How to bargain (?)

[busteraider]

Hello... uhh i dunno if im being a cheapo or not... but jus wanted to ask how do you guys bargain, more specifically if ur getting an electric guitar + amp... like how much discount would u ask for and all that...
haha thanks :S

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Personally, I never bargain. I think it's unfair and from the point of view of the salesman, annoying. If it's too expensive, I just don't buy it... Unlike places like Thailand, Singapore isn't a bargain-friendly place.

 

[Mirrorboy]

can ask if got any discount
if he says no, then just live with it lor.

 

[evo76]

can ask if got any discount
if he says no, then just live with it lor.

Find out the price online in other places, say US and then compare recommended retail price and the cheapest available price. This is of course a rough guide as the shops here have to import the items and that adds on costs as well.

Question is: how much difference are you paying for the convenience of getting it locally and having local after sales service? The shop has overheads to meet and the salesman also need some commission; so have an opinion of what you are comfortable paying for and at least make sure that you don't get ripped off. Most places offer reasonable prices though.

 

[theGroovyMusic]

^Hehe most shops price their stuff reasonably, MOST, not all, so if you see something you like that is out of your price range, tough luck man, save more money, eat less and then purchase it. Alternatively, you can wait for sales etc etc which happen quite frequently and there are definitely good buys everywhere in forums and stuff if you look hard enough.

As what evo76 has said, retailers have to bring in products from overseas and stuff, you can do a rough gauge by pegging their prices against musiciansfriend or other musical stores, and after the shipping rates and stuff, you can calculate how much they earn, if their profit margin is way too high and unbelievable, then simply don't patronise them.

Heh, but me being a typical Singaporean, just ask nicely whether a bag/strap/picks/tuner is included, and just try whining a little bout being a little short on cash, and usually if you're polite+nice enough without being over demanding, they will throw it to you

 

[ymmak]

I guess it is harmless if you ask politely for a lil discount, unless the seller states "prices are firm". But I believe that hankering for a discount all the time or bargaining just for the sake of bargaining, is a no no for most sellers. And no, do not whine. Who cares if you are short of cash? Seriously?

If you have to ask others how to bargain, you are probably suggesting that you are at the losing end of every bargain you've encountered.

 

[busteraider]

no lah... its just that i dunno how much 'discount' to ask for without being ridiculous... haha

thanks for the replies tho

 

[Mirrorboy]

IMO the percentage of discount is not for us customers to decide, it's being seen as impolite and a little overboard. The most I would go is ask if I can get any discount and let the salesperson decide.

Unless you're really tight on cash then I don't think it'd be necessary to ask for discounts. I believe 90% of singaporeans could well afford anything in a guitar store. Just whether they think it's worth spending on it or not.

Well if you're getting a guitar + amp combi, I think you shouldn't be asking for discounts, more like any freebies included

 

[LadyInTears]

wanna bargain? can, but know your stuff first.

firstly if you know your stuff well, done your research, you roughly know how much the item you're looking for costs, and then you can roughly gauge how much discounts you are entitled to, or rather you can get.

secondly, always be polite and never rude, and as the buyer, do the speaking yourself, never let a third party ( your mom, dad or something ) interfere as normally the tone they strike across is disgusting and would ultimately not work.

lastly, unless it's sweelee, don't have too high hopes on getting discounts. at the most ask for free picks, pack of strings or something trivial, and try ask the salesperson to round the total amount down.

that aside, always speak with respect, because mutual respect does benefit everyone.

my 2 centzzzzz

 

[theGroovyMusic]

wanna bargain? can, but know your stuff first.

firstly if you know your stuff well, done your research, you roughly know how much the item you're looking for costs, and then you can roughly gauge how much discounts you are entitled to, or rather you can get.

secondly, always be polite and never rude, and as the buyer, do the speaking yourself, never let a third party ( your mom, dad or something ) interfere as normally the tone they strike across is disgusting and would ultimately not work.

lastly, unless it's sweelee, don't have too high hopes on getting discounts. at the most ask for free picks, pack of strings or something trivial, and try ask the salesperson to round the total amount down.

that aside, always speak with respect, because mutual respect does benefit everyone.

my 2 centzzzzz

^berry good +1

 

[relinquish69]

Just lie to the naive seller!

Tell him that he posted his item for $500 instead of the stated $600. Do include a pitiful story by claiming that you came all the way from the west to the east because you claimed that it was $500 & you would only deal if it was the price you claimed that you saw.

If the seller is a nice person, he would give in to his own softness and sell you the item at your stated price. At the end of the day, that naive seller checks his own buy/sell page only to find that the item was stated at $600. he can only treat it as buying a box of tissue instead of a packet from some disabled old person.

I was that naive seller. Frankly if he tries to deal with me again, he is not going to get it. Because of his actions, I've become very firm with my dealings.

To make your experience a pleasant one, please be honest. Honesty does have it's benefits really.

 

[sept09]

For me, I will survey all the shops I know and compare the price. Will also compare online price.

Then if a particular shop is selling at a much lower price than the rest, I will go to that shop. Ask for further discount, if have then good. If not, its ok as I know its cheaper than anywhere else.

Another way is to wait for sale. There might be a better bargain duing sale, eg. 35% -50% off.

It will also help if you always buy your equipment from one place and know the staff there. That way you build better friendship and they will recommend you better or cheaper alternative in the future.

 

[LadyInTears]

Just lie to the naive seller!

Tell him that he posted his item for $500 instead of the stated $600. Do include a pitiful story by claiming that you came all the way from the west to the east because you claimed that it was $500 & you would only deal if it was the price you claimed that you saw.

If the seller is a nice person, he would give in to his own softness and sell you the item at your stated price. At the end of the day, that naive seller checks his own buy/sell page only to find that the item was stated at $600. he can only treat it as buying a box of tissue instead of a packet from some disabled old person.

I was that naive seller. Frankly if he tries to deal with me again, he is not going to get it. Because of his actions, I've become very firm with my dealings.

To make your experience a pleasant one, please be honest. Honesty does have it's benefits really.

deepest condolences my friend.

i for one has suffered this as well, not remembering the price i had listed in my ad.

this is why i reiterate that mutual trust and respect between both parties is essential, speak with respect and you'd be given respect.

also, the tone you strike across is very important.
speak like an idiot, be prepared to be treated like one.

 

[relinquish69]

one piece of advice? expect the unexpected even from some the forum's old birds.

 

[Stan_Kumar]

wanna bargain? can, but know your stuff first.

firstly if you know your stuff well, done your research, you roughly know how much the item you're looking for costs, and then you can roughly gauge how much discounts you are entitled to, or rather you can get.

secondly, always be polite and never rude, and as the buyer, do the speaking yourself, never let a third party ( your mom, dad or something ) interfere as normally the tone they strike across is disgusting and would ultimately not work.

lastly, unless it's sweelee, don't have too high hopes on getting discounts. at the most ask for free picks, pack of strings or something trivial, and try ask the salesperson to round the total amount down.

that aside, always speak with respect, because mutual respect does benefit everyone.

my 2 centzzzzz

+1, brudder.

Don't slap me dude!

 

[firdaus]

ok sir this is how i would bargain firstly u have to know the avg price of the equipment that u r interested.then see the condition of the item how old is it,any damage and stuff... the way you speak is very important u need to sound confident and serious if not you will end up not having the discount and also try to be as polite as you can, and never be rude cause this will also prevent you from having the discount and also please say that you are a serious buyer and willing to self collect and do anything just for the discount........:mrgreen:

 

[busteraider]

Thanks for all the help guys... appreciate the comments

 

[thelaggyspy]

.

Personally i don't like to bargain because guitars are probably shipped from other countries such as the higher end ones like Ibanez Prestige,Fenders or Schecters which are made in faraway countries like Japan and the USA, Plus the idea of saying that a guitar is sold cheaper online to try to save a few dollars is plain stupid, there are always hidden shipping costs and you also need to buy shipping insurance and all that crap and you would also piss the salesperson off. My advice is don't bargain for the product itself but you can try asking for a free gig bag or something.

 

[dumbcube]

no lah... its just that i dunno how much 'discount' to ask for without being ridiculous... haha

If you don't know how much discount, then it means you aren't being a responsible enough buyer to do research. Then you shouldn't bargain in any case. It is frustrating as a seller when your buyer don't know what they are buying and then undercuts you to the point of ridiculous-ness (if I may invent this word, because I can't find any other word more apt than ridiculous), read 'lowballer'.