REAL LIFE SCENARIOS:

Location: Large Electronics Store (ie. Best Buy, Future Shop, etc)
Many people feel they cannot bargain at electronics stores, believe me it is possible.
As a note, any place where the workers are working on commission is an invitation to haggle.
Item wanted: Laptop computer

Now here we go.

If you are wanting to buy a laptop, the first thing you would think to do when you go to the store is walk
towards the laptops, right? Wrong. This is meant to be a spur of the moment purchase. Walk over to the
CD section and start browsing the CD's. After some time wander over to the computer department.

Now, start playing with the laptops, you know using the touch pad, etc - at this point a sales associate
should introduce himself to you. He will ask you if you need any help, politely tell him that you are just
looking around.

Okay, so at this point you should have designated the laptop which you want to purchase. Review that
laptop the most, look at the specifications and go compare it to the other ones. Remember, you are being
watched this whole time, so don't act excited even if you think you are going to get an amazing deal.

Go back and forth between the laptops but always come back to the one you would like to purchase. At
this point the sales associate will come back and ask you if you need any help in purchasing, etc. Let him
know that you would like to buy this laptop but you are not too keen to pay the price labeled. You have
now entered the game - make sure to have a set price for the laptop, do not exceed this price
when haggling - if the sales associate won't comply with the deal, simply walk away since you
have no attachment to the product.

So now the sales associate will ask you what you want to pay, do not answer this yet, ask him how much
he can take off. So now, lets throw some figures in here:

The laptop is listed for $1200 and the 3 year warranty is $300. You want to come out paying $1200
for both the laptop and the warranty.

He will say that he can probably take off $50. When he says this look surprised, he will feel that he has
now lost the sale so he will be more willing to work with you.

During this time, examine the laptop, and state the things you dislike about it (ie. the touch pad) tell him
that it just doesn't feel right and you couldn't see yourself using it. In fear of losing the sale the sales
associate will most likely offer you a free mouse with the purchase. If he doesn't bring it up yourself.

Now, this mouse isn't going to cost anymore than $15 but its still a really good package deal.

So during this time, you've brought him down to $1050. Let him know that you would like to purchase the
warranty. At this point he will become more lenient on the price, since the majority of the money/
commission they make are from the warranties.



Okay, so you've been bargaining for a while know but are still at $1050. At this time, ask him to go speak
to his manager and get the best price from him. He will go and come back saying the manager cannot
give a better deal. Look at the sales associate and thank him for his time and start to walk away - the
manager will see this and so will the associate, so you now have both of them to work with. The sales
associate will track you down and bring you back to the deal, look hesitant but proceed. During mid
bargain, ask him if a carry case is included. He will state no (most laptops don't come with cases) and
ask him to throw one in for you (which he will).

So now that you have both the manager in the area watching, say that you want to purchase the warranty
and laptop for $1200 including the free mouse and case. You will go back and forth for a while but in the
end the sales associate will give in or the manager will intervene and give it to you for the price you want.

Make sure you don't upset anyone (the associate will seem flustered; this is good - it shows that you
are winning)