"Help me spend my money here."
As co-host of The Shopping Bags. Kristina Matisic of Vancouver knows what it takes to get a great deal. She put that knowledge to the test recently when she was out shopping for a new sofa. "I fell in love with one that was $4,260 - way out of my price range," says Matisic. "Instead of walking away from this perfect find, I negotiated with the sales clerk." ....... Matiisic told the clerk she really wanted the sofa and asked if she could get it at a better price. The clerk informed her that the store had just finished its grand-opening special but since she'd asked, she'd give her the discount. Matisic paid $3,408 - 20% less then the sticker price. "Luckily, delivery was included, or I would have asked for that, too." says Matisic.
Haggling Tip: "Most prices on big ticket items are negotiable," says Matisic. "You just have to summon up the courage to ask for a better price. Never ask for a specific amount such as $10 or $100 off: You could be leaving money on the table." (means: you could loose a bigger chance).
"I feel like I'm not being treated equally."
Anna Wallner, Matisic's TV show co-host, thought she and her colleague were getting the same type of hotel room during a recent trip to New York. After all, they had paid the same rate: $199. However, for some unknown reason, her friend had been upgraded to a suite with a view - at no extra charge. "My room, on the other hand, was more like a broom closet with a tiny window staring out onto a brick wall," says Wallner. ...... Wallner, coauthor with Matisic of The Shopping Bags: Tips, Tricks and Inside Information,saw in opportunity and went for it. She called the front desk and explained that she'd stayed in the hotel before and ejoyed it, but that this was un unfair situation, and she didn't feel as though she were being treated equally. The front-desk clerk immediately moved Wallner to a suite.
Haggling tip: "Start by talking about how you feel as a customer, and then make a convincing argument," advises Wallner. "I felt it was a fair request on my part and I made it in a pleasant way. I wasn't angry and I didn't complain. I simply asked. And they were only too happy to help.
As co-host of The Shopping Bags. Kristina Matisic of Vancouver knows what it takes to get a great deal. She put that knowledge to the test recently when she was out shopping for a new sofa. "I fell in love with one that was $4,260 - way out of my price range," says Matisic. "Instead of walking away from this perfect find, I negotiated with the sales clerk." ....... Matiisic told the clerk she really wanted the sofa and asked if she could get it at a better price. The clerk informed her that the store had just finished its grand-opening special but since she'd asked, she'd give her the discount. Matisic paid $3,408 - 20% less then the sticker price. "Luckily, delivery was included, or I would have asked for that, too." says Matisic.
Haggling Tip: "Most prices on big ticket items are negotiable," says Matisic. "You just have to summon up the courage to ask for a better price. Never ask for a specific amount such as $10 or $100 off: You could be leaving money on the table." (means: you could loose a bigger chance).
"I feel like I'm not being treated equally."
Anna Wallner, Matisic's TV show co-host, thought she and her colleague were getting the same type of hotel room during a recent trip to New York. After all, they had paid the same rate: $199. However, for some unknown reason, her friend had been upgraded to a suite with a view - at no extra charge. "My room, on the other hand, was more like a broom closet with a tiny window staring out onto a brick wall," says Wallner. ...... Wallner, coauthor with Matisic of The Shopping Bags: Tips, Tricks and Inside Information,saw in opportunity and went for it. She called the front desk and explained that she'd stayed in the hotel before and ejoyed it, but that this was un unfair situation, and she didn't feel as though she were being treated equally. The front-desk clerk immediately moved Wallner to a suite.
Haggling tip: "Start by talking about how you feel as a customer, and then make a convincing argument," advises Wallner. "I felt it was a fair request on my part and I made it in a pleasant way. I wasn't angry and I didn't complain. I simply asked. And they were only too happy to help.
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