bartering/haggling

[babetteq]

I do wonder why I don't see more threads about bartering or haggling on this site (I suppose if I want to see them I should just start them eh?)

One of the best ways to save money is to only use it for things that can't be got any other way. Like the phone bill. no matter which representative you talk to, they won't eliminate your phone bill for a day of house cleaning, a new pair of handmade socks and some of your nice soaps. You need money for that.... But what about other stuff?

I barter for food alot. Food is very expensive up here, but there are many hunters. handspun, handknit socks go a long long way (i traded a pair this month for 10lbs of venison). I trade work for things (i'll look after your children/clean your house/do yardwork)... many poeple who have never been into bartering love the idea of trading things and bartering things (the yuppies around here think it's very hip when I've approached them for barter)

The more you barter, the more money you have for the stuff that takes money only.

haggling..... never be embarrassed to say things like "will you give me this for 7$?" when the sticker price is $9. 2nd hand stores, owner/operators, cottage industry...etc usually are fine with it, because it get's it sold. Now, if they need to charge you full price, I've never had someone get put off by it, they just say "no I can't do that". We're conditioned not to haggle. It's not part of our culture, so somepeople feel embarrassed by it. don't. It's time to ADD it to our culture!!

Are there other barterer's/hagglers out here? what are your ideas?


babs

[peanut]

I'm not a barterer or haggler in your sense, but I find when I'm with friends or family there's a lot of shuffling of belongings from one house to the next! Just mention a need (or a want even) and it often appears as something someone else isn't using anymore. When I'm finished with it, I pass it on.

Jean

[Emerald_Mommy]

Originally posted by peanut
I'm not a barterer or haggler in your sense, but I find when I'm with friends or family there's a lot of shuffling of belongings from one house to the next! Just mention a need (or a want even) and it often appears as something someone else isn't using anymore. When I'm finished with it, I pass it on.

Jean

The only direct trading I do is for babysitting. We have friends who will watch our girls in trade for us watching theirs. It works well until we want to do something together.

As for haggling, I'm still working on this. My introver nature just does not want to ask people to "make a deal" but I'm trying to be better about this.

[FrugalMomof3]

My mom and I trade alot, she'll give me a bed set, I'll give her knick knacks and stuff like that.

I do haggle however when it's yard sale season, if they say no to a lower price, I think about if I really need it then I decide if I still want to get it.

I am a pretty good haggler though!

[Kimberlina]

I will haggle at yard sales, but that is about it. Oh, and also cars and of course my house. Saved about 10% on the house by offering a lot less than they asked.

I don't haggle too much otherwise, but I will if I don't think the price is fair.

I don't barter, too much, either, only because I don't really know anyone I can barter with. If I did, I would.

[my4littlebuffaloes]

I am bartering right now with my neighbor. I need some color pictures printed off and don't have the time or money to go buy a color cartridge. I noly need 5 pics printed. We never use the color feature on our printer. So I called her and told her I wanted to barter with her and she laughed and said she would do it for free. Well, I need to do something for her, but she won't say what. We were just talking about groceries and how she spends too much and how much I have been getting for free. I was telling her about all the free toothpaste I have and she laughed and said she would like to get free toothpaste. Well guess what she is getting next time I see her? 2 tubes of toothpaste that I got for free. Something I have enough of and that she is needing. They are struggling to make ends meet right now, so I will not just take the pics from her for free, ya know? I love bartering with friends, I am not so good with it and businesses.

Jennifer

[Valerie in WA]

I have not found many people interested in bartering. I do haggle (a bit) at yard sales. Mostly things are cheap, so I just pay what they're asking.

I also want to say welcome back!

[PrairieRose]

Not much bartering goes on around here... but I'm a haggler for sure. Gripey doesn't care for haggling so when we buy a car, I'm the one saying "nope, won't pay that but I'll give ya xxx". It's the same with most things are haggle-able. I have haggled at garage sales but usually don't unless I feel the price is waaaay to high.