richopp,
Thanks. It is interesting to see how things work on the other side. I am just not sure why a manufacturer thought it was fine to call people home (I assume it was before cell phones) and ask how much they paid for what. Or someone calling you at night to ask what is going on with their equipment. Different times, I guess.
I was prompted to ask what you would do if someone walked in, the way I would, by benjie's statement a few posts above. He thought the salesperson would not take me seriously and would say anything to get rid of me. I think I also became a jerk somewhere in that statement because I would ask straight forward and not negotiate afterwards. Maybe the most important aspect for me is skipping any further discussion and surprise about price. MSRP is fine with me, but further push-pull games are not. Which is what this thread really started about. In reality, I never thought of asking for discount on electronics or expected it existed.
Of course, a good advice is always welcome but these days that is lacking wherever you go. Some of the experiences in audio stores are baffling although it is not limited to audio stores.
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richopp,
That was an interesting look back. In particular that part about a locksmith. I did witness once a man driving off a BMW through the window of the dealership after he had come in a few times and established some "relationship" with salespeople. I also sat in the car at the red light when a person crossing the street tried to take the emblem off of it. I honked and he walked away. Very strange.
Now, I am curious. You have some experience in sales, even if it was long ago. In case a person, me although really just a person from the street, walked in your store and said he was interested in some item, clearly stating the model etc., and asked what would be the lowest price you would sell it to him what would you have thought or done? Would you consider it a potential sale and quickly figure out what you would sell it for, even if it is MSRP? Would you consider a person not being serious at all and maybe try to get rid of him? Is there anything else you would do or think in that situation?
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geoffkait, "Please pass the popcorn! 🍿 "
Be careful, popcorn is not good for dentures. |
jay23, Groceries were not my analogy but gnoworyta's (OP's) although I do approach any shopping in the same way. What is so "sacred" about high end audio equipment that it should be exempt from a break in price? Televisions, computers, appliances, cars, lawn equipment, clothing - even groceries: I look for and expect to get some kind of deal. |
jay23,
No, I don't. Does anything like that even exist? I mean, local audio stores.
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benjie,
I may not have negotiating skills but I spare you from whining about squeezing a few percent from some sale. If goal when shopping is to be taken seriously, I may fail sometimes according to you although I do not recall anybody trying to get rid of me. Quite the opposite.
clearthink,
I understand the nature of business relationships relatively well. I focus on the side of not wasting energy by negotiating. I simply do not get my kicks out of outsmarting the other guy. I pay if I like it, I do not pay if I don’t like it. You are right, it is not negotiation but action and behavior. I do not know if it would qualify as technique. Salesperson knows how much is a certain item worth to her/him. If that is more than what it is worth to me, the item would be better served by staying with her/him. No hard feelings. Saves everyone's time.
This whole thread shows that many are obsessed about getting a discount for things that are so non-essential that they could exercise a little bit of dignity instead of bad-mouthing some struggling salesperson trying to make a living. Buy lesser model if you cannot afford more expensive one. Then change fuses and it will be even better than what you wanted in the first place. So the legend says.
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benjie, "So I guess when you guys go to buy a car you pay sticker price for it, no negotiation just pay the price." Walk in, ask for final price making sure the dealer is aware there will be no negotiations afterwards, if for whatever reason it is not acceptable...walk out. It makes it simpler. Stamp collecting can become an expensive hobby. |
To scramble above post a bit, but not too much... If you did that in my shop, you would be standing by yourself as I would have laughed at you and walked away.
YOUR bad behavior in my shop would have resulted in you leaving with nothing.
We "fired" customers every year at xmas--idiots...
That is what we wanted, so that is the business plan we executed.
Happened a lot more than I thought, which is one reason I sold the shop.
I am amazed at the lack of business intelligence so far in this thread.
Aside of that, I understand and agree with richopp's views. |
What is so "sacred" about high end audio equipment that it should be exempt from a break in price? Televisions, computers, appliances, cars, lawn equipment, clothing - even groceries: I look for and expect to get some kind of deal. Nothing is sacred, but who has ever walked in the grocery store and asked a cashier 10% off lettuce or milk? I doubt it would fly at my local farmer’s market although I never thought of trying. Why does it seem that asking for discount is expected? Why not just ask what the price is and accept, or not? What the heck, just buy the lesser model and no time or energy is wasted. That may be worth 10% right there. Does everyone really enjoy negotiations? |
