How to barter?

[TheColourAwesome]

I found a nice piece of stereo equipment at a pawn shop. It's $400 in store and about $450 online. I have about $370 in cash but I want to see if I can get away with asking $300 by flashing the cash over the counter.

Kind of a dick move but dems business. It's going to cost me about $400 for a pair of DIY speakers and $100 for a Digital-to-analog converter so I can justify it. This is the first time I've attempted to barter. Got any tips?

It's been a while since so it may even be gone but it's nice to think about.

[PimpNFresh]

Well if it has been a few months and the item is still there listed at the same price, I am pretty sure the pawn shop will take any reasonable offer.

[supergandhi64]

be polite and say "please" a lot, it will appeal to their pathos and your ethos

--supergandhi64

[TheColourAwesome]

At 3/1/13 10:41 AM, supergandhi64 wrote: be polite and say "please" a lot, it will appeal to their pathos and your ethos

--supergandhi64

I was going to focus more on confidence but this is good also. They don't actually know what it's worth since they priced the piece of gear next to it at the same price because it kind of looks similar even though it's about $200 lower everywhere else.

The guy didn't even know what it was called so I had to point at it.

[jhypsyshah]

used electronics can have some issues. I think as far as personal property goes, it seems like they degrade the fastest.

I'd try not to haggle in digits of 5 to 10, as it seems less realistic. maybe get them to throw in something to sweeten the deal, that ya need, if they won't go down?

[tox]

If a pawn shop is willing to lower in price.. They are either trying to move product that no smarter person would buy.. Or they are hiding something from you and selling close to retail for a pos

And they dont care about how much you have... It is about how much they have after that they care about.. Thats why they are a pawn shop...

You are only trying to swindle a swindler... And they hold all the cards..

[TheColourAwesome]

At 3/1/13 11:02 AM, jhypsyshah wrote: used electronics can have some issues. I think as far as personal property goes, it seems like they degrade the fastest.

yea, amps are no exception to this. The upside is that the solid-state Integrated amplify will already be burned in created a richer, warmer sound. I'll definitely get them to plug it in and text it out.

I'd try not to haggle in digits of 5 to 10, as it seems less realistic. maybe get them to throw in something to sweeten the deal, that ya need, if they won't go down?

5 and 10s? I doubt they'll have anything else I want, but maybe.

[ZeroAsALimit]

That is haggling, friend, barter is where you exchange goods, services or goods and services for goods, services or goods and services.

Uh, I've seen someone succeed with haggling in a store once, but she was a very attractive girl and, I think, I frequent customer in this store which was local to her and not as chain.

Plus, it was a newsagents and not a pawn shop, I think a pawn shop will be less likely to allow that.

[Mismo]

Become Commander Shepard and endorse their store.

But seriously though, first raise the question "Can I get these but for less cost" of course they will say no. Also don't ask the common cashier, ask for the manger or something. A good tactic is to lie and say that you've seen them for much less online like 300$. Say that you have cash with you and are willing to pay that amount. They will of course still not be inclined to do so. Then you offer them more like 320 or 350. If that doesn't work you could try be ballsy and just walk out of there, because they might stop you since you have shown interest and of course they want to sell their stuff to you. They might be more inclined now to make a deal and if that happens they might say I can't let it go for that prise. Then you offer them you offer them a little more or all you have (if you to want to that is) and if that doesn't work well, then you're out of luck.

There is no guarantee this will even work, it's just a good way to go about it.

[jhypsyshah]

5 and 10s? I doubt they'll have anything else I want, but maybe.

Yeah, like saying that ya find it elsewhere for exactly 250 or that ya can't go below that price, isn't as believable as say using a number with odd(er) digits. With variables to consider such as "but it will take some gas to get there" or "too much time to ship" or something.

Some pawn shops will carry new things from wholesalers, if they think they can sell them. They might have a 'music guy' in there who deals with those things.

They might be less inclined to negotiate if they're busier, you could ask them to take care of other customers first. If a busy showroom hears that you are whittling down the price then they might get the idea that they can do that too and that may annoy them.

Sometimes it's all marked up to give everyone a 'special price'..it kills the charm if everyone overhears that they're all getting the same pitch.

good luck. XD

[TheColourAwesome]

At 3/1/13 11:09 AM, tox wrote: If a pawn shop is willing to lower in price.. They are either trying to move product that no smarter person would buy.. Or they are hiding something from you and selling close to retail for a pos

That's a pretty negative assumption to have? I mean, sure. I understand these places can be dodgy, much more so than your stranded K-mart or other corporate business but really? I think, and it may not even be there anymore, the reason it's there is because where I live there is no music culture. People aren't interested in spending the money in improve Nikki Manjas catty vocals and for that reason it's a specialist item.

And they dont care about how much you have... It is about how much they have after that they care about.. Thats why they are a pawn shop...

ah alright.

You are only trying to swindle a swindler... And they hold all the cards..

ehhhhhh, I think you're being a bit dramatic here.

At 3/1/13 11:16 AM, ZeroAsALimit wrote: That is haggling, friend, barter is where you exchange goods, services or goods and services for goods, services or goods and services.

My bad.

Uh, I've seen someone succeed with haggling in a store once, but she was a very attractive girl and, I think, I frequent customer in this store which was local to her and not as chain.

Will tight fitting jeans and a well placed boner help?

At 3/1/13 11:16 AM, Mismo wrote: There is no guarantee this will even work, it's just a good way to go about it.

I enjoy Pawn Stars also.

At 3/1/13 11:27 AM, jhypsyshah wrote: Yeah, like saying that ya find it elsewhere for exactly 250 or that ya can't go below that price, isn't as believable as say using a number with odd(er) digits. With variables to consider such as "but it will take some gas to get there" or "too much time to ship" or something.

Oh, ok. Makes sense.

Some pawn shops will carry new things from wholesalers, if they think they can sell them. They might have a 'music guy' in there who deals with those things.

They might be less inclined to negotiate if they're busier, you could ask them to take care of other customers first. If a busy showroom hears that you are whittling down the price then they might get the idea that they can do that too and that may annoy them.

Sometimes it's all marked up to give everyone a 'special price'..it kills the charm if everyone overhears that they're all getting the same pitch.

This place is a tiny shit hole in a shit hole town so I doubt it. They're never busy. This is by far the only gem in the store.

good luck. XD

Thank you.

I'm pretty anxious about this. I was never originally going to spend more than $200 on an older amp from the 80's. Integrated amps really haven't changed much for the better in the past 30 years so getting an older amp with a good brand attached is a smart idea (there's a good article on Cnet about this).

I feel the extra $100 is worth it since it's such a nice, new amp. It doesn't have any of the shit you don't need that ramps up the price like Bluetooth and Dolbey. I would be seriously pushing my budget if I paid closed to $400.

Here's what it is btw. The one in the shop is silver.

Here's an example of an older amp.

[Mismo]

At 3/1/13 11:37 AM, TheColourAwesome wrote:

At 3/1/13 11:16 AM, Mismo wrote: There is no guarantee this will even work, it's just a good way to go about it.

I enjoy Pawn Stars also.

I don't watch that show.

[Halberd]

Just go for it

and if you fail then raise additional money and buy it online or wait for another bargain price

[tox]

Bro.. No.. Like some things are absolutely ok to buy..
A cd.. Disk.. Game.. Depending on the stats a tv... Or monitor

But for things like diamonds.. Guitars.. Power tools.. Speakers.. Sport equipment.. Basic electronics.. Speakers.. Musical instruments cameras..

This that will take wear and tare before they break.. Thats where pawn shops get ya.. Because they look for that minor crack in the neck of a guitar.. The chip in the arm on the bow.. The condition of the rubber on an amp or speaker.. The inlay and dash on the elecronics.. Then say... Yeah.. Its in perfect shape.. When really it will only last the next 6 months.. Because the person before you abused it and it should have lasted for years but they were smart about it and sold it right before it started to nose dive and die... Something i dont want to see you get into because its a waste of money for you

[TheColourAwesome]

At 3/1/13 11:43 AM, Mismo wrote: I don't watch that show.

You pretty much described every episode of pawn stars.

At 3/1/13 11:44 AM, Halberd wrote: Just go for it

and if you fail then raise additional money and buy it online or wait for another bargain price

I think I will. Thank you late night Mr. Halberd.

[Mismo]

At 3/1/13 11:50 AM, TheColourAwesome wrote:

At 3/1/13 11:43 AM, Mismo wrote: I don't watch that show.

You pretty much described every episode of pawn stars.

Lol, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[TheColourAwesome]

At 3/1/13 11:49 AM, tox wrote: This that will take wear and tare before they break.. Thats where pawn shops get ya.. Because they look for that minor crack in the neck of a guitar.. The chip in the arm on the bow.. The condition of the rubber on an amp or speaker.. The inlay and dash on the elecronics.. Then say... Yeah.. Its in perfect shape.. When really it will only last the next 6 months.. Because the person before you abused it and it should have lasted for years but they were smart about it and sold it right before it started to nose dive and die... Something i dont want to see you get into because its a waste of money for you

No.. I do know what you're saying.. Maybe I could ask them to put it aside and take sum pics. I'll examen it to the raw bone. I'm interested in this stuff anyway and there are good forums for this sort of thing so if it needs work I can fix it maybe. I know where you are coming from. Thank you. But I kind of want to take the risk. You need some optimism.

Bad experience?

[jhypsyshah]

I'm pretty anxious about this. I was never originally going to spend more than $200 on an older amp from the 80's. Integrated amps really haven't changed much for the better in the past 30 years so getting an older amp with a good brand attached is a smart idea (there's a good article on Cnet about this).

I feel the extra $100 is worth it since it's such a nice, new amp. It doesn't have any of the shit you don't need that ramps up the price like Bluetooth and Dolbey. I would be seriously pushing my budget if I paid closed to $400.

Here's what it is btw. The one in the shop is silver.

Here's an example of an older amp.

I have a step father who buys some of the older gear, I think he has to replace some of the degraded parts, sometimes, after he gets it. I don't know a lot about it but I think he might go after the older stuff with the tubes in it or the pre-amps?

I remember seeing alot more people and places that repaired electronics made in the 80's but it seems they don't bother doing that as much with the newer stuff. It's interesting tho', I would guess they were more generous with the materials and quality of the components?

I've known a few people to pay for gear (usually acoustic) by talking the owner into letting them take it outside and busk with it for a few, till they got the funds raised, hehe. XD

[TheColourAwesome]

At 3/1/13 11:52 AM, Mismo wrote: Lol, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Good, if you're not unlucky enough to deal with the cashiers they do on the show.

At 3/1/13 11:58 AM, jhypsyshah wrote: I have a step father who buys some of the older gear, I think he has to replace some of the degraded parts, sometimes, after he gets it. I don't know a lot about it but I think he might go after the older stuff with the tubes in it or the pre-amps?

That's cool mang. Integrated amps have pre-amps built into them. Tube amps are pure analog sound so they are very expensive audiophile only stuff.

I remember seeing alot more people and places that repaired electronics made in the 80's but it seems they don't bother doing that as much with the newer stuff. It's interesting tho', I would guess they were more generous with the materials and quality of the components?

Yeah, kind of. It's works out cheap because some of the best consumer grade stuff from the 80's is better than the average stuff now. But the more expensive, modern stuff is still better than the older stuff.

It's like a Chevy is better than a Civic but not a Ferrari.

I've known a few people to pay for gear (usually acoustic) by talking the owner into letting them take it outside and busk with it for a few, till they got the funds raised, hehe. XD

Hahaha

[TheColourAwesome]

Ok guyz. It's still there. Should I haggle over the phone or when I get there? I don't want them to look it up.

[notYert]

skip the time wasting and just tell them straight up that you want it but are only willing to pay $300

[Nor]

inb4 skyrim

[TheColourAwesome]

At 3/1/13 08:26 PM, notYert wrote: skip the time wasting and just tell them straight up that you want it but are only willing to pay $300

ya, was going to just walk in say $300 and flash my ball of cash.

[Ragnarokia]

Any respectable business other than pawn brokers these days will not haggle. Even they likely won't do it. A proper business on the highstreet have their prices set and will stick to them unless they personally decide to lower or raise them. If they allow for haggling they will ruin both their profits and their reputation, being seen as somewhere which is lowered to the state where they can't demand the actual price from their customers.

[Cyberdevil]

At 3/1/13 08:26 PM, notYert wrote: skip the time wasting and just tell them straight up that you want it but are only willing to pay $300

Sounds like the best way to go about it, just being direct.

[BumFodder]

At 3/1/13 10:38 AM, TheColourAwesome wrote: I found a nice piece of stereo equipment at a pawn shop. It's $400 in store and about $450 online. I have about $370 in cash but I want to see if I can get away with asking $300 by flashing the cash over the counter.

Him: This costs $400
You: Thats way too much, what about $300
Him: $375
You: $350

DONE

[Cyberdevil]

At 3/2/13 08:55 AM, BumFodder wrote: Him: This costs $400
You: Thats way too much, what about $300
Him: $375
You: $350

DONE

Alternatively...

Him: This costs $400
You: Thats way too much, what about $100
Him: $375
You: $125
Him: $350
You: $150
Him: $325
You: $175
Him: $300
You: $200
Him: $275
You: $225
Him: $250
You: DEAL

Or it could go like this...

Him: This costs $400
You: Thats way too much, what about $100
Him: $400
You: $200?
Him: $400
You: $300?
Him: $400
You: ...

[jhypsyshah]

At 3/2/13 07:18 AM, Ragnarokia wrote: Any respectable business other than pawn brokers these days will not haggle. Even they likely won't do it. A proper business on the highstreet have their prices set and will stick to them unless they personally decide to lower or raise them. If they allow for haggling they will ruin both their profits and their reputation, being seen as somewhere which is lowered to the state where they can't demand the actual price from their customers.

Not true, there are plenty of business that are willing to negotiate. though it more common for americans to fall for the word SALE instead. Alot of people will buy something that they do not need, merely because a sign says it's 80% off. Some smaller businesses still do it, for instance, especially if it's marked up for a middleman (such as a designer) to earn a commission. If the middleman is cut out then they might be willing to drop the cut that would go to them. Plenty of foreign small business owners in america will still haggle.