Do you love to bargain?

[piikki]

I find that scuba is THE thing where I end up doing the most bargaining of any kind of shopping at the moment. In no other area is such constant vigilance needed as a buyer. Nowhere else do I so often get the uncomfortable feeling that I need to bring up “what things REALLY cost”.

I do not like to bargain. I like things to have a price tag I can check against my ability and willingness to pay. I welcome sales but when I am successful in a bargain it just leaves me feeling somewhat odd. It is success but it’s like it’s also proof that you can be short-changed or even cheated any time if you are not pushy enough.

I do others things, and I price shop but it feels like in scuba price tags are more and more irrelevant – or even for dummies who do not open their mouths. Is this your experience too, and is this happening because this is what people want? Do you feel exhilarated when you have “bargained” and gotten your 10-40% etc. off ?? I think we are just getting cheated with some of this, and in the process the shopping experience gets really sucky for some of us who do not like the process of bargaining.

I just wanted to know if everyone loves to bargain. No middle-of the road poll options offered – if you didn’t need to bargain because prices are crazy would you still do it, too?

 

[PvtStash]

I dont relish the idea of having it out with my LDS over price issues; I'd much rather have a "fair" price already on the merchandise and not have to deal with the unpleasantness. This is not to say that I Wont bargain..., I have to... cannot afford otherwise, but I'm not intimidated by that, not after 7 mos. lurking on this board... I dont feel that he's going to be able to "surprise" me with any argument, and I'm ready to honestly explain my position in what I am willing to spend and see if he is willing to work with me at all.

Knowledge is power! 3 cheers for Scubaboard!!! Hip Hip Hooray!! (x3)

 

[Garrobo]

If there is any question about the price of something I ask the seller for his/her absolutely lowest price. If it is within the boundaries of what I will pay for he object I buy it. Otherwise I walk away.

 

[avlena]

... wait, you're supposed to bargain with LDS for scuba gear??? seriously??? i've never heard of that.

 

[BabyDuck]

keep reading, my padawan diver...

 

[drbill]

I HATE bargaining, but only because I'm so poor at it. I think I'm insulting the seller with my "low ball" offer... and then find someone else got the identical item from the seller for half of what I bid!

 

[Teamcasa]

Negotiating with a dive shop (or other retailers).

People routinely answer surveys that they hate to negotiate but in my experience says this is simply not true.
I used to manage 3 Saturn Dealerships. From its inception, Saturn retailers were told by the manufacturer that surveys indicate people hate to negotiate. Armed with this data Saturn’s were introduced as a one price for all program. They stuck to this for several years and it has failed completely. Turns out, people love to negotiate.

It is also cultural. We sell to a very diverse group of ethnicities. The Asian groups virtually require a negotiation process or they will simply not buy. Hispanic’s also fall into this category but generally not a strongly as the Asian buyer. The only category that does not routinely negotiate are older Caucasians and younger people (of all ethnicities) who have someone else paying the tab.

Side note: There are exceptions to everything, these generalities are simply my opinion.

 

[stisinai]

I don't like the idea knowing that I have to bargain when I buy stuff so that I don't get ripped off. It reminds me of the new car industry where their entire job is to try to give you the worst possible deal not only on the car you want to buy, but the car you are trading in and let's not forget the financing. A lot of people don't know that the typically the rate the car dealer gives you is not the best one they can offer.

I agree with people making money, and am all for it. but if you want to keep me as a customer I expect your profit margin on the stuff I buy to be consistent with the rest of the retail market and not be charging me double what I could buy it for elsewhere.

 

[Scott Riemer]

I enjoy the perception that I negotiated well (if I in fact did) after it's over. But, the actual process of negotiating is not enjoyable to me in the least. It makes me very apprehensive.

 

[Teamcasa]

I enjoy the perception that I negotiated well (if I in fact did) after it's over. But, the actual process of negotiating is not enjoyable to me in the least. It makes me very apprehensive.

Exactly!