My dad is a great haggler. I remember years ago when he was buying me a bike, he got the price reduced and a lock, light and reflectors thrown in. I was a teenager at the time and I was cringing with embarrassment, but now I say ‘fair play’ and I’ll always try to get something extra thrown in. I guess the Delboy in me came from my dad!

You can save yourself hundreds if you learn to haggle and where. I have put together 10 simple haggling tricks, as well as where to haggle and some simple phrases to use. If you do it in a fun way, with a smile on your face, it will work. Come on be brave!

1. Stop caring what people think of you

We Irish are not that keen on haggling. We are too worried what people might think and sometimes we don’t even fight our corner when we feel we’re being overcharged. We need to be more assertive. Are you really willing to pay top dollar just so you can preserve the esteem of total strangers?  Think to yourself, what’s the worst that could happen- they won’t shout and scream and punch you in the face! If you don’t kick the ball you can’t score a goal.

2. Get them to chuck something in

If you’re new to haggling this is a great way to start. Try something like free batteries with electrical goods, free polish with shoes etc.

3. Look for already discounted items

If the item is already on sale, they could be trying to get rid of excess stock to make room for new stock. There is usually more flexibility, especially in electrical stores where there may be a newer model about to be launched.

4. Look for flaws

Look for the tiniest of dents or scratches in electrical appliances and marks on clothing; this makes them more difficult to flog. I got 20% off a book last week in Easons because it was dog eared.

5. Haggling with an existing provider?Threaten to leave

The most powerful haggle of all comes when you’re haggling with a company, near the end of your current contract. Many companies have ‘customer retention’ targets and it’s their job to ensure that they don’t lose you as a customer. Threaten to leave and they will entice you back with extras, upgrades, reduction in price, you name it.  It works well for most services;  digital TV, insurance,  mobile phone contracts, telephone, broadband and utility providers.

6. Own the silence

This is a great technique in any awkward situation. Don’t be tempted to fill in the silence, hold back, let them talk first and it variably they will come back with a better offer.

7. Don’t try when stores are jammed

Try not to haggle when a shop is crammed with other customers. The last thing salespeople are interested in is reducing their margins when they can see lots of people willing to buy. Go during quieter times, such as midweek mid-mornings.

8. Do your research

You can often get on-line prices in stores if you research it well and have all the information to hand when negotiating. Know the product (make & model), know where it is current being sold and what price. It’s also useful to know if a newer model is about to introduced, as this will improve your negotiating power.

9. Set a price target

Have a target in mind and aim lower (if you don’t ask, you don’t get). Pretend to call a reluctant partner and have them call the shots. Be prepared to walk away (or at least threaten to).

10. Go for seniority but not the manager

If you’re haggling face-to-face, an assistant manager or supervisor is a good person to bargain with. They have more discretion than most of the shop staff, understand the retail game a bit better and are used to pleasing their customers. A manager, however, may be short of time and it may not be worth his time and effort for just one sale.

Where to haggle

Furniture & Homeware Stores, Jewellery Stores, Electrical Stores, Clothes Stores (if they’re independently owned and even some high street stores give their staff the flexibility of discounting up to 10%)

Phrases to use when haggling

What is the best deal you can do on this?’
‘What is your range of flexibility on this price?’
‘I’d love to buy this, but my wife I’ll go bonkers if I pay that.’
‘I like this mountain bike, but it’s too pricey.’
‘Price is the most important factor for me.’
‘I like this, but it’s above my budget, can you do it for €50?’
‘Come on, you can do better than that!’ (In a cheeky voice!)
‘Oh go on, do it for €65.’
‘I’m a poor mature student/pensioner/unemployed/nurse/teacher.’ Though don’t lie!

Have you have a good experience of haggling? Do you know a good trick? What store has it worked in? Please leave a comment so we can all learn!