I'm a relative newbie in the realm of negotiation - still trying to get over the idea that I'm being rude by negotiating!

Anyway, I thought that for us negotiation newbies, it might be handy to have a thread where people can share which things they have been able to negotiate for.

It's often mentioned here that you can negotiate with your telephone, internet and credit card providers, but WHAT ELSE is negotiable?

We have been able to negotiate our rent in the past. We did this by pointing out flaws in the property that would turn off potential tenants and emphasising what quality tenants we are.

We accidentally negotiated a lower price on a leather jacket in a men's store! We genuinely couldn't afford the higher price and our ummming and aaaahhhing prompted the sales person to cut the price for us.

My brother accidentally negotiated a lower price on a windscreen for his car - again, through genuinely not being able to afford the original quote.

So, rent, men's wear and windscreens - all things that I wouldn't have thought were negotiable. Please share if you know of any other products or services that are negotiable!

Ok, i will add to this.

Insurance, be it for the car or house (havn't tried health insurance, very much doubt they would bother to negotiate).

Clothing that has marks that will wash off.

Food close to use by date (bread/milk/meat).

That's all i can think of for now.

Anything you can pay cash for. "Cash" is the word.

We have just built our house, we negotiated on nearly eveything, fences, driveway, shed, landscaping, clothesline, lightfittings, curtains and blinds (this was the big saver, saved us over $1,500 by paying cash)

Interest rates with the bank, we get ours .69% lower than the advertised bank rate.

Having twins I always negotiate when buying their stuff - got a discount on their bedroom suites because I was buying 2.

Definitely anything you pay cash for. We have recently renovated and when dealing with trademen found the offer of cash generally meant we didn't pay the GST! This saved us hundreds.

I often ask as what have you got to lose? Only really being embarassed. I bought 3 lamps at Bunnings and asked, they said no but I felt at least I had tried.

Furniture is a definite. I have often said to the salesmen, 'I'd like that but it is out of my price range' they usually say, 'how much could you afford?'

I have negotiated $50 off a TV, $80 off a fridge and $80 off a heater.

$200 off a camera at harvey norman (cost over $1000)and then used their interest free period to pay for it. I had the cash, but I'd rather have the interest than them!

Any large appliance. I got $200 off my washing machine and then a further $50 off coz my friend i was with decided to get one also so we got $500 total off 2 washing machines.

Like the PP have mentioned CASH is the golden word!

Also most trades people. If they want the job you might be able to get them a bit cheaper. Cant hurt to ask

I'm a totally 'negotiating newbie' as in the past I've just gone in and paid whatever an item was priced at.

So now I'm curious as to how willing Harvey Norman are to negotiate on prices for appliances (microwave/fridge etc) or furniture (cupboards etc).

Also, are you only able to negotiate if paying by cash? Is negotiation open to paying with eftpos?

iv found harvey norman to be great for negotiating prices for stuff. so far from harvey norman iv brought a fridge got 150 off a washing machine got 120 off a stero got 60 off a laptop got 200 off all you have to do is ask "can you do me a better price?" or "what would the price be if i paid cash?"

Any electrical retailer will negotiate prices. Eg Harvey Norman The Good GUYS RICK HART Retravision. Whoever your electrical retailer is.

They always mark up their prices on their price stickers they have codes in them which advise the staff members what it the price they can go down to. Sales people all have a commision they earn on top of their salarys. So if you dont ask for a discount and pay the asking price The sales person reaches their budget sooner. There is more than enough on the shelf cost for the store to still make a nice profit on each item.

Stores get promotions for items they buy. They might might 12 microwaves and get 1 for free. etc.

I know this as I was a Manager at a Good Guys store.

What about Harvey Norman bedding? We're planning on buying a bedroom suite tomorrow on interest free

DH will negotiate anything in the electrical etc of Harvey Norman, also now at officeworks it works for technology stuff as well.

I have never paid full price at Harvey Norman and half the time by just ummming and ahhhing they voluntarily reduce the price. They have huge mark ups and so can easily reduce the price on most items. I bought a stereo earlier this year and it was $210 I said 'it's just what I want but it's a bit too expensive' so he said 'how about I do it for $175'. Very little effort on my part, I wasn't even actively looking to negotiate.

Further on rent negotiation....
Would you attempt to 'negotiate' a $20-$30 per week increase .... if the rental property was not in any major need of repair? and the increase was quote: "bringing the property into line with the current rental market for that suburb".

We have been informed our rent will increase for that reason. We have probably only ever called on the real estate for repair, 4 times in 5 years (all minor things). I am considering rolling with the rent increase and perhaps asking for maintenance repairs to be done i.e fixing cracked power points, broken shower tiles, painting.

What do you think?

I also find if you can't get the price down then ask for freebies..

Whenever buying shoes we ask for a free pair of socks - and get it

Buying clothes for DH we normally get free undies and socks

Washing machine, $75 off plus free delivery
Vacum cleaner $50 off
Dryer $50 off plus free delivery
Fridge $150 off, plus $50 gift voucher plus free delivery - oh and put it on interest free *hehe*
Laptop earlier this year, $200 off plus free antivirus plus a free Ipod 4gb
TV $180 off
Digital set top box with the TV, 50% off
Bunnings $150 off toilet suite due to them stuffing me around for 30 minutes and I wasn't happy and wasnt going to pay full price.
Mattress $200 off plus free delivery
Baby items of course, always wanted at least 15% off item and got it most times.
Brought paint, got free paintbrushes
Digital camera SLR $200 off
Digital standard camera $50 off plus free 2gb card

Just some things on my head - we always ask - we use to own a mobile store and used the excuse everyone asks us for free stuff why can't I.

If we don't like the amount off, then we always ask if there is anything free we can get, most stores have something they can give that doesn't cost them much but is a big value to us.

We negotiated $5,000 off our car....rang around quite a few dealers in the state and got the best price and was matched at local dealer...
Car is a Toyota Camry Sportivo...got down to $29,990...was very happy...