Haggling prices at shows....What's your take

I don't generally do a lot of haggling at shows. I do usually spend A LOT of time talking to someone about an animal, enough time that I either get OFFERED an original discount, or get a repeat customer discount. If I can't afford an animal I'll offer to do a payment plan.

I'm not a good haggler (or a good poker player for that matter :P ) What I will do is ask if a breeder will go half on shipping through (basically knock 25.00 off or so). I've had good success with that.

I haven't read all of the posts here but I will say haggle if you have the skill...but do not be surprised or offended by those who may look at you and say no thanks. If you do not have the skill another way you can possibly get a better price is to select the animals you want and then just simply ask "Is this the lowest you will go". You will be surprised what that simple question will do to motivate a discount from the breeder.

If I think a snake is reasonably priced, I will pay that price. I normally don't haggle prices. If I really want a snake that I think it overpriced, then I will ask them to come down.

This is an interesting thread and because haggling or negotiating is second nature to me, I've never thought about it as anything to be considered. I use a lot of logic in my negotiating tactics however. The sales definition of negotiating, btw, is: giving either party permission to say no.
For me personally, I never go to a show to browse. I always know what I'm looking for before I pay the admission to get in. A good example is the enchi male I grabbed last month at the Cleveland show. I had been looking on Kingsnake for a month or more for a nice enchi male and just kept my eyes out. The going rate was around $200-$300 plus shipping. I went to the show not expecting to find one let alone get a deal, but I found a nice male who was already in the 300 gram range. I knew he was probably on the high side of my range and I had $300 in my pocket. I asked the price and the seller said $300. I nodded and asked if he'd consider taking $260. He hesitated, so I explained that I'd been looking for an enchi and had found several for around $200-$225 that would have worked, but add shipping and I'm up to $250/$275. By offering the $260 to him, he still makes more than the lower end animal I would have bought, gets cash instead of Paypal, and makes the sale on the spot. It was a win/win for both of us. I think he felt ok knowing I had done my research and made a good case for the lower offer. I wasn't just haggling to haggle. I'll, of course, buy from him again as well. He worked with me so I'll happily work with him again.

Jim

The secret to haggling is to appear that you have no more than a mild interest in the product and that you don't really care if you get it or not.
If you present that image and start to walk away, the seller will more often than not start offering you a lower sales price.
If you appear very enthusiastic about the item that is for sale, you will encourage the seller to hold out for full asking price.
I haggle.

All great points. Maybe one day I'll change my mind on haggling BPs, but I still think I'll pay asking price if it's realistic and I'm only making a small purchase.

I wouldnt say haggle, but I do ask what is the best price they can do?

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Originally Posted by Herp_Herp_hooray

I wouldnt say haggle, but I do ask what is the best price they can do?

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That's the beginning of a haggle. Playful banter and witty repartee should follow when both parties know the game.

I haven't purchased enough to haggle. It's not like buying a car. However, when I bought my pastels I was ready to pay the full purchase price for the pair of them. They were sold to me for $50 under what it would have cost me to buy them separately. Package deals are great. Knowing this, if I purchase any more in the not so distant future I will haggle for a single snake and see if it works. Worst thing that could happen is they don't sell it to me and I walk away.

Also knowing what multiple breeders would sell the same snake for helps. One breeder may be selling, say a Spider female, for $300 and another breeder selling the same type for $250. Gives you something to work with.

Most breeders I know on a personal level; slightly increase their prices for shows, expecting to haggle. This way the buyer gets to haggle and the dealer still makes out pretty well.

If I see a nice animal for a reasonable price...I will not hesitate to pay asking price.