I’ll have what she’s having…

I for one have had it with being a “price-taker”. When I’m the one holding bargaining chips in the form of cash, particularly in this current climate of intense competition, I want to be courted. I want wooing, well considered foreplay followed by full satisfaction, guaranteed. And not just as a first time customer. Don’t take my loyalty for granted. It really annoys me to see my bank attempting to lure newcomers with tantalizing offers that represent a significantly cheaper deal than the one I, a longstanding and reliable client, am receiving. Not just with my borrowing, but also my lending. Yes, I too would like to receive that introductory term deposit rate. No? Well, I’ll go somewhere else then.

But am I deluded? Perhaps it’s us, the consumer that has to be doing the hard yards, and being proactive about finding the best value for money. We, the average Australian shopper, just don’t seem to be that flash at getting a good deal. We feel a bit embarrassed to ask for a better price. Maybe it’s our Western sensibilities and compliant natures that hold us back when our rationale tells us there’s a better deal to be had. All the while, others with more aggression and persistence are getting the goods.

So this bargain hunting obviously doesn’t come naturally to all of us – those of us with a more reticent nature need practice, even a bit of role-play. There’s the option of hightailing it to the markets of Africa or Asian bazaars, where negotiating before you part with your hard earned currency is deeply ingrained into the culture. But leaving exotic travel aside, we can flex a bit of muscle closer to home, starting with those (few) retailers who actively invite us to negotiate. Announcing proudly that they will match a lower price found elsewhere, we can take them at their word, do our research online, swallow our inhibitions, and yes, just ask.

How about all the press lately about increases in online shopping to the detriment of local businesses? There is another course to take – instead of trying it all on for size and discarding a pile on the change room floor heading off to purchase online, why don’t we steel ourselves and challenge our favourite boutique to simply match the online price? We walk out happy with an immediate purchase, after sales service and a good price. The retailer has cash in her pocket and stock out the door. A win-win.

So I suppose, as with any great relationship it’s a two way deal between us and our merchants – don’t take us, your customers, for granted and we’ll keep you on your toes with a bit of hard work and some newly cultivated haggling skills.