Closer (x-posted from Lounge)

[IrishAyes]

Is everyone aware that major appliance prices are usually negotiable to a degree, even when already on sale?

Dangit, I'm exhausted after wheeling and dealing for another major appliance. At general sales times, I'll surf for the best offer and search for days if I don't find what suits me and my modest purse. Then I wait until what seems like it might be the site's highest traffic time to call and ask for a manager because I want someone with the best chance to accommodate me a little more. They tend to be more agreeable when they're pressed for time. If that manager can't/won't dicker, I call back 5 minutes later looking for a different one. Sometimes it takes up to 3 tries.

Eventually almost always I can get about an extra 15% off the sale price plus free shipping even if that's not in the advertised special. Lots of times they'll advertise a lower price on something that normally comes with free shipping and then make up the difference by charging for delivery! But I'm harder to get rid of than a bad habit when I want something, although I'm extremely polite about it. Both are required.

So today I finally got the kitchen range I wanted at the price I was willing to pay, following many hours of searching and negotiating after that. But it was worth all the trouble for a person with a modest purse. 'They' say when people like me do come into $, if we were of a thrifty nature before that, we don't change. For me the ego trip is not in plunking down cash for the most expensive item, it's driving that price lower. Lots of work for not all that much extra savings, yet I'd feel guilty otherwise.

And the stove's American made.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Good for you.

I have never tried to haggle for a better price on an appliance, but I might try it next time. I am not sure that I am willing to put that much effort into it though. It sounds like it might be worth it just to pay the sale price, maybe just negotiating for free delivery (which I have done).

You said that you do this on the phone.....does it work in-store? I am not sure how you buy an appliance over the phone.

[IrishAyes]

2. There are no such appliance stores really within a hundred miles of here.

Not a big chain store anyway, where they're going to be a little less costly to begin with. A town 70 miles away has a couple large independent stores, but their sale prices are much higher than regular at the big boxes - and I don't mean WalMart, where I boycott. So yes, I had to do it over the phone like all other major purchases. It's good that you insist on free delivery at least. The whole schmiel works in-store too, at least sometimes. I don't always 'win' even on the phone. I just try to optimize my chances. If my efforts fail, I really do walk away from the deal.

What I used to do at flea markets was to have my $ in 2 different pockets, so when I thought the seller had surpassed the true bottom price, I could fall back on a reluctant, seeming agreement and frisk myself for $ but be sure not to find quite enough. Then I could shrug my shoulders, look embarrassed, apologize and start to walk away. At that point I'd discover what the real bottom price was. But you have to be very practiced in the art of the bluff not to give yourself away. And for goodness' sake, never dress up because these methods don't work at all if you look well off.

One time I used to drive past a certain antique/junk store on the highway and would often stop to admire a particular iron bedstead which I considered overpriced. The owner knew I wouldn't buy at ticket price. So finally, in the middle of an awful storm predicted to last 2-3 days, I went to 'browse' again. Laughed at myself for being fool enough to be out in such weather, then mumbled something at least meant to sound sympathetic and wondered how many other people would be as stupid to try driving in a blizzard. The owner gave me a dirty look but I got my 50% off that day - finally. If you enjoy the contest, it's not really work.

My last major funtime to share happened when I was rummaging around a big old real junk store and found what looked like a genuine solid oak bed that had to be at least 200 years old. At least it had ropes to support a mattress. Anyway, I started telling the owner that my mil was coming to visit and I was searching for some junky old bed to accommodate her. Ha ha! How about that outfit in the corner? (He still had other junk piled on it; no suspicion of its value.) How much do you want? (Made sure he knew the joke was about my mil - although I was already divorced) He looked at me, shrugged his shoulders, and asked if 35 would be too much. Since I was about to faint from shock, I mumbled the price to myself, unbeliving. Thirty-five dollars? He even asked if I thought that was too much. Shaking my head in disbelief, afraid he'd realize the huge mistake he was making, I paid that $ faster than you can imagine. Even offered him extra to carry it out to the truck for me, but he refused. He really thought he had over-charged me a little. I've always felt a little guilty, but I still love that bed.

The one place I won't pull those stunts is at a yard sale where the people look worse off than me. It wouldn't be good clean fun then.

Sorry about all the edits. The dogs have been frisky this morning.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I like the way you think.

I can see the value in your technique. Now, to convince myself that it will be fun!

As to that old bed, you don't have to feel guilty, because he would not have sold it for less than he had paid for it.