Question on buying etiquette

Is haggling a generally accepted practice, or is it considered rude? Do most sellers price their snakes expecting buyers to counter offer, or just look untill you find the offer you like and buy it? Just curious? I'm not talking about lowballing like offering 1/2 off what someting is listed for, but say offering 750-800 for something listed at 900.

It is absolutely acceptable! Actually I think there was a thread about this recently. One moment!

Edit: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ghlight=haggle

Found it :)

Most breeders have a minimum price they are looking to get for every animal. As long as your offer isn't like, way under that, they usually accept offers. I know I haggle most of my animals. I haven't paid full price in quite a while.

I usually haggle, unless the price is already very low. I usually offer about 10%-15% less than the asking price, and it almost always gets accepted. I could probably offer lower, but I don't want to go back and forth several times. That can be irritating for the seller IMO.
I don't think it's rude at all as long as your offer is fair

Depends.

If I think the animal is worth it I tend not to haggle.

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Originally Posted by dr del

Depends.

If I think the animal is worth it I tend not to haggle.

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That's what I do. I've only haggled on one purchase. Most of the time I pay face value if I think the animal is worth it to me.

I don't like haggling, but a simple "how firm are you on the price?" often has the other person coming back with a lower number, which has saved me thousands over the last few years. And if they are firm on price? That's cool too because I don't usually bother inquiring unless I'm ready to pay full price in the first place. ;)

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Originally Posted by spitzu

I don't like haggling, but a simple "how firm are you on the price?" often has the other person coming back with a lower number, which has saved me thousands over the last few years. And if they are firm on price? That's cool too because I don't usually bother inquiring unless I'm ready to pay full price in the first place. ;)

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Great tip. Straight forward without really putting any pressure on either side.

I think making a reasonable offer is fine...10-15% is a good rule.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitzu

I don't like haggling, but a simple "how firm are you on the price?" often has the other person coming back with a lower number, which has saved me thousands over the last few years. And if they are firm on price? That's cool too because I don't usually bother inquiring unless I'm ready to pay full price in the first place. ;)

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This. Lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitzu

I don't like haggling, but a simple "how firm are you on the price?" often has the other person coming back with a lower number, which has saved me thousands over the last few years. And if they are firm on price? That's cool too because I don't usually bother inquiring unless I'm ready to pay full price in the first place. ;)

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I like this too. As someone else said, it doesn't put any pressure on either side.

One other thing I occasionally do, is ask if the seller might include the cost of shipping if I pay their asking price in full (I mean, no payments). That has saved me quite a bit too. Once in a while, the seller will counter if I make an offer, in which case I generally accept. In fact, I recently purchased a boa and asked that very question and the seller countered by splitting the shipping cost with me - worked out quite well for us both.

I don't usually inquire on an animal unless I am prepared to pay the asking price. But I've had to watch my pennies pretty carefully in the last few months especially so haggling a little has made a few purchases possible. I am always grateful to breeders/sellers who'll negotiate at least a wee bit and those that do earn repeat business - and therefore will end up making more off me than they would if they didn't haggle.

It's one of those things that you kind of have to feel out. I figure that it can't hurt to ask (as long as you aren't offensive about it of course) and the worst the seller can do is say no - in which case you're no worse off and can pay the asking price. :gj: