If you like finding great deals on a wide range of items (not limited to home decor, electronics, appliances, movies, books, clothing, and more), you’re probably a fan of the classified website Craigslist.org. If not, you should become one. You’re sure to find a wide range of deals on new and used items on Craigslist. It’s free to post a for-sale ad on Craigslist, unlike eBay.com; therefore more sellers are using the website. As a buyer, this means more opportunities for you to save money and find a great deal.
But wait! As a bargain hunter, you want the best possible price. When you can compare prices on Craigslist and even other classified websites, you can try to get a good deal by haggling with a seller for a lower price. When should you haggle? When it comes to Craigslist and other similar classified websites, you usually find an item online that you like. Then you call a salesperson. You rarely state that you want to buy the item without seeing it; usually that first call is to schedule a visit. After viewing the item, you decide whether you want to buy it or not.
So when it comes to haggling for a better deal on Craigslist, should you start the negotiation over the phone or in person? Each approach has its pros and cons. For example:
Haggle for a better price over the phone
The pros: You know up front whether or not a seller is willing to lower their price. Let’s say you want to buy a laptop, but you only have $200 to spend, but the salesperson wants $300. You won’t waste time traveling to look at the laptop if the salesperson on the phone says “no, the price is firm.”
The cons: A seller lists their items for sale at a specific price for a reason; they need that amount of money or they really feel the item is worth that amount. If you end up being the first person to call an hour after the item is listed, chances are they won’t deal right away. Trading over the phone works best if you wait at least two days (the item hasn’t sold yet, so you have some leverage).
Haggle for a better price in person
The pros: When it comes to touching someone’s heart or firmly negotiating a better price, it’s always better to do it in person. Let’s focus on the aforementioned laptop; you traveled to look at it and have the laptop in hand. In this case, the seller is so close to a sale that he can almost feel the money in his hands. Let’s say he wants X amount of dollars taken off the price or he won’t buy. You have better luck with this approach.
The cons: If you’re not a good, confident haggler, it can be a bit more difficult and stressful to negotiate a better deal in person. Why? It always sticks when someone says no. That being said, remember that haggling and hunting for deals on Craigslist and other classified websites is like a game; sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t!
Are you ready to find great deals online?