Why it pays for shoppers to haggle on prices

Shoppers often haggle when it's time to buy a car, but speaking up for a bargain can work away from the car lot. Consumer Reports has partnered exclusively with 7 On Your Side to show you where you can save some big bucks.

Who doesn't love a bargain? But lots of people don't like to ask for one. A national survey of 2,000 shoppers reveals that only about half tried negotiating in the last few years, but the Consumer Reports National Research Center finds it pays to speak up.

When Kaitlyn Deane goes shopping, she never pays full price.

"I love to haggle. It's nice to bargain down people on certain things that you want to get for yourself," said Deane.

Like Deane, most shoppers who haggle get a better deal.

"Eighty-nine percent of those who tried haggling for all sorts of goods and services were successful at it. Men, well they enjoyed haggling slightly more than women did, but women were equally as effective when they tried haggling," said Tod Marks, Consumer Reports.

What can you save? Consumer Reports survey found furniture shoppers saved a lot - $300 on average. Doctor and dentist bills also came down $300 when people negotiated, though fewer people tried. And people who haggled for appliances saved an average of $200. One secret to Deane's success - she's not afraid to speak up.

"Recently, on a shirt I just purchased there was a little stain on it, so I asked them for a percentage off, and they gave me 10 percent off," said Deane.

Marks had other winning strategies:

"The most popular tactic consumers told us that they used to get a discount was to simply tell the salesperson that they're going to check a competitor's prices," said Marks.

Marks said also effective, researching to find a competitive price before you negotiate.

"The only way you find out what a fair price is, is to check online forums, to check fliers, to check Web versus in-the-store prices," said Marks.

And Consumer Reports says it pays to be polite.

"Remember, you can catch more flies and discounts, with honey than you can with vinegar," said Marks.

Another area where you should consider negotiating is over bank and credit card fees. Consumer Reports says people who did saved an average of $100. Interesting to note, people are less likely to negotiate than they were five years ago - that's the last time Consumer Reports checked.

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.

(All Consumer Reports Material Copyright 2011. Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

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consumer reports, 7 on your side, michael finney

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