ShopSmart: Five ways to talk down the price on practically anything

It may seem strange to dicker over a dentist visit or a diamond ring at a fancy jewelry store, but these days everything is negotiable. In one poll 63.4 percent of consumers said they’d recently asked for a discount. Hate haggling? Then try out these easy starter tips:

1. Ask whether the item will be going on sale soon. The seller might take the hint and offer the discount now—or let you in on an upcoming sale.
2. Surf online to find out what other retailers are charging for the same item. Show the results to the salesperson— he may be willing to match or even beat the price.
3. When buying multiple items, get the seller to sweeten the deal with a “volume discount” or ask him to throw in a freebie, like a carrying case for a laptop computer.
4. If you have a coupon that has expired or one offered by a competitor, don’t toss it. Ask whether the retailer will still honor it.
5. Offer to pay cash. This one works really well with contractors, doctors, and other service providers who need the money to pay employees and keep their businesses running.

— From ShopSmart magazine