So here it is, how to haggle for a cheap laptop at PCWorld instore! Not too long ago, many consumers avoid trying to haggle with salespeople for bargains for various social and cultural reasons. For instance, some may feel embarrassed about looking cheap while others are simply too timid to risk being rejected. More recently, statistics have indicated that approximately ten percent of consumers will try to bargain for better prices every single time they shop and, as a result, hagglin
g “experts” have emerged, offering a plethora of tips and tricks to getting a better price on just about any product imaginable.
One of the most popular consumer products today are of course cheap laptops. Just about everyone has one and those who don’t usually feel like they need one. Coincidentally, they are also rather pricey pieces of technology so getting a better deal could be extremely beneficial to just about anyone. While some people are naturally inclined to bargain with salespeople and get their way, some people don’t have any idea how or why they always end up leaving the store, defeated. Below are some very effective tips for haggling down the price of a laptop along with a detailed explanation as to why they are so effective.
be resasonable
The first and most important tip is to be reasonable. Very rarely will anyone get away with outrageous savings and, in fact, usually end up merely irritating the sales personnel. They are in no way entitled to give you a discount simply because you want one, so it is best to keep in mind that you are at the mercy of the salesperson until a deal has been made. Starting off by asking for an unreasonable discount is offensive, especially to a commissioned salesperson, and that’s not exactly the impression you want to give. To avoid being unreasonable, do some research to find out the lowest available retail price for the laptop you want and don’t go anymore than 20% or 25% below that. You will also avoid disappointing yourself if you set the maximum amount you’re willing to spend before going out to make the laptop purchase.
be pleasant
The next tip that goes hand in hand with the above is to remain pleasant. Again, it is purely up to the PcWorld salesperson to give you a discount or not, so being demanding or arrogant will get you absolutely nowhere. On the contrary, being friendlier than the average consumer will almost always help a haggler. Try asking the salesperson’s name and use it when speaking to them. It also helps to consider the mood and circumstance of the actual salesperson. Speak to the person that seems the most approachable and do so during non-peak times, like midweek afternoons. Trying to talk a salesperson into giving you a break when there are ten other people lined up and ready to make a purchase is not a good idea.
be prepared
As for what to actually say, start off by telling them you’re looking for a bit of a better price and try to get them to make an offer before suggesting any particular amount. Something along the lines of, “Is there any kind of discount you can offer me? I was hoping to spend a little less than that,” is a perfectly neutral way to begin a negotiation. Remaining neutral will help you figure out how much you can ask for without being flat out refused. Knowing how much to ask for is easier if you have an ad from a different company advertising a lower price for the same cheap laptop. You can tell the salesperson at PcWorld that you can get it cheaper elsewhere and show them you’re not bluffing.
get extras rather than a discount
Sometimes, it’s virtually impossible to get a discount on the actual cheap laptop itself. This, however, does not mean you can’t still walk away with some sort of a bargain. If you’re being told that the price of the laptop is the lowest they can offer, ask them to add in a free accessory or two. All salespeople will try to add accessories when selling laptops anyway so they’ll be likely to add at least one small item (such as a case) in order to secure the whole sale. Similar to this method would be to purchase PcWorld’s extended warranty in exchange for a discount and then cancel the warranty within the allowed period.
walk away if its no good
As a last resort, thanking the salesperson and turning to leave is a lot better than giving in to them and paying full price. Often enough, the salesperson will hesitate, reconsider, and quickly decide to offer you something to avoid losing you altogether. In any case, aggressive strategies like offering cash, threatening to never return as a customer, and causing a scene may have miraculously worked for some in the past, though in today’s evolved consumer market, the above tips are proven to be both successful and shame free.
