What comes to mind when you hear the word “haggle?” Is it a foreign marketplace covered from head to toe in spices and rugs? Maybe it’s a used car dealership with an owner who’s a character? The fact is that we only think there are certain places where we can negotiate over the price. As far as being thrifty goes, this is a massive backward step because it means accepting the retail value 99% of the time.
Haggling is accessible anywhere in the world at any time of the year. To prove this to be true, here are four tricks for a place you never thought you could barter: the internet.
Try The Online Chat Option
You’re a seasoned pro who has been there, done it, and worn the t-shirt multiple times. So, there is no need for you to talk to an advisor; it’s sacrilege! However, leaving your ego at the virtual doors can save you a small fortune. The reason is that the operators can cut you a deal depending on certain circumstances. All you have to do is pose a question and see if anything happens. Start by asking for a discount code because you’re a new customer. The chances are they’ll do it to encourage you to make a conversion. Use the chatbot to haggle as if you were doing it face-to-face.
Discard Your Trolley
Not to go all Orwellian, but Big Brother is watching. Wait, don’t all look at once. Instead, sneakily dump your cart and head for the exit! Joking aside, companies do monitor their customers’ transactions to provide a better experience. And, you can use this to your advantage to save money online shopping. By abandoning your remote basket, it will notify the shopping police who will tip off their superiors. Usually, this then results in an email notification with offers on the products you want at a significant discount. Be sure to sign in to show up on their radar.
Use Social Media
Chatbots and abandoning your trolley are methods which are indirect. You hope someone will notice but you can never be sure. Even the chat services aren’t direct because computer programs may control them. It’s much better to deal with the organ grinder rather than the monkey, which is where Twitter comes into play. By using the direct message tool, you can speak to an advisor with serious clout and tell them what you want. There’s nothing subtle about this but it is effective.
Threaten To Leave
You’ve got their attention through the chatbot or social media, but they aren’t biting. This isn’t their first rodeo and they know when a customer is playing them. Not to worry because you have the ultimate leverage – money. Without your custom, their profit margin shrinks and they stand to lose some of their market share. Use this to your advantage by threatening to leave. Also, point out you’re going to a rival, one which has offered a superior deal.
Do they have the stones to call your bluff?
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