The Smart Girl's Guide to Negotiating Anything
By Jihan Thompson
Too many of us view a sticker-price as set in stone. But haggling is an oft-accepted practice not limited to flea markets and the real estate market. Plus, it can save you a bundle on both big-ticket and small-fee items. From buying a car to negotiating your starting salary, it's all about asking for what you want. Here are the five purchases you can and should haggle over before handing over your cash.
Starting Salary
money, work, negotiate, bargain
stack of money
Doing research is key here. Knowing your value in the current economy is the only wave to negotiate the salary you want and deserve. Once an offer has been made, your potential employer may pressure you to give an immediate yes or no on the offer. Resist it, and ask for at least a few days to mull the package over. If the number is low, prepare a counteroffer. Remember to consider perks as part of your package, especially if the employer won\'t budge on salary-vacation days, your own laptop and an assistant can turn a ho-hum offer into a compelling one.
Busted Electronics
money, work, negotiate, bargain
iphone
When your iPod skips or your Wii remote starts acting funky, don\'t assume you\'ll have to cough up the cash to have either replaced (presuming you opted out of the extended warranty). If your problem has been a common complaint among users (the web has countless user review forums for popular gadgets), the manufacturer (and sometimes the retailer) may be willing to fix the problem for free. Press the issue. You won\'t get anything if you don\'t ask.
Home Remodeling
money, work, negotiate, bargain
woman remodeling her home
Whether it\'s a little work in your studio apartment or a major makeover in your first home, always get more than one estimate. Pitting contractors against each other only stands to work in your favor. If your favorite is too expensive, let him know you\'ve been offered lower bids. Odds are, he\'ll come down on the price before he\'ll walk away from the job.
Late Fees
money, work, negotiate, bargain
calculator and credit card bill
For customers whose payment histories are squeaky clean, bill collectors are more forgiving if you slip up once or twice. Remember: A late payment charge isn\'t written in stone. Make the call to your credit card company to see if they\'ll waive it, just this once. But make a habit out of it and you can bet they won\'t be so willing in the future.
A New Car
money, work, negotiate, bargain
car in grass
In this economy, buying a car might be the last thing you want to do. But if a longer commute or growing family is in your future, it may be an investment you can\'t avoid. To ensure that you don\'t get taken for a ride, do your homework. Research the dealer\'s costs for their cars online (you can bet it\'s lower than the sticker price you\'ll see). And be ready with an arsenal of questions about the car, make, and model-the more you know, the fewer opportunities you\'ll give the dealer to squeeze more money from you.
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