Cdns. - Does DR's $100 method work here?

**peanut** · 09-05-2008, 03:59 PM

Strikes me you'd be laughed at and shown the door if you tried counting out 100s here in Canada. I think we are a lot less open to wheeling and dealing compared to Americans. Am I right about this? I rarely buy anything brand new, so don't know what's typical. We've walked away from the new expensive stuff to buy used on-line.

Jean

**cheapskate 49** · 09-05-2008, 05:50 PM

I don't really know anything about Dave Ramsey(that's DR right) but I am assuming you are talking about bargaining-no I don't think it would go down well here,I can't even get the thrift store to lower their price.I think car buying is the only place you can bargain or if you were dealing with the owner of the store

**peanut** · 09-05-2008, 07:03 PM

Yeah, I mean Dave Ramsey. Hmmm...we do pretty good with a lot less stress just buying used from individuals. Except cars. DH insists on buying cars from a dealership...with a warranty...and he keeps taking them back there to be repaired. So they know if they mess with us, they're going to be stuck fixing the situation...

Jean

**mateosbaby** · 09-05-2008, 07:24 PM

It's the same here in America. If you go in to, say, an appliance store, see the sticker price of $599 (for example), and say, "I'll give you $400 in cash right now instead," you would be laughed at, as well. Plenty of people "deal in cash" with a debit card, but none of them get a discount just because they don't use credit. Not to mention, the salespeople have NO control over prices. They can talk to their manager, but even the manager doesn't set the prices. It's above their control. You'd have to talk to the owner of the store, and in most cases, it's just inconceivable to try. Just pay it in cash, and at least you won't have debt. The only places to haggle prices are car lots (and there, you have to be pretty careful that you actually know what it's worth and what a good deal would be) and with individuals at rummage sales or buying something directly from an individual. I can't even think of other places you can even attempt to haggle about prices. Even doctor's offices have set their prices so they can pay the bills (granted, they may have a lot more income than us, but they still have bills to pay and a lifestyle they wish to maintain).

Anyway, that's the long way of saying, "No haggling here, either."

**Michelle** · 09-06-2008, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by mateosbaby

It's the same here in America. If you go in to, say, an appliance store, see the sticker price of $599 (for example), and say, "I'll give you $400 in cash right now instead," you would be laughed at, as well. Plenty of people "deal in cash" with a debit card, but none of them get a discount just because they don't use credit. Not to mention, the salespeople have NO control over prices. They can talk to their manager, but even the manager doesn't set the prices. It's above their control. You'd have to talk to the owner of the store, and in most cases, it's just inconceivable to try. Just pay it in cash, and at least you won't have debt. The only places to haggle prices are car lots (and there, you have to be pretty careful that you actually know what it's worth and what a good deal would be) and with individuals at rummage sales or buying something directly from an individual. I can't even think of other places you can even attempt to haggle about prices. Even doctor's offices have set their prices so they can pay the bills (granted, they may have a lot more income than us, but they still have bills to pay and a lifestyle they wish to maintain).

Anyway, that's the long way of saying, "No haggling here, either."

Yep, this is true :agree:

**McD** · 09-06-2008, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by mateosbaby

It's the same here in America. If you go in to, say, an appliance store, see the sticker price of $599 (for example), and say, "I'll give you $400 in cash right now instead," you would be laughed at, as well. Plenty of people "deal in cash" with a debit card, but none of them get a discount just because they don't use credit. Not to mention, the salespeople have NO control over prices. They can talk to their manager, but even the manager doesn't set the prices. It's above their control. You'd have to talk to the owner of the store, and in most cases, it's just inconceivable to try. Just pay it in cash, and at least you won't have debt. The only places to haggle prices are car lots (and there, you have to be pretty careful that you actually know what it's worth and what a good deal would be) and with individuals at rummage sales or buying something directly from an individual. I can't even think of other places you can even attempt to haggle about prices. Even doctor's offices have set their prices so they can pay the bills (granted, they may have a lot more income than us, but they still have bills to pay and a lifestyle they wish to maintain).

Anyway, that's the long way of saying, "No haggling here, either."

Depends on where you are at. We have a customer of the bank who is working the DR program and he walked into a furniture store, picked out a 1400 dollar set and got them to settle for 700$ cash.

**Michelle** · 09-06-2008, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by MrsMcDowell

Depends on where you are at. We have a customer of the bank who is working the DR program and he walked into a furniture store, picked out a 1400 dollar set and got them to settle for 700$ cash.

Wow, that's great. Was it a "Mom & Pop" store vs. a chain?

**Greebo** · 09-06-2008, 05:06 PM

You can't haggle at big chains - so don't shop at big chains.

**Michelle** · 09-06-2008, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

You can't haggle at big chains - so don't shop at big chains.

Right. That has been my experience and the reason why I asked what hers was.

**Persimmon Lace** · 09-06-2008, 05:36 PM

My husband haggles all the time with stores and has been able to get a better price at least 75% of the time. He's good at it and isn't unpleasant about it. You know they can only say no, they can't kill you or something!

**McD** · 09-06-2008, 05:55 PM

It's a Midwest chain.

**Day~Dreamer** · 09-24-2008, 02:27 PM

We got $150 off of a TV at walmart because the display model was the only one left and wewanted it, so we went directly to a manager who told us there was nothing he could do, so we asked to speak to the person who could do something. He got the store manager and we got the TV we wanted (with out waiting for a new shipment) and got $150 off. People can haggle at chains, people just need to talk to the right people and get out of the mind set that they can't haggle. KWIM?

**mkkl19** · 09-24-2008, 06:27 PM

I know that H H Gregg an appliance store chain will come down on their price to make a sale. I was looking at a deep freezer and the salesman said he could lower the price by almost $100!!

**QuadSquadMom** · 09-30-2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Day~Dreamer

We got $150 off of a TV at walmart because the display model was the only one left and wewanted it, so we went directly to a manager who told us there was nothing he could do, so we asked to speak to the person who could do something. He got the store manager and we got the TV we wanted (with out waiting for a new shipment) and got $150 off. People can haggle at chains, people just need to talk to the right people and get out of the mind set that they can't haggle. KWIM?

Our experience has been much the same. Stores will haggle if you have the gumption to try it and you talk to the right someone who has the authority to do it. My DH (at the suggestion of a friend) really practiced this on vacation in Cancun about 15 years ago. We were shocked at how far down from the sales prices we could get things. Once we came home, DH figured he would try it regularly as we shopped for whatever.

The first thing he bargained in the US was a surround sound speaker system at Best Buy. He talked first to the salesman, then a department manager, then the store manager who gave him $140 off the price. Since then, we built our confidence in bargaining, and we regularly ask for a deal (and get them) at Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, and various furniture and jewelery stores.

It can in fact be done! Sure we are told no sometimes, but more often than not, if we ask, we get something off.

I was far more reluctant to do this (silly embarrassment factor) but I overcame it, after observing him be successful so many times.

I started out with the easy way to get to a yes on this (something damaged): I was at Home Depot to buy 1 bag of lawn fertilizer ($15) when I noticed 3 bags which were ripped open. I asked the cashier what they do with open packages. She went to get the department manager who came over. I asked him if I could buy the ripped packages of the product I needed, and offered to take all 3 if he would. He marked them down to $5 each, taped up the bags, and loaded them into my trunk. These bags were about 90% full! I felt such a win!!!

It's become a challenge I look forward to trying anytime I can. I find good opportunities when there is a seasonal change (patio stuff on clearance for fall/holiday merchandise), I won't hesitate to ask for a discount for cash on already clearanced items, almost always a yes. Last of an item in the store, missing button on clothes in department stores, ect.

Try it!!! All they can do is say no, but they may well say yes, and save you REAL MONEY!!!

**Wendy99** · 10-04-2008, 08:09 PM

I try but dont have much luck here in Canada ... thrift stores won't bargain at all where I live, Walmart won't either - if the item is damaged, they say they cant reduce it & they put it in the "back" wherever that is ...