Negotiate Fair Prices Without Offending The Seller When Buying Used Goods
In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and strategies for how to ask for a lower price when negotiating so that you can feel confident and prepared the next time you're in a bargaining situation.
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Negotiating the price of a product or service can be an uncomfortable task.
It's not easy to ask for a lower price without feeling like you're being rude or pushy.
However, negotiating can be a valuable skill to have, especially when it comes to making big and small purchases alike.
Learning how to negotiate effectively can save you a significant amount of money and help you get the best possible deal.
Are you doing some marketplace shopping? Are you looking to find the best deal that you can? Of course you are! We are all looking to get the best deal that we can on the things that we want and you can do just that when you learn how to negotiate or haggle if you will.
One of the ways that I have found to get the things that I want at a lower cost is by buying online, used. Places like the Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up and Craigslist are great for finding local deals.
My parents found this File Cabinet we upcycled online and we made it good as new for a minimal cost.
If haggling prices make you nervous, that’s ok! Whether you are nervous to ask, or just don’t want to offend the seller, don’t worry, I am happy to help you learn the best ways to do it!
5 Tips On How To Negotiate Fair Prices Without Offending The Seller
Be Reasonable When Negotiating
You really never know how low someone is willing to go, but if the seller is asking $100 for an item, there’s a safe chance that they aren’t willing to drop it to $10.
An ask that low will likely offend them. A good rule of thumb I found somewhere is to start at 50% off for in-person shopping like at a yard sale. But when shopping online via FB marketplace, OfferUp, etc, starting with 65% or higher is a good rule of thumb.
If You Don’t Have the Money, Don’t Offer It
There is nothing more frustrating to a seller than dealing with someone who has no intention of actually buying an item.
If they are asking $100 for an item and you only have $10 to spend, shop elsewhere. Really, don’t bother.
Something to remember with online marketplace type shopping (FB, OfferUp, Letgo, etc) is that sellers have your name and they can easily choose to blacklist you from any future sales.
Ask For a Lower Price
One thing I heard to be very helpful when negotiating prices is to ask the seller this simple question. “What is your bottom dollar?” Some people will tell you.
Many people post items for sale at a higher price than they are willing to accept. When you start your negotiating this way, there really isn’t any haggling to be done because they are already telling you what their bottom offer is.
Sometimes it works. But there will undoubtedly be times that it won’t.
Be Friendly
In sales as with most other parts of life, you are always going to go further by being friendly.
Make sure to smile and be kind. Don’t be afraid to chat with the seller and make conversation. I once witnessed a person at a yard sale spend over an hour just visiting with the seller buying an item. The seller then offered them a $500 item for just $35 because he liked the guy and thought he could use it.
It was a very interesting learning experience for me. I have learned that the same thing can be done online.
Just be friendly during your text messages and online exchanges, you will be surprised at how far this will take you in the haggling game.
Don’t Be Afraid to Move On
Don’t get offended if the seller is not willing to negotiate their price. They may simply need to stay firm on their price. And some online sellers are actually running a business and not just looking to get rid of items they don’t need.
If a person is not willing to budge, just move on to the next item on your list or pay the price.
I have found some of the best like new and used items online. And in a lot of cases at a cheaper price than buying new. Sometimes it takes a bit of patience. And even might have a bit of let down from time to time. But keep on keeping on. It is so worth it.
Asking For a Lower Price
There are several ways to ask for a lower price when negotiating. Here are some examples:
- Make a counteroffer: If the seller has provided you with a price that you think is too high, you can make a counteroffer. Start by expressing interest in the product or service, and then explain why you think the price is too high. Offer a lower price that you think is fair, and be prepared to negotiate further if necessary.
- Ask for a discount: If you don't want to make a counteroffer, you can ask for a discount. You can do this by simply saying something like, “Is there any way you can give me a discount?” Keep in mind this approach works best if you have a reason for the seller to give you a discount, such as being a repeat customer or buying in bulk.
- Bundle products or services: If you're interested in buying multiple products or services, you can ask the seller to bundle them together and give you a lower price. This approach works well if you're willing to compromise on the specific products or services you want.
- Point out flaws or defects: If you notice any flaws or defects in the product or service, you can use this as leverage to ask for a lower price. For example, if you're buying a car and notice a scratch on the bumper, you can ask for a lower price to compensate for the cost of repairing it.
- Walk away: If all else fails, you can always walk away. Sometimes, the seller may be willing to lower the price if they think they're going to lose the sale altogether. Just be prepared to follow through on your threat to walk away if the seller doesn't budge on the price.
Examples of Asking For a Lower Price
When asking for a lower price, it's important to be polite and respectful. Here are some phrases you can use to ask for a lower price politely:
- “Is there any flexibility in the price?”
- “I'm interested in buying, but the price is a bit higher than I was hoping. Would you be willing to negotiate?”
- “I love the product/service, but I'm on a tight budget. Is there any way you could lower the price?”
- “I'm a repeat customer, and I was wondering if you could offer me a discount.”
- “I noticed there are a few similar products/services on the market for a lower price. Is there any way you could match or beat that price?”
- “I really want to buy from you, but the price is a bit outside of my budget. Is there anything you can do to help me out?”
Remember to always be polite and respectful and provide reasons why you think a lower price is appropriate.
Be prepared to negotiate and compromise, and don't be afraid to walk away if you can't come to an agreement.
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