Is it Acceptable to Haggle Prices?

[violinnewb]

Perhaps "haggle" is too harsh a term.

Is it acceptable to negotiate an instrument price at your local instrument shop?

If so, what are the parameters?  I do not want to rub the owner the wrong way nor simply accept the listed MSRP.  

[Zeissica]

I don't see why not, but I do think it can be approached in a nice way, rather than being too aggressive. 

Something like asking "Do you have any room to move on this price?" usually works. They'll likely say either "no" or "what did you have in mind?" in which case you should be prepared with a concrete offer that isn't offensive. Something like "I was hoping to get it down under "$X,XXX". Or, they may say "let me take a look" where they look up their cost, make a margin calculation, and come back with a revised price, usually something like 10% off or maybe less, depending on what they have into it.  

 

 

[deans]

Of course its OK. I'd say the main parameter is not to make an offer unless you are fully committed to paying it right there. Be serious about it.

 

[gowan]

What the shop owner says no doubt includes cost for labor and materials needed when the instrument in question was acquired.  In some cases that would mean there might be little room to move.  If an instrument has been in inventory for a long time there might be more opportunity for a price reduction.  Why would one assume any price reduction would normally be possible?

[GeorgeH]

Sometimes they need to check with the consignee.

[Andrew Victor]

I have not bought any bows or cases item from a fiddle shop this century without haggling. It has paid off. I have not bargained on string prices or the instruments I bought because I thought the prices listed were fair and OK for me for what I was getting.

[jacobsaunders]

doing it properly

Monty Python - Life of Brian - The Haggle - Bing video

[Andrew Victor]

I have done it - and it worked.

Once for a consignment cello bow

once for a new Musafia violin case.

For the bow I probably only saved 5%

For the case I had a price in mind and he met it.

I had done a good bit of buying bows, strings, luthier service and two cellos from the shop over the years and I had brought students there for them to rent instruments and some purchases.

It never occurred to me to consider even asking for "teacher kickbacks" but years later I wondered if that was what these might have been.

[deans]

3 hours ago, Andrew Victor said:

It never occurred to be to consider even asking for "teacher kickbacks" but years later I wondered if that was what these might have been.

Probably. Something to remember that that's often part of the equation.

[AtlVcl]

On 6/5/2022 at 3:04 PM, Andrew Victor said:

I have done it - and it worked.

Once for a consignment cello bow

once for a new Musafia violin case.

For the bow I probably only saved 5%

For the case I had a price in mind and he met it.

I had done a good bit of buying bows, strings, luthier service and two cellos from the shop over the years and I had brought students there for them to rent instruments and some purchases.

It never occurred to be to consider even asking for "teacher kickbacks" but years later I wondered if that was what these might have been.

"Kickback" has such an unfortunate connotation. Sounds to me as if they were showing appreciation for a highly-valued customer.

[brokenbow]

Credit cards companies charge the store 3%. Asking for a 3% discount if you pay cash seems like a logical and reasonable request.

[chas5131]

Was taught to haggle at an early age.   Believe that has been passed down in my family for many generations.

If they are offended by a reasonable offer, leave.  In fact, walking out if they will  not meet your offer is part of the game. 

[Wood Butcher]

41 minutes ago, chas5131 said:

If they are offended by a reasonable offer, leave.  In fact, walking out if they will  not meet your offer is part of the game. 

I'm not sure how. You will have also wasted your own time.

[GeorgeH]

5 hours ago, Wood Butcher said:

I'm not sure how.

You say, "Okay, thank you for your time. My offer is firm and fair, so if you change your mind in the next day or so, please give me a call. But I do have some other instruments I am considering, and I might go with one of them. So the sooner you let me know the better."

Or something like that.