Yes We Can...haggle the big name stores

I tell ya, one of the greatest money saving resources we all have lies within our personal network of folks. Remember back in high school, having that friend who could get you that 40% discount at the Gap? Carry this mentality into your adult life. Friends with jobs at big corporations have all kinds of perks - of which most people do not take full advantage. Whether its 20% off theatre tickets, free entrance to museums, 2 for 1 gym membership -- the perks are there just waiting to be used.

Collect data and share.
Plan a casual meeting with a group of friends. Each is to come with a list of "perks" offered to them through their jobs, relationships to so-and-so, affiliations, memberships and so on. Cull the list. The list will be huge, and the list will belong to everyone who contributed to the list. Seriously, try it. And tell me how it works.

Don't forget the greatest perk!
Everyone secretly publishes a "savemoneyhoney.net". For example, a friend of mine just told me a story of how she haggled a brand new full sized mattress and box spring down 50%. !!!!50%!!!!! Her method:
1. Once you've found the mattress or necklace or HD screen of your dreams, ask the salesperson, "What's the sale price?"
2. Then squeeze in any added perks associated with the store or its competitors, i.e. "I'm a first time buyer, doesn't your establishment offer a first time buyer's discount?"
3. By now you're sure to have established a level of comradery with your salesperson, so why not add, "...and what's your discount? Could you add that, too?"
4. And for the cherry on top, ask if you could make your purchase tax-free. It couldn't hurt.

I'm telling you, especially you city-dwellers out there, we ALL know how to haggle. We do it with street vendors and mom and pop stores. What makes you think major shopping centers are any different?



Happy haggling, honey.