Calling all bargainers! Credit: silverfox09/Flickr
I receive a decent number of emails from folks casting a new TV show related to saving money. But the guy casting this Pro Bargainers show actually called me and asked me for feedback and answered my questions about the show he described. My take: two thumbs up.
So if you’ve thought about responding to a casting call but hesitated, don’t miss this opportunity. Email Zach at tv_casting19@yahoo.com for more info. You can always opt not to participate later! He is mainly looking for folks in the LA or NY area.
T Hoffarth / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Have you ever caved into buying an item at a higher price because you didn’t want to be perceived as cheap? Last weekend, I did just that at the Santa Monica Pier, a major tourist attraction in California.
My family and I headed to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to grab drinks. At the front of the line I was faced with a major decision.
A literal use of an anchor. Credit: Beth Rankin/Flickr
Current or original price. What resonates with you when considering a purchase?
A blog called You Are Not So Smart argues that even the savviest bargain hunters, like you and me, are swayed by the original price, called the anchoring effect. I’d never heard of the term anchoring effect until reading this post, but the concept is very familiar. You Are Not So Smart shares this scenario:
You walk into a clothing store and see what is probably the most bad ass leather jacket you’ve ever seen.
You try it on, look in the mirror and decide you must have it. While wearing this item, you imagine onlookers will clutch their chests and gasp every time you walk into a room or cross a street. You lift the sleeve to check the price – $1,000.
Well, that’s that, you think. You start to head back to the hanger when a salesperson stops you.
“You like it?”
My new hat debuted at the polo game, far left.
I bought a smashing white hat with a wide brim – perfect for providing shade on the beach or at a summer party – at Banana Republic this weekend. The hat was already on sale by 25% off, seeing how it’s late July, but I didn’t stop at that.
I noticed two imperfections on the hat and asked for 10-20% off at the register. Under the brim, two pieces of woven material were flaking off. More importantly, a square inch section of the very top of hat was slightly smashed in. The hat had clearly been picked over by others, but given an extra discount I was a willing customer.
My lastest video with WalletPop.com put my negotiating skills into action. Make sure to watch this is you want to know how to talk a merchant into giving you a discount.
World's greatest candy bar. Credit: Like_The_Grand_Canyon/Flickr
My sister was elated with her latest score. She haggled for a snickers bar and saved a quarter.
I’m telling you this because haggling is one of my top ways to save money on holiday presents. (Holiday sales are expected to grow by a healthy amount this winter, which tells me you are likely gearing up for a major purchase.) Here is my crash course in haggling. (more…)
shimelle/Flickr
Has saving money ever caused you embarrassment? I unwittingly shamed two friends one night after we walked into a cupcake store, hungry for sugar. We greeted the cashier and surveyed the sweets, almost a dozen on the shelf. I smelled a discount.
“How late are you open? I asked.
Until ten, he said. It was eight-thirty.
“You have a lot of cupcakes left. Do you think you’ll be able to sell them all?”
He laughed nervously. “Maybe.”
“We’d like to buy some of your cupcakes. How about a discount, say 10-20% off?
“Okay, 10%.”
I grinned at my friends. “What kind do you want?”
We kept it simple: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. As the cashier was boxing the cupcakes up, he made me a counter offer. (more…)
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If you missed this post, check out my guide to asking for a discount, aka haggling!
