North Olmsted: Tips to haggle your way to holiday shopping bargains

NORTH OLMSTED -- In this tough economy, everybody wants to make their hard-earned dollar go a little farther. When it comes to the holiday season, many retailers trying to spur sales are becoming open to the concept of haggling.

The old "take it or leave it" price tag is quietly changing in some stores. There are some places where the salesperson expects you to haggle.

If you are buying a car, everybody at that dealership is prepared to play the game. On the other hand, many big box retailers refuse to budge from the sales price marked on the item.

Patrick Friery, the manager of the Target store at Steelyard Commons in Cleveland, shook his head when asked about haggling.

"We're not able to do anything like that," said Friery. "Even if we wanted to do it, corporate policy forbids it."

One group of retailers who seem most open to negotiating a sales price are consumer electronics vendors.

At hhgregg in North Olmsted, salesman Mohammed Wahdan said, "We can negotiate as long as what you're asking is reasonable. We're here to help you guys out."

One of the keys is knowing your price point. You can't haggle effectively if you don't do your homework before you walk in the store.

1. Research the prices.
2.  Be discreet. Try to move away from other customers so that the salesperson isn't concerned about broadcasting the deal.
3.  Always be prepared to walk away if you don't get your price.

Kim Smith was heading into a store and said, "It's much easier if you're buying more than one item. All they can do is say no."

Smith added, "Be willing to walk away if they say no. You have to be willing to walk away. It's like playing poker."

We listened in as Guy Greszler and his son, Justin were huddled with hhgregg salesman Stu Rau over the proposed purchase of a 46-inch plasma television and a set of HDMI cables.

The Greszlers had already done their comparative research on prices and drove from Wakeman, Ohio to make a deal.

When Rau said, "How about $850 out the door, plus tax." Guy's immediate response was, "Oh come on now, you're killing me here."

But before Guy and Justin could stand up to leave, Rau countered with a lower price. Justin said, "that's with the HDMI cable? We're only talking a couple of bucks. You can't give me that for $20?"

Rau ran the numbers on his computer screen and said, "Well, yeah, why not!"

Another important key to effective haggling is to shop at an owner-run store.

Joyce Lundmark is the owner of the Apple Core clothing and accessories store in Rocky River.

When asked about customers haggling, Lundmark said, "Depending on the item we can give them anywhere from 10-20 percent additional off the sales price."

Another tip: try to shop in off peak hours. If the store if packed with non-haggling customers, the sales staff will be less inclined to deal with you.

Many store owners and managers don't want to pack and ship back merchandise that didn't sell. They will be more inclined to lose a little money selling it you than eating the expense of returning the items.

The dilemma for hagglers is that, by waiting until the holiday is almost over, you can get a better deal. However, the item you want may be sold out.

If you are buying homemade speciality items at a marketplace, don't forget that the salesperson may also be the person who crafted the item.

Don't insult them by lowballing them with an extremely low price. In fact, the more you flatter them with positive comments about the item, the more they may be inclined to make sure it goes home with someone who appreciates it.

You can always say, "That's a lovely piece, but I just don't have that much money."

If they respond with a lower price, the haggle has begun.