Do you like haggling?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

Whether buying big ticket items like homes or cars, or when buying items like vegetables at a farmers market, some people just love to haggle their way to a better deal, while others want to simply pay a fair, fixed price.

Do you like to haggle?

15 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes - I like to haggle
	4 (27%)
	No - I don't like to haggle
	11 (73%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[TwilightGardener]

1. Maybe it's a cultural thing--I'm not comfortable with it, but other people are.

[B Calm]

2. I hate to haggle. Just give me your lowest price and if I want it for that price

I'll buy it.

[MineralMan]

3. I'm not much of a haggler. I can do it, and have,

but I prefer that the seller set the price and I decide whether to buy. Similarly, when I set the price for something, it is after careful consideration. Right now, my wife and I are in the process of helping her mother sell the townhome she used to live in. I'm not enjoying the process. Quibbling over price in tiny percentages of its value is unappealing to me. That's the nature of real estate transactions, I suppose, but it's a pain in the ass.

Fortunately, I'm not the decider. I offer my opinion, but am not directly involved in any of the negotiations, thank goodness.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

5. Selling family real estate is thankless under the best of circumstances

"Why are we selling Gramma's house when we could just give it to little Timmy?"

"We'd get more if we'd remodel?"

"Why in God's name are we remodeling?"

"Just get rid of that albatross as soon as possible"

"You're an idiot to take a penny under $250K -- otherwise, let's rent it out"

"I have a great idea - why don't we keep Gramma's house, and members of the family can use it as sort of a vacation house whenever they are in town"

[MineralMan]

10. Well, MiL is still alive and doing fine.

She needs the proceeds from the sale down the road to cover what her retirement income doesn't for the assisted living place where she now lives. Her old townhome has been re-carpeted and repainted and is just about in perfect shape. We have a number of interested parties, but haven't yet completed a purchase agreement, for one reason or another. I expect that to be done this week.

There aren't really any serious issues among family members, and my wife's mother is leaving all the negotiations to my wife and I, with the blessings of her two sisters. We're here and we're taking care of all the details, from emptying the house (what a chore that was) to choosing carpet and paint colors (I did that, and it all looks terrific). Our real estate agent is doing a good job, too.

It has still taken far more time and effort than I expected. Lots more than went into selling our own house in California and buying the one here in Minnesota. Those two transactions were done without haggling. Our buyer made a simple full-price offer when we sold, and we did the same when we bought here. We didn't even use a real estate agent when selling our house in California, but had to here, since the seller had one.

When we put the CA house on the market, I set a price that was fair and represented it's actual value. I created a web page for the house, and advertised in the local paper with the URL. I showed the house myself, held the open house myself, and even invited one prospective buyer (a couple) over for a dinner I prepared. They're the ones who ended up with the house. I did all of the necessary fix-up work and disclosed all of the place's flaws (there were many) to all prospective buyers. The couple that bought it didn't like the tub and shower enclosure, so I said, OK, and installed one of their choice during the escrow period. That was about it for issues.

One realtor came by after I'd advertised the house and said, "You'll never be able to sell this dump without a realtor." I replied, "Yah, OK, seeya." One week later, we had three offers at the asking price and the sale closed within 30 days. So much for her advice. We arranged to rent the house for two weeks after closing, so I could load everything into the big UHaul truck I bought used from UHaul and take off for Minnesota. We still exchange Christmas cards with that couple, who are still happy with their little cottage in California.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. I hate it with the fire of a thousand suns...

a monumental waste of time and you never know if you got the best deal you could.

[Fumesucker]

16. A good deal is where both parties walk away thinking they got the better end of it..

The trick is to figure out how much the item or service is worth to *you* and then pay no more than that.

About the only things I buy new at full retail any more are gasoline and food, everything else is used and gets haggled over unless the deal is so good it's advisable to snap it up before someone else does.

[JaneyVee]

6. I voted yes, although I rarely do it, but...

The examples you gave are examples of times I actually do it. 95% of the time I pay asking price.

[Phentex]

7. I don't like it but I will do it for something that matters...

I don't want the 6 months deal that you are going to jack up after that. I want the best deal you've got. I won't drive out of my way to save money on a pint of blueberries like my neighbor does but I will research a used car and not pay the advertised price. I don't like garage sales or flea markets but I don't mind asking for a better price on my car insurance.

[bemildred]

8. It's a good way to lose my business. nt

[bigwillq]

9. No

I shop more based on convenience than price. Fortunately, I am able to do that.
I've probably paid more for a lot of things that I could've gotten cheaper somewhere else but that meant I would have had to go to a store out of my way. I am a one-stop shopper, and I never use coupons or look through brochures to find the best price. That's just too much work for me. lol

[bluedigger]

11. Give me a good reason why I should vote in your poll.

[jberryhill]

12. It will only cost you a moment, and you will have the pride of getting your vote registered

Perhaps you might like to have a look at some of our other polls?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

14. Let me talk to my manager and see what I can do

[NCTraveler]

13. I can't stand it.

Thankfully my partner absolutely loves is. I would spend so much more on items.

[Fumesucker]

15. I grew up in a haggling environment so it comes naturally to me

On either side of the deal you have to be prepared to walk away if you don't get or reach the final price you had in mind. Getting emotionally involved with a purchase is the biggest mistake that people make at auctions including Ebay, I've watched people pay more than new retail for used goods because they got caught up in the moment and kept bidding when they should have folded.

[KT2000]

17. Hate it - but I hang out

with a friend who is from China and it is second nature to her. She thinks I am nuts for not doing it. I usually wander off when she does that because in the US - some people are insulted if you start to haggle with them.

[msongs]

18. haggling = your product is crap but I am willing to lower my standards for a lower price.

[RadiationTherapy]

19. "fair" "fixed" price, eh?

Hahaha. That is positively quaint! (no offense intended)

[Algernon Moncrieff]

20. The prevaiing price, or a price that internet research shows as reasonable.

but yes.. I can see where the phrasing was, in one context, self-contradictory

[madokie]

21. I really don't like to haggle.

I like to think the product is worth what they're, and me too, are asking for it or I won't bother

[seabeyond]

22. no. i know people who do. i do not. if the price is not where i want, or what i think it

should be, i walk away

[dawg]

23. No. I know what price I'm willing to pay.

I let the other party know, and then I demand that they submit.

Sometimes, they do not immediately submit. This is referred to as "haggling". I hate it.

Just give me the price I demand, damnit!