High street haggling can save hundreds

8 April 2009

Shoppers on the lookout for bargains this Bank Holiday weekend should give haggling a go, says which.co.uk.

Almost three quarters (72%) of members surveyed by which.co.uk said that they hadn't tried haggling on the high street over the last year, but 85% of those who tried were successful. The consumer website discovered that, armed with the right information, customers could save money on anything from TVs and dishwashers to tents.

While a third of the shoppers questioned felt that high street stores just wouldn't agree to lowering prices (35%), others felt too nervous to try haggling (20%). A few people even said that it wasn't very British (9%)!

Which? member Sue Bushnell from Devon saved nearly £3,700 on a new kitchen. By researching and comparing prices online and simply asking for discounts, she knocked money off kitchen equipment, fixtures and fittings, and secured a free delivery.

which.co.uk has created an online guide to bagging bargains, including a video with an ex-salesman who revealed the buying signals that shop staff are trained to spot and the most effective tactics to get the best deals from them.

Jess Ross, Editor, which.co.uk, says:

"It might not be a very British trait, but haggling could save you hundreds of pounds on the high street. Why not take advantage of the Bank Holiday weekend to bag yourself a bargain?

"Pick your product and then arm yourself with the best prices you can find online and in other shops – you may be surprised at how responsive the stores are."

Other winning tips from which.co.uk include:

> Choose your products – the latest must-haves will be more difficult to bargain down

> Do your homework – check prices in other stores and online and take them with you when you hit your target shop

> Make sure you're speaking to a staff member who can give you a discount

> Avoid fighting for attention and go at a quieter time if you can

> Hold your resolve - be prepared to walk away!

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