How to Bargain

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Hey friends!
A few weeks ago we had a request on the message board for a Real Life Lesson on bargaining. Andy313 wrote us to say, “Could you please teach us how to haggle over the price? You know, sometimes we don’t(buy things)in the store but (on) the street. Usually I can’t talk them to give me a discount. There are many tricks for haggle in my country but I don’t think they all can be used in North America… so what’s your style?”
Thanks for the great question Andy313! In the lesson and discussion below I will give you some tips that will help answer your question!

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Where to Bargain
It is perfectly acceptable to bargain or even haggle over prices from a salesperson in many situations. However, there are also places where it is not appropriate to do so.
Feel free to negotiate a good price at most open air markets, swap meets or flea markets. You can also do this at any garage sale or yard sale, and at many Farmer’s markets. Usually it is fine to bargain if you are buying something directly from the person who made it, grew it, or who owns something that they now want to sell.
An exception to this rule is bargaining when you are buying somehing very expensive like a house or a car. In these situations it is a good idea to get the best deal you can. Usually bargaining for expensive things is called negotiating.
You should not bargain in grocery stores, department stores, at the mall or in a restaurant.
How to Bargain
If you want to buy something, but don’t want to pay the asking price the most important thing to remember is not to let the salesperson know that you want the item. The salesperson wants you to buy their merchandise. Because of this, you have more power than they do, and you need to use this power to get the best price possible!
Start out by asking the salesperson how much the item you want costs. When they tell you the price, tell them that you would like to buy the item, but that you think the price they quoted you is too expensive. Tell them you will buy the item for a much lower amount than you are willing to pay. The vendor will probably say your offer is too low and will name a different, higher price.
In this way you can bargain back and forth with the vendor until you arrive at a price you are both pleased with.

 

Lesson MP3

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