DIY Tip | Art of Negotiation

A dear friend of mine once told me anyone can negotiate, you just need to know how to play the game. They also referenced an hilarious episode of one of my favorite TV show's The Cosby Show {Dr. Huxtable and Theo go to into buy a new car}... if you haven't seen it watch it now.

I used these new-found skills and confidence to not only negotiate my new car but also when it comes to DIYing....well 'thriftying' that is. 

As Dr. {well, Mr. in the clip} Huxtable says in the clip the price you see at thrift store is the 'Suggested Retail Price' - there is always room for negotation. Heck, they expected it.

Here is how I approach a 'thrifting' negotiation:

1. When you find a piece inspect it well. Check and see if there is missing hardware, broken wood, cracked glass. Think how much work am I going to have to put into this before it is 'house ready'?
2. Is it well made? Some pieces look like wood, but they aren't. Found that out the hard way. You cannot refinish fake wood. And hard to paint as well. Knock on it, you will know - weight is also a good indicator. If can't tell ask someone. They will know.
3. If you are buying something that uses electricity. TEST IT! Nothing like buying a cool lamp and the dang thing doesn't work!
4. Negotiation. If you find nothing wrong with the piece and fell like you can clean it up and make it sparkly again, ask for  20% off {start high}. See how they react. If they say no it is firm. Then decide if you really want it. If not, walk away. Many times they will chase you down and make a counter. If they counter, know the price in the back of your head that you will walk from. If they don't hit it WALK AWAY. Unless you LOVE, HAVE TO HAVE, WOULD DIE WITHOUT IT... walk away if you don't get your number.
5. If you are buying multiple pieces at the same store, use that to your advantage. Negotiate as a whole. Think about it, you are moving large product for them. They need to get these things out and make room for new pieces.
6. This is important. If they get hit your number, and you love the piece BUY IT! I promise you, someone else will. I once found a piece I LOVED...they hit my number and I wanted to think about it. FAIL. I called back 15 minutes later after I left the store and it was gone. As you can tell, it still fires me up!

With this is in mind PLEASE remember the following:
Always be honest and don't try to pull a fast one on the people working.

1. They do this everyday.
2. They are good people usually working for a good cause.
3. There is a difference between getting a 'deal' and being cheap. Being cheap is tacky.

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