How to save money by becoming a high street haggler and NOT get embarrassed
BRITS hate haggling - it's awkward, embarrassing, rude and so damned impolite. But by not doing it, we could be overpaying when we're shopping on the high street.
Haggling for a better price is something we give a go on holiday but it's a little known secret that it's still alive on our high streets too - you just have to know how.
Earlier this year, identified the top 10 high street stores where people had managed to get a discount.
Carphone Warehouse, TK Maxx and John Lewis came out on top, where over 70 per cent of people were successful in getting money off.
We wanted to put it to the test and see just what you need to do to get yourself a discount.
As it stands when you shop online, in stores or over the phone, no legal contract is made until money has changed hands.
Technically, shops don't have to accept your money even if you want to pay the price on the tag.
But that works both ways and you don't have to accept the asking price either. That said, not every retailer is willing to barter.
The Sun Online went to eight stores on Oxford Street to see if we could blag a discount.
While some stores wouldn't budge on their prices, we did manage to get an average of almost 13 per cent off in four stores.
On their own the discounts might seem small but they will all add up when it comes to the overall bill.
New Look, 15 per cent off
The biggest discount we scored was 15 per cent off a jumper in New Look. We pointed out some make up stains on it to the cashier who was more than willing to knock £3 off the £19.99 price tag.
Okay, so it wasn't in perfect condition but it also wasn't the only one on the shelf. The stain will wash off at home and after that it will look as good as the others in store.
The same thing happened when we pointed out marks on a top in Sports Direct, who gave us 10 per cent off. It's worth the added effort to get the discount.
The stores that wouldn't give a discount
WE tried eight different retailers to see if they would knock off the price of some of their stock. Here are the ones that wouldn't budge:
- Debenhams - Asked twice, once for a further discount on a coat in the sale, but they said now. Asked a different cashier for money off a matching purse if we bought the bag at full price. Still a no.
- Marks & Spencer - Wanted a discount on a coat.
- Clarks - Asked for a discount on a brand new pair of trainers that cost £110.
Carphone Warehouse, 20 per cent off the handset
The mobile phone store were more than happy to talk smaller numbers when it came to taking out a new mobile phone contract.
Within minutes of chatting with the salesperson, we were able to knock a tenner of the upfront price of a Google Pixel 2, which would've cost me £49.99.
But they weren't so keen to shift on the monthly contract fees, which means we'd still have to fork out the £42 a month for 24 months to EE.
TK Maxx, 3.3 per cent off
The high street clothes store gave us a small discount off a pair of designer heels after we pointed out that the there were markings on the bottom of the shoe.
After we asked for some money off for the imperfection, the cashier wasn't sure so she called her manager over.
At first the manager wasn't sure but we insisted that £10 off was a fair deal. He offered £5 of but wouldn't budge lower than that.
How to become a high street haggler
HOLLIE Borland, the Sun Online's Consumer reporter tried to blag a bargain using the gift of the gab in high street stores. Here's her tried and tested advice on how to be successfull:
Be confident: I was a bit nervous at first - my inner Brit was cringing at the thought of embarrassing myself but it actually wasn't that bad.
I found it easier when I had a reason for getting a discount, like pointing out a fault.
When I asked for a discount just because I didn't think something was worth the price tag, that was harder. But get over that feeling becauseit pays to be confident it's worth it.
Be nice: Chat to the cashier. If you've got time for the staff then they will have time to look into getting you a discount. Even if they say no after you've asked, don't get angry.
Look for imperfections: A bit of make up here or a slight smudge there might be all it takes to get you money off. If you don't mind washing the item before you wear it then it's worth asking for money off, just to get it cheaper.
Do your research: When you shop for big money items, like tech, shop around to see if you can get it cheaper anywhere else. They might match it or do you a deal.
Always ask: You never know until you ask. And what's the worst that can happen? They'll only say no and you've lost nothing.
Although we did manage to get some money off, they did tell me that I wouldn't be able to return the item because I'd basically acknowledged that it's faulty.
We also managed to get John Lewis to match the price on a laptop we found cheaper in Currys PC World.
THE BARTERNET Shoppers can save up to 20 per cent by haggling on stores’ web chat services say watchdogs
The staff did tell us the model was slightly different, had they been the same they would have been able to match it.
Even though we see this as a small victory, John Lewis put this down to their 'Never Knowingly Undersold' pledge, rather than haggling a discount.
The Sun Online contacted Sports Direct, TK Maxx and Carphone Warehouse but they have not yet come back to us. New Look did not wish to comment.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at money@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 78 24516
Find discount codes for TK Maxx with The Sun Vouchers