A friend recently shared the story of her dad trying to negotiate prices at a major supermarket chain—to little success, unsurprisingly. While I don’t recommend trying to barter at your local Walmart, it is true that haggling goes on at more places than flea markets and car dealerships.
If you’ve ever tried to negotiate a salary or argue down your rent, you have haggling muscles to flex. Here are some unexpected items and services with prices you might not have realized are open to negotiation.
Mattresses
When it comes to mattresses, generally you can consider the sticker price just the starting point. These retailers usually have some (or a lot of) wiggle room in their pricing.
Before entering a mattress store, do your research. Compare prices and features of different brands and models online. You can also go to several mattress stores and inquire about their offerings. Mention that you’re shopping around and considering other options to see what kind of deal your salesperson throws out to win your business.
Don’t be afraid to directly ask for a discount, or maybe even perks like free delivery, mattress protectors, or an extended warranty. Salespeople are often authorized to offer these additional perks if it makes the difference in closing a sale.
Internet service
Internet service providers (ISPs) are not immune to haggling. Here’s how to argue down the bill on your internet service:
Before you call your internet, cable, or phone provider to secure a better rate, you have to do your research. Familiarize yourself with the prices and packages offered by other providers in your area. (If there’s only one ISP servicing your area, you might be out of luck.)
Then, call customer service and express your concerns about your current pricing. Mention that you are considering switching providers due to better offers elsewhere. Be prepared to actually cancel your service and switch providers—your goal is to be kicked to your ISP’s retention department, which can offer you special deals to keep you as a customer. Loyalty pays off!
Appliances and electronics
While large retail stores may not be as flexible with pricing as smaller businesses, you can still try to negotiate for better deals on appliances and electronics.
If you’re buying multiple items, it could be worth asking for a package deal or a discount on certain items. Again, retailers may be more inclined to offer discounts and bundle purchases to make a larger sale.
Another tip, from Insider: Look for floor models or open-box items, since these items are often marked down to account for any wear and tear they’ve suffered (which is often not much). Also a good bet: Find a lower price at another store, and ask if the retailer can beat that price, or throw in other perks.
Furniture and home decor
Furniture shopping is a prime time for haggling—so long as you know your stuff. One strategy is to point out flaws or imperfections in a piece of furniture you’re considering. If you notice any scratches, dents, or other issues, use them as bargaining chips to negotiate a lower price. And if negotiations are not going well, be ready to leave the store. As always, this tactic can motivate the salesperson to offer you a better deal.
Another tip: Always buy during sales or clearance events (though these are a seeming constant in the furniture world).
The bottom line
The basics of haggling apply, whatever you’re looking to pick up: You just need to know what products are viable ground to try out your negotiation skills. Then, do your research, come prepared, and be ready to walk away.
If you’re talking in person to a live salesperson, that’s a good sign you can embrace the art of haggling. The worst that can happen is that they’ll say no.
