Getting the best deal possible when shopping for an antique or vintage item is always the goal. The good news is, times are tough and store owners want to make a sale!
That is good news for a buyer or collector.
7 Tips for Haggling
1. Careful what you say out loud! Whether or not you intend to collect the item for yourself or resell it is none of anyone’s business, but a shop owner may be offended if
you start telling her how fun it is to sell items on eBay. The shop owner may or may not know the demand of the item you have your eyes on, best keep your cool and say
as little as possible. Try to keep a poker face.
2. Shop during the off season. If you are in a high traffic area which is a draw for locals and tourists you are shopping in the middle of peak season, you may not get the deal you are looking for. If you shop during the off season, the shop owner will be GLAD you stopped in and more likely to make you a deal.
3. Make sure you talk to the owner of the shop to get the best deal. If you don’t get to make a deal that moment, don’t be afraid to come back. If you are only in town for a day, make sure you get contact information and let them know when you will be back. The goal of any shop owner is to make money, your goal is to get a good deal.
4. You can either make an offer, or ask for a % discount. Another good way to get the price you want is to buy several items, that way everyone wins. Using the right language always helps and don’t forget to smile!
5. Use positive body language. Always smile and don’t be afraid to ask the owner who they are? Why they got into antiques and what they love about their business. When you build a positive rapport with your dealers, you will have a much better experience. Make a relationship with your dealers. Get to know them by name, get to know who they are and if you love collecting, it will show. People respond to positive body language, but also to bad presentation. Be sure to have fresh breath! Sounds like common sense, but if you just ate a tuna fish sandwich with extra garlic, you may not get the deal you were looking for. Dressing well also get respect and all of these little tricks add up to getting the great bargain price you are looking for. Pay compliments, let the shop owner know you will tell everyone about her amazing store and send more buyers her way, even if you want to keep your amazing new location for goodies all to yourself!
6. Find out when the shop gets “new” items in or when they may be having a sale. Sounds simple, but if you don’t ask, then you will always pay full price. Sometimes the best ways to get amazing deals is to use common sense.
7. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for the best price. “Is this the best price you can give me?” And don’t be afraid to make an offer. Rehearse what you are going to say to get your best price on any item and if you find a method that works use that method every time and don’t forget to make eye contact.
Hope you get the very BEST deal possible!
I never thought about watching what I said in regards to future uses for items I’m buying. It’s true though, if I was selling an item and I heard that they were simply going to repaint it or resell it. I might not want to sell them the item for such a low price anymore. I’m definitely going to have to remember this when I go out to look for antiques again. Thank you for the information!