2500, during my research I had gone to some of the big box stores, including Sears, BB, and Ultimate and a couple of the small A/V dealers in town, all with in 5 mi of my house. I have found with any of these stores it helps to first what I call “endear” yourself to a sales person. Find one that likes to talk, especially about themselves and their equipment etc. It is the finding common ground part of dealing with the public many miss the boat on. Long story short after a couple of weeks of “window shopping and talking, and armed with my print outs on the various store deals I settled on Ultimate. At the time Mitsu was offering a $200 rebate, but I told the salesmen I didnt want to deal with mailing it in and wondered if they wouldnt take the $200 off to make the sale. Immediately he said yes and would also honor the Sears price of $1900. I pointed out that Sears was offering a DVD player as a package deal a $100 value for free. They also told me no problem pick out one from this rack and I’ll throw it in too. Ultimates warranty is cheaper and longer than Sears so I bought one as well though normally I dont bother, but with newer tech and items over a grand I recommend it. The thing is I was in military uniform at the time as well it might have been an advantage and one must play all the Aces in your hand if you can. It also helps to bring your skeptical attractive wife along sometimes. I have found men seam weaker of will when she is around. Like I said play all the cards when you need to go all in. Of course they wanted to sell me cables HDMI wasnt the big thing yet it is now but DTV cables were so I got a 6’, a component and a new AV cable all Monster for 50% off and they threw in some of that Screen cleaner and a micron cloth for free. Add to that free delivery and I made out pretty darn good. All though they seamed a little sad when at check out they said well we can put this all on your Store Card and my wife says oh no we will pay cash, but the deal was already made. Final cost $1799. Not a bad deal saved over 600 bucks. So it does help to haggle and do your research!