Belt Auction

How To: Haggling At Antiques Shop?

I'm redecorating my apartment and am shopping for new (new to me anyways) furniture. At an antiques shop how do I haggle? How much lower than the listed price should I go? How do I make myself sound assertive and confident? I'll be shopping at Asian Antique stores (where they usually get the items directly from China). So going to an auction is out of the question.

Public Comments

1. If the price is $100 for example, offer $80.00.
2. Take the item to the shop owner and say, "Will you take $___ for this?" I would quote something maybe 20% off the marked price. You don't need to be assertive. Make these friendly encounters!
3. Offer a lower price for the item and if they don't accept it then hit them over the head with said item and say "But it's got a dent in it!". If they don't answer then assume it's OK to take it. Another technique is to offer a lower price for two items....since they'd be getting rid of two things guaranteed in a day they will sometimes agree to go that little lower.
4. Don't start too low as it will be so ridiculous the shop will just ignore you. Start reasonable. Take for example, something is $50. I would start at negotiations at $30. Starting at half price will be pushing it. If there is a flaw in the product, bring it out as a reason to lower the price. If however they say its i.e. one off piece it will be a reason for them to put the price up. Therefore, counteract that arguement with a flaw. There are always 2 sides to things remember. Be assertive, but also be willing to be flexible. Show you are interested but can live without it. If you show you are REALLY interested they'll know they can sell it to you as high price as possible. The most important thing is be happy and smile. People are more willing to help and be more responsive to a nice person. A smile goes a long way. Good luck!
5. I was a dealer. We usually marked up items 80% to 100% over what we paid for it....so anything we bought at auction for $50...we sold for $75 to $100....if not more. Best thing for you to do is find out where some local antique auctions are being held...grab your wallet and head out to them. Individual buyers can pay more than deales for an item because they don't have to worry about making a profit....so something that is selling for $200 in shop....you might get it for $125...because the dealers won't go over that. Check around at shops for what you want...write down their prices...then go to the auction. Anything less than their prices and you buy it....just watch out that you don't pay more than what it's worth because another person is bidding against you.