Buying clothes, furniture, games, and other gently used items secondhand is a great way to save money. However, recently I’ve noticed that sellers are trying to fetch a much higher price for their used goods than normal. Many people are listing their belongings on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Craigslist for almost the full retail price. Even thrift stores like Goodwill have been raising their prices, likely due to inflation.
Although scoring deals isn’t as easy as it used to be, you can still find bargains, especially if you’re willing to negotiate. Haggling can feel awkward at first but gets easier over time as you practice and build your skills. Here are seven negotiation tactics for beginners to help you secure better deals.
7 Negotiation Tactics
Be Kind But Firm
Haggling doesn’t have to mean being pushy or rude! There’s a way to ask for a lower price without being a jerk. You’ll usually get better results by being kind and charming rather than acting like a Karen. You don’t have to insult the item or seller to negotiate a good deal.
However, being polite isn’t the same as being a pushover. You can practice good manners while staying firm on the price you want to pay.
Do Your Research
One of my favorite negotiating tactics is to show the seller comparable items that are listed at a lower price. Resale websites like eBay make it easy to find similar products that have sold for less money. It’s hard for sellers to argue against market-based pricing. Once they realize that they’ve overvalued their item, they’re usually willing to negotiate, especially if they’re motivated to sell.
Point Out Any Condition Issues
If you’re buying a used item, pointing out any condition issues that the product has is another easy way to score a discount. Even in mint condition, used products like clothes and furniture sell for much less than retail price. You can often get an even better deal by bringing issues like scratches, stains, and missing or broken components to the seller’s attention.
Don’t assume that the seller carefully checked over the product before listing it and factored flaws into the price. Resellers who post dozens of products per day may not have time to thoroughly scan each item for condition issues.
Even if the seller doesn’t respond to this strategy at first, you may be able to combine it with other negotiation tactics such as showing comparables. If you’re able to demonstrate that used items in mint condition are selling for around the same price online, you may be able to get the seller to budge on the price.
Although new items are less likely to have defects, don’t forget to check for flaws that may entitle you to a discount. It can be hard to negotiate with major retailers, but even big box stores might be willing to give you a small 10% to 15% discount to compensate for cosmetic damage.
State Your Budget
Although this sounds simple, stating your budget may help you secure a discount. Letting the seller know the highest price that you can afford might get them to lower the price for you, especially if they like you. If you’re kind and polite, they may be willing to do you a favor by extending a discount to you.
Shop at Off-Peak Times
If a consignment or thrift store is busy, the owner probably won’t have time to stand there and negotiate with you. That’s why it’s helpful to shop at off-peak times. Although these can vary by industry, business is often slow at the end of the day. Salespeople may also have quotas to meet at the end of the month, which could make them more willing to haggle with you.
If you’re in the market for a seasonal item like skis, shopping for them in the summer may yield better deals than looking in the height of winter. But you never know when a deal will pop up, so always be on the lookout for things you need!
Ask for Extras or Bundle Items
Sometimes a seller won’t budge on their original price. If they’re unwilling to take more than a few dollars off, you may be able to convince them to throw in a freebie or two instead. Some sellers may prefer to include extras in the deal rather than reduce the sticker price and walk away with less money. Try asking the seller to throw in complimentary delivery or another small item at no extra cost.
Another strategy you can test out is bundling items. For example, if two vintage toys in an antique shop are listed at $25 each, see if the shopkeeper will take $40 for both. They may be willing to cut you a deal since you’re helping them reduce their inventory by taking home multiple items.
Be Willing to Walk Away
No matter how much you love an item, you should always be willing to walk away if it doesn’t fit within your budget. You should never overstretch yourself financially to buy something overpriced. There are so many new and used products on the market, which means nothing is truly unique.
If you fall for an expensive item that you have to leave behind, keep your eyes peeled for comparable products. With enough time and patience, I’ve always been able to track down something similar that’s listed for a better price.
Do you have any tips for negotiating the best deals on secondhand goods? Share your savings strategies in the comments!
Read More
5 Things You Should Never Buy Used
Buying Used Furniture Vs New – Worth It or Just Gross?
Where to Sell Used Clothes Online
Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance and lifestyle writer. When she’s not busy writing about her favorite money saving hacks or tinkering with her budget spreadsheets, she likes to travel, garden, and cook healthy vegetarian meals.