How to bargain and and respond to bargain?

[sky753]

Hi Everyone,

Could you tell me some useful expressions of bargaining and responding to bargain?

Thank you all !

Weiqun.

[Tdol]

To express surprise at the price, you could just say 'go on', but you'd need an exagerrated stress to pull it off.

[Ouisch]

It depends upon whether you're bargaining in person, or via email, or fax, etc. It also depends on the price of the item.

For example, if you're at a market and see a vase you like, and the vendor tells you it's $20, you can look at it critically and then tell him "I'll give you $10." He will then either accept it or counter with another price.

If you're at an automobile dealership, and the salesman quotes you a price on a new Cadillac, you would handle the situation differently. When he tells you the price, you raise your eyebrows with surprise, as if you can't believe what you're hearing. You then ask him "is that the best you can do?" When he starts making excuses, you interrupt and mention the salesman at (name a competing dealership) quoted you a price that was $3,000 less for a fully loaded Lincoln. (Lincoln is a car comparable to a Cadillac, but made by a different manufacturer.) When the salesman tells you that's the best he can do, you thank him for his time and turn and start to leave. 98% of the time, he will stop you and say "Hold on, let me talk to my manager, I think we can do business." They never want to lose you to a competitor.

Just some generic phrases you can use when bargaining:
Is that your best price?

Well, I was just going to look around, I wasn't sure I'd be buying today....if only it was $10 less.... (said in a mock-hesitant, undecided voice)

I'm still looking around, I think I might be able to find it at a better price. Thanks for your time.

[Coffa]

When in Morocco, I usually tried "Give me your 'insult price'". It's a way of breaking the ice...

[sky753]

THNAK YOU ALL FOR YOUR REPLY.

Could you tell me here what the meaning of the insult price?

[westyzh]

i'm a chinese college student,my best subject is english,and the result of the english test is well too.but when i want to express something in english,i always don't know how to express! oh ,my god! please give me a fovour!

[westyzh]

i'm westyzh, i want to make some foreign friends.
my QQ number is 490319894 and 26948680

[Coffa]

Originally Posted by weiqun ding

THNAK YOU ALL FOR YOUR REPLY.

Could you tell me here what the meaning of the insult price?

When you ask a seller to give you their 'insult price', it means their initial bargaining price, which will be so ridiculously high as to 'insult' you. Similarly, your 'insult price' is an offer so ridiculously low that it will 'insult' the seller. The bartering continues to find a price somewhere between the two 'insult prices'.

[sky753]

Could you please give me a dialogue to further explain the phrase?

And does the bartering meaning bargaining here?I have referred to the longman dictionary.It means to exchange goods,work,or services for other goods or services rather than for money.

Thank you very much!