Haggling Pays

It's a curious fact of shopping lifethat American consumers who walkinto a car dealership armed with dealercost figures and ready to drive a hardbargain would almost never think ofhaggling over the price of other big-ticketitems like appliances and electronicgear. Shopping consultants, however,maintain that haggling can pay off, savingyou hundreds of dollars. Start bycruising Internet sites to get a handle onrelative prices for the item you want,and then go to your local stores andask—nicely—for a discount off retail.Sweeten the deal, if necessary, by offeringcash instead of plastic. If no deal isoffered, try leaving—retailers may relentwhen they see a cash customer walkingout the door.