Many of us are in the habit of just handing over money and paying up whenever we’re quoted a price or receive a bill. But this is an illogical way of conducting yourself, particularly in a market system where every seller is trying to get the highest price possible.
The trick is to find ways to avoid paying more than strictly necessary. It’s not about avoiding spending money altogether. Instead, it’s a matter of negotiating the price down and standing up for yourself.
Want to know how to avoid paying more than necessary? Read on to learn more:
Brush Up On Your Negotiation Skills
The first step in the process is to brush up on your negotiation skills. Don’t just assume that the asking price is what you will eventually pay. Usually, it isn’t.
In most cases, the higher the price, the higher the margin. Therefore, if you notice that a seller is charging more than a rival, it probably means that they are trying to increase the amount of profit that they are making. Consequently, they may accept a lower price, as long as you don’t tell other customers about it.
Avoid Fines
Thanks to ever-present traffic officers and parking wardens, fines are almost inevitable these days. People must shell out hundreds of dollars every year paying off tickets. It’s a big drain on some individual’s finances.
Sites, like TicketBust, say that there is a solution: fight the ticket. Remember, the law isn’t always right. Sometimes officers make mistakes, and that means that you might not be liable to pay.
Tell Sellers That Things Aren’t Good Enough
Telling sellers that their service isn’t good enough is a good psychological trick which automatically causes them to search for ways to make your situation better. They might lower the price or, more commonly, offer you extra as compensation.
Use Coupons
Another strategy is to use coupons. Companies issue these because they know there are some customers who will refuse to shop with them unless they offer discounts or money off.
It can take time and patience to find coupons, but it is well worth it. The discounts that you can get on your items is often tremendous.
Go Online
Going online is another powerful tool for saving money. You can find great deals on products that you never knew existed, or find substitutes for the things that you thought you wanted at a lower price.
Ask
Another option is to simply ask the seller, “is this your best price?” Many times, they will tell you flat out, “yes” but if it is a corner shop, an independent store or garage, they may be willing to lower it. In a lot of situations, they are just keen to make the sale.
Walk Away
Lastly, you might want to try just walking away and see whether the seller then offers you their best price. In many cases, sellers play hard ball, believing that you will cave and purchase at the regular retail price. However, if they sense a sale slipping away, they may be willing to offer a discount to keep it.
Be safe out there.
Stanley
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