To be clear, haggling in itself will not be impolite. Jon clarifies that “it is a part of the enterprise, but it surely must be carried out with respect.” In truth, Dee factors out that many sellers set their costs for flea markets and vintage reveals on the understanding that there might be haggling, noting that the follow is “an agreed upon and mutually satisfying recreation.”
So what precisely does well mannered haggling appear like? When unsure, Jon says merely asking how a lot an merchandise prices is an efficient technique to get the ball rolling. If you happen to’re actually critical about it, he suggests following that up with, “What’s your finest value?”
An alternative choice is to method a vendor with the merchandise you are curious about and ask, “Would you be offended if I made you a suggestion?” In keeping with Jon, if they are saying the value is mounted, then that is it, and do not insist. “As they are saying [that they’re open to offers]you may go forward and make them a suggestion whereas nonetheless remaining well mannered and respectful,” he says.
This brings up one other main flaw that Jon has typically seen at flea markets and vintage reveals. “If you happen to make a suggestion and the vendor accepts it, it’s important to be prepared to purchase the merchandise,” he says. “Do not speak about a value after which say it’s important to give it some thought. It will be like asking somebody out on a date, they are saying sure, and then you definitely say, ‘Properly, let me get again to that.’”
Count on all merchandise to be a cut price
Do not assume that all the things you discover is a cut price. “[Products sold at] Flea markets aren’t all the time the most cost effective,” says Rick, noting that in case you’re searching for new gadgets, it is a good suggestion to lookup the shops they’re promoting for earlier than making a purchase order.
Alongside the identical strains, he warns that “if the deal is simply too good, typically it’s,” explaining that regardless of how onerous occasion organizers attempt to keep away from promoting counterfeit items, it’s nonetheless attainable for it to slide by way of. The identical goes for reproductions at vintage reveals.
Harassing a vendor for a cheaper price
Some individuals are so satisfied that they will get an merchandise at a deep low cost – and are entitled to it for some purpose – that they maintain attempting to get the vendor to decrease the value, even when they’ve already mentioned that they will. go decrease. Along with being annoying, it additionally prices the vendor’s time and presumably the chance to make different gross sales.
“One of the simplest ways to play hardball is to only get out,” says Dee. “If the vendor has already given you their finest value, you may say, ‘Properly, I am unable to do this,’ which is a well mannered approach of claiming, ‘Your merchandise is sweet, however I am unable to afford that.’ If they’re prepared to go decrease, they are going to let .” In any other case, proceed.
Make an offensively low supply
One of many quickest methods to place a vendor at a drawback is to make them a suggestion that’s so low as to be offensive. “You must respect that these individuals put a variety of time, vitality and energy into it,” emphasizes Jon. “Merchandise will not be free.”