Bargaining with a Shopkeeper
Learn simple ways to ask for a discount politely at a market. This lesson is for beginners who want to practice haggling and get a better price for items.
Also Learn
Bargaining with a Shopkeeper
Asking for a Product Substitution
Asking Where an Item Is
Dialogue Practice
Interactive session for daily mastery
Simple Price Negotiation
Hello. How much is this scarf?
It is twenty dollars.
Twenty dollars? Is that your best price?
Yes, it is a very good price for high quality.
Can you make it fifteen dollars?
Fifteen is too low. How about eighteen dollars?
How about seventeen dollars?
Okay. Seventeen dollars. Just for you.
Asking for a Bundle Discount
Excuse me, how much are these t-shirts?
They are ten dollars each.
If I buy three, can I get a discount?
Usually, it would be thirty dollars for three.
Could you do all three for twenty-five?
That is a bit low. Can you do twenty-seven?
Okay, twenty-seven sounds fair to me.
Perfect, I will wrap them up for you.
Vocabulary
"I want to bargain for a lower price."
"Is there a discount on this bag?"
Using 'Could you' for Politeness
When bargaining, 'Could you' is softer and more polite than 'Can you.' It helps build a better relationship with the seller.
Corrections
Key Takeaways
- Smile while you negotiate; it keeps the mood friendly.
- Don't be afraid to walk away if the price is too high.
- Check the item for damage before agreeing on a price.
Negotiating Based on Quality
I really like this leather jacket, but the price is quite steep.
It’s genuine leather, that's why it costs two hundred dollars.
I understand, but I've seen similar ones elsewhere for less.
Well, our quality is superior. What price did you have in mind?
I was thinking more along the lines of one hundred and sixty.
I can't go that low, but I could meet you at one hundred and eighty.
Could you include a cleaning kit for that price?
That's a deal. I'll throw in the kit for free.
Bargaining at a Local Craft Fair
These handmade vases are beautiful. Do you make them yourself?
Yes, each one takes several hours to complete.
I'd love to buy two, but the total is slightly over my budget.
I appreciate the interest. I can offer a small reduction for two.
Would you consider forty dollars for the pair?
They are usually twenty-five each, so fifty total.
How about forty-five? It's all the cash I have on me.
Since you appreciate the art, forty-five is fine.
Vocabulary
"Fifty dollars for a burger? That's a bit steep!"
"I'm on a tight budget this month."
Conditionals in Negotiation
Use 'If... then...' structures. 'If I buy two, would you give me a discount?'
Corrections
Key Takeaways
- Mentioning you've seen the item elsewhere can be a good tactic.
- Always be ready to pay the price you suggest.
- Use 'I'm thinking more along the lines of...' to propose a price.
Large Scale Wholesale Negotiation
We are looking to place a significant order for our retail chain.
We value your partnership. What quantities are we discussing?
Around five hundred units, provided the unit price is competitive.
At that volume, we can certainly negotiate the wholesale rate.
Our target price is twelve dollars per unit, including shipping.
That's quite a narrow margin for us. Could we settle on fourteen?
If we increase the order to seven hundred, can we reach twelve?
Let me run the numbers, but that seems much more feasible.
Negotiating Terms and Conditions
The price is acceptable, but I'm concerned about the lead time.
Standard delivery is thirty days. Is that an issue?
We need them in fifteen days. Can we expedite the process?
Expediting would incur an additional fee for rush shipping.
Would you waive that fee if we pay the full balance upfront?
That would certainly improve our cash flow. I'll agree to that.
Excellent. Please send over the revised invoice for review.
I'll have it in your inbox by the end of the business day.
Vocabulary
"We are working with very thin profit margins here."
"We need to expedite the delivery to meet the deadline."
Subjunctive and Tentative Language
Advanced speakers use 'provided that' or 'on the condition that' to set terms clearly.
Corrections
Key Takeaways
- Focus on 'Win-Win' scenarios where both parties feel satisfied.
- Use phrases like 'run the numbers' to sound more professional.
- Always confirm the final agreement in writing.