Quote:
Originally Posted by maxdog03 /forum/post/15509961
In the past it seems many stores use Superbowl Sunday to generate sales for TV's. Now days it's hard to say though as I recently picked up a Samsung 40" LCD at the end of summer for a price I have yet to see better anywhere else so deals can be had at any time (including Black Friday). I always suggest shopping constantly for the deals and be ready to jump on it when it reaches a price you're comfortable with and never be afraid to toss out a price that's reasonable and see if they bite. I've never went into a store and paid the price they were asking for it, but I have also had to walk out of several stores without a TV, but I usually get what I want or close to it.
For high end purchases, these days I suspect this approach is the way to go.
The key is to simply not care and to make sure the sales person knows that you are fine with walking out today.
I did that recently with a mattress and, combined with some comparative pricing, managed to talk them down some $600 from their sticker price. I'm getting it delivered tomorrow. Basically, I managed to knock about 1/3 off the price (give or take). How'd I do it? Simple.
- I went in knowing what I want and knowing about the options out there.
- I worked the sales person by showing my interest in making a purchase. With the mattresses, I took my time selecting one rather than just saying "Nah, just browsing, thanks."
- I walked to the door twice. LITERALLY the first time I got TO the door, the sales person said "Well....maybe we can offer you a floor model..." I acted more interested (well, I WAS more interested because the price was great), and then said "Well, I'm gonna go across the street and see if they can offer me something similar or better." The sales person told me to come back afterwards and maybe they could price-match. I said ok and walked out, but not after her repeating several times to come back.
- I came back with actual comparative info (in this case a features list and a price that was actually what the other guys had offered me, not just some made up basement price). That allowed the salesperson to see that I was definitely serious and they should make me a deal. BUT I came back, so they knew I WANTED a deal.
Basically, it's a combination of knowing how to keep a fish on the line (and they're doing the same with you, believe me), and also having enough of a zen attitude that you just don't care if they don't get into your price range.
I expect that, as long as you're reasonable about how much you come off the sticker price, you can get salespeople in consumer electronics to do the same thing. If you're stuck talking to a peon who absolutely won't budge, ask to speak to the manager and see if maybe you can make a deal. If not, walk. All you've lost is time. THEY'RE the ones who've lost a sale. And that's one of the important things to remember: They WANT your money more than you want the TV. They NEED your money more than you need the TV. That's leverage. Use it.
Prices will drop, also. I fully expect that EVEN WITH the manufacturers slowing down production, prices will STILL drop because the production slowdown won't be fast enough to match the purchasing slowdown. There WILL be excess inventory. Whether it's excess for the thing you want...well, that's another question.
But I'm sure that around the Superbowl and even afterwards you'll be able to get a deal because they do NOT want to keep these things in stock.
