Negotiating. It’s the moment you either love or dread. For you newbies and dreaders, here are a few tips on how to negotiate while shopping thrift or visiting a yard sale.
The first rule is always be pleasant. It seems obvious, but if you’re kind and courteous to the sales associates at a thrift store, they’re more likely to remember you. After you’ve flashed that great smile and put on a little charm, it’s time to starting dealing. It’s important to note that every store has its own policy regarding discounts, so don’t expect the store to bend its policy just for you.
How to Find the Best Thrift Stores
Here’s a story. I was in a well-known chain thrift store. I saw 10 cups that were individually priced, but priced rather high. I asked the sales associate if the sticker price was the best price. She informed me that the prices were fixed and could not be changed. My next step was to ask for the manager.
Look at my find! Gorgeous silver cups.
When the manager came out I started talking about how amazing the product was. I slowly leaned in and made a proposition: “What is the best deal I can get if I buy all of them?” She gave them to me for half price. Which was great. Especially seeing that the associate had previously told me a deal could not be made.
Another great find.
If you are visiting a yard sale, I would encourage you to have a firm price in mind when looking at a piece. For example, if you know you won’t pay more than $500 for a bed, offer $300. Perhaps they will come in at $400. If that’s the case then you technically saved $100. The worst case scenario is that they say no.
Finally, bring an internet-ready device. Many times thrift store associates are not familiar with the value of an item and may often overprice it.
Use your mobile device to send pictures to friends and get their opinion if you aren’t sure what to pay. Visit auction sites like eBay to see what the going rate is. Typing in key words on major search engines may offer valuable information as well.
Keep in mind that all of these are just tips and are not fool-proof. You can be pleasant, speak with the manager and even start off with a great offer, and still get a plain-Jane no. Don’t fret. You tried. If you really want it, buy it. If it costs too much, leave it. Something else is bound to come along.
Is it ethical to haggle with a thrift store if they are a fundraising venture?
yes.
Just because they're trying to raise money doesn't mean they're not willing to let it go for a little less. They may give you a hard time about it, but it just never hurts to ask. They're in the market to move merchandise. The longer stuff sits on the shelves, the less useful it is to them. Their regulars may stop coming by as often because they see the same stuff. Their shelves may get overfilled and make it harder to shop. And once their shelves are overfull, it forces them to have to hold a sale to get the stuff to move, anyway. Always remember, they received it for free. Any item through the register and out the door is money in their pocket. Any reasonable thrift store manager will get that concept.
Yes, the store received the item for free. However, they still need to pay their staff, their truck driver who delivered the items,gas and insurance on the truck,the rent and hydro and taxes on the building!!!If the item is already a reasonable price(and in most thrift stores they are) then pay the listed price and support the charity.
Support the charity but remember alot of them are not for profit so they get tax breaks. Also the ceo of salvation Army gets 175,000 salary so i dont think these thrift stores are hurting! They make their money regardless.
Why not? It's still up to them to decide whether or not to haggle. They may day that they have fixed prices and not haggle. It's up to the manager to decide what's best for their organization. Is it better to buy the item at a discount or potentially let it sit there forever unpurchased?
You are good! I would LOVE to go thrifting with you! I'm on the hunt for two pieces.
It never hurts to ask!
These cups are fantastic, by the way.
Uggg, I love those silver cups. I enjoy finding vintage silver-plate and pewter pieces to mix into my "collections". I typically find our thrift store prices reasonable enough to never warrant much issue. If someone is showing interest in an item, the store should at least consider reasonable offers.
[...] Tips on Negotiating at Thrift Stores [...]
[...] Tips on Negotiating at Thrift Stores [...]
I have been a manager in several retail stores (though not thrift) and I can tell you politeness and a reasonable demeanor are most important. Though some stores have a strict no discount policy, most leave it to the manager's discretion and most manager's would rather take off a bit and make a sale. Please remember though that generally there is a set guideline for discounting – usually 10 to 20%.
I just got a leather backpak purse made by well known high qualily company and saw it was priced twice as much as the other purses some of whom where by the same designer…so I looked at it a few times then went to the register and asked the girl why it was priced twice as high as the others. She looked at it and said you know, Im not sure. She took it into the manager and I got it for 10 instead of 20 dollars…Yay! I was happy and they were happy!
My house is basicly furnished with thrift store/house,yard sales. I would not have it any other way. I have been doing this since the early 70′s. It is harder to find stuff lately because now the thrift stores think that they are antique shops. Sometimes the stuff does not make it to the floor (some of the employees hold stuff for certain people) that is just the way it is.
i completely agree @JS. alot of the stores in my area think they are fancy or something. theres only one reasonably priced (non-chain) store in my area and they have gotten bitten by the fancy bug recently….i LOVE the thrill of thrifting but my wallet and my husband do not like overpriced dinged/dingy items.
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These are great tips, Rashon. Most thrift stores and antique shops should be flexible in their pricing, so negotiating is never a bad idea. Doesn't hurt to try. Simply smile, be polite, and be reasonable, and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to accommodate you.