Negotiating Prices in a Down Economy

It never even occurred to me that you can negotiate when it comes to prices, especially at retail stores! Haggling is something I thought was only done at a car dealership, flea market, or maybe a small shop. Yet according to a new article in USA today, hagglers are gaining the upper hand in a downbeat economy.

Hagglers are getting deals on everything from electronics to furniture—and even medical bills. Sometimes negotiating a lower price can be as simple as pointing to the price tag and asking the sales associate, "Can you do better?" Shoppers have noted that they've been able to score discounts at the grocery stores and even at large retailers like Wal-Mart and Macy's.

There's no guarantee that haggling will score you a great deal everywhere you shop, but I think it's important to at least know that many retailers are becoming more open to haggling in this tough economy. It also doesn't hurt to do your homework and compare prices before you shop, especially when it comes to large ticket items. Bring in printouts, coupons or fliers from a local competitor and see if they can match the price—especially if that store has a low price guarantee.

Have you been able to haggle or negotiate a lower price on something recently?