Top haggling tips that will help Tykes shop on the bright side of life

THEY may rarely, if ever need a disguise to help them avoid capture by Roman guards but new research has revealed that Yorkshire people are just as reluctant to haggle as the eponymous character in Monty Python's Life of Brian.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Feb 2016, 13:15 BST
Updated 24th Feb 2016, 17:45 BST

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In a famous scene in the satirical film set around the time of Christ, Brian is badgered into negotiating a discount on a false beard by a Nazareth market stall holder who is offended by his readiness to pay the full asking price.

Brian’s clumsy efforts to bid down the price make for comedy gold, but the awkwardness of the process will strike a chord with the 73 per cent of Tykes who rarely, if ever haggle for a better deal when shopping.

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A survey conducted by cashback site Topcashback shows that 79 per cent of shoppers in the Yorkshire and Humber region are too embarrassed to haggle while 36 per cent do not ask because they are worried retailers will not respond well to them challenging the cost.

Of the people who do haggle, almost half (46 per cent) believe they do not do it effectively.

The research also reveals that 76 per cent of Yorkshire folk dislike paying the full amount for an item, and that shoppers could save an average of £277 per year with some canny deal-making.

Topcashback’s consumer affairs editor Natasha Rachel Smith said: “British consumers are renowned for being quite reserved, so it’s no surprise self-consciousness often prevents them from challenging the given price. However its important people don’t let this get in the way of them achieving the best possible deal.”

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The biggest driving force for seasoned hagglers is the desire to pay the least, with just three per cent of shoppers admitting to haggling for goods that are out of their price range at full cost.

Over half (56 per cent) of Yorkshire hagglers find it easier to negotiate on holiday, although 48 per cent are happy haggling at home when renewing existing contracts for mobile phones, broadband and TV packages.

The top 10 tactics for negotiating a saving are

1 - Ask for things to be thrown in free (75 per cent)

2 - Research retailers beforehand so you know what deals they have to offer (62 per cent)

3 - Never take the first offer (60 percent)

4 - Offer a lower price than you think it is worth in the hope the retailer will meet you in the middle (57 per cent)

5 - Build up a rapport (39 per cent)

6 - Offer to pay in cash (32 per cent)

7 - Pretend to be disinterested at first (25 per cent)

8 - Pick quieter times to shop (22 per cent)

9 - Offer to buy in bulk (seven per cent)

10 - Use the good cop/bad cop routine (four per cent)

And, as Brian of Nazareth will confirm, make sure you don’t leave without a free gourd, even if the seller claims to have a poor dying grandmother...

Related topics:Yorkshire