In our first article we mostly focused on renegotiating existing bills (cable, internet, phone) for the better. However, after a few days of calling your utilities, you invariably will be running out of things to do with your newly found bartering skills. So, as promised, this article will focus more on getting deals locally. If you read this post and have something to add, correct, have a better method, a suggestion to make something work better… or simply want to say thank you, please take the time to post it below.

Ok, I will start off by saying one thing, then contridicting myself. Just hear out my train of thought. First, It does not REALLY matter what store you go to, you can barter ANYWHERE. You can haggle at the supermarket, department store, high end mall shops, everywhere. With that said, those places are all much harder, not always guaranteed, so we’re going to take baby steps.

If you want the best chances of successfully haggling a better deal, start practicing at the high end/boutique stores.  Here are a couple reasons:

1. These stores have the highest prices, but it might surprise you to know that they often pay the same or less than the ‘cheap’ stores. What that means to you, is that they have the largest margin to play with IF they want to. The larger their margin, the farther they can drop the price and still make a profit.
2. Because of their higher prices, they are less crowded, and will be more apt to make a smaller profit if they believe you are/will be a valuable return customer. If you happen to be in the service industry related to the product they sell, this is a good thing to stress. For instance, if you repair computers, or you install car stereos and they sell amps and subwoofers… your referral to purchase parts at their store holds a lot of weight to your customers.
3. They are usually privately owned. There is a good chance that if the manager isn’t related to the owner, they still carry REAL power in the store to mostly do whatever they want. Along the same lines, you may want to go during ‘normal’ business hours. The main manager will often leave at 5, even if the store is open longer; they are also hard to catch on weekends. If you go outside these hours, you will be left with employees only, or a night manager with significantly less power (even if they claim otherwise).
4. High end boutique stores often sell wholesale to other local businesses. They do this so that they have more ‘buying power’ when they negotiate rates when THEY buy. Because of these wholesale deals that the stores make on an every day basis, their computers are already set up for discounting equipment/products for whatever reason they want. In some cases meager employees are capable of dropping the price 10% or more. Managers in these stores have even more discounting power.

After reading these reasons you probably have a store or two in mind already, feel free to post them below. If not, start thinking. Next week I’ll post part 3, and you’ll need to at least have an idea of what store you will be practicing on.

Just to get the ball rolling, I have had good experience at Guitar Center, and the now defunct Sound Advice/Tweeter chains. However my best experience has always been with locally owned businesses where the manager on site IS the owner.

Telesteps 1205 12-1/2′ Telescoping Ladder

FREE BUDGET SHIPPING
List Price: $499.99
Save: $400.00
Buy.com Price: $99.99

I saw this on sale, and it looks awesome. No more bulky ladders that you have to MAKE room for. This thing starts at a miniscule 2.5′ tall, and weighs a mere 25lbs. It is so small, you could hide it under a bed in your bedroom, or behind a desk in your office!

As a reminder. Buy.com is having a special with Paypal right now. If you buy anything over $50 dollars, there are no payments for 90 days with Paypal Pay Later!

From the mfg:

Out of the box, this little ladder doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere. But start telescoping it and you almost can’t believe your eyes. It extends to 12-1/2 feet from its closed height of 2-1/2 feet; plus, you can use the ladder in any of its 1-foot increments. Stainless-steel spring-loaded bolts inside the rungs lock into place as you extend the ladder. The rungs are made of processed aluminum, and serrated treads feel strong and secure under your feet. When you’re done, you just tug on the locking rings, collapse the rungs down, and walk away with a 2-1/2-foot, 23-pound ladder under one arm. It takes virtually no space to store–put it under a bed, in a closet, in a car trunk–and totes anywhere. Clever as can be. –Kris Jensen-Van Heste

This telescoping ladder provides multiple lengths in one ladder. Lightweight (23 pounds) and compact (2-1/2 feet closed), it fits easily in a closet or a car trunk or behind a truck seat. It increases in length by 1-foot increments, up to a maximum of 12-1/2 feet. The rungs are made of specially processed aluminum for strength and have a round surface with a serrated tread for safe climbing. The molded conical feet and molded bumpers provide slip/skid resistance as well as surface protection. As the ladder expands, stainless-steel spring-loaded bolts (located within each rung) automatically engage for positive locking. The ladder closes with an easy-to-operate release mechanism.

Features
Compact for ease of use and storage
Aluminum construction is tough but lightweight
Easily transportable
Serrated treads for non-slip grip
Extends in 1-foot increments for versatility