Adam Howling
How to Negotiate Discounts on Uncovered Repairs
Consider This: "Companies don't always charge for
repairs after the warranty has expired," says Patrick Griffin, a
service manager for Dell. Common problems might not require a
recall but may be so prevalent that a company will fix the glitch
for free.
Try This: Enter the full name of the product
("Brand X digital camera M16") and the problem ("cracked view
screen") into a search engine to find chat rooms where people have
discussed similar troubles and learn what the company has done for
them. Call the returns department, not customer service, to talk to
someone who can authorize a free repair or a replacement. Tell them
you're loyal to the brand, but that you've seen online evidence of
widespread issues with the product. (Related:
Extend the Life of Electronic
Gagdets)
How to Negotiate Discounts on Home Repairs and Improvements
Consider This: Comparing bids from several
contractors will give you some leverage with the one you'd like to
hire.
Try This: Get three to five bids, and be clear
about the products you want to use. If your preferred contractor is
at the high end, say so and offer to show him the other bids. He
may adjust his price. When hiring a plumber or a tradesman for a
small job, ask him to break down his price into labor and
materials. About 35 percent should be materials and 65 percent
labor, says construction estimator Al Paxton. If the ratio seems
wrong, say so. But be diplomatic. "If you squeeze him too hard, he
might give you less than first-class workmanship and use less
expensive materials," Paxton says. Or do it yourself with these
Easy DIY Home Repairs.
How to Negotiate Discounts on Online Purchases
Consider This: You can't haggle online. But there
are websites (such as www.shopzilla.com,
www.froogle.com,
and www.nextag.com that
track and compare Internet prices for products and direct you to
the best bargains. They also rate the sellers based on customer
reviews.
Try This: To squeeze the price even further, call
a regular store that stocks the product and ask that store to match
the best price you saw advertised online. "We are very likely going
to drop our price to beat another reputable dealer," says Abe Brown
of J&R Music and Computer World. (You can find a list of
authorized dealers by contacting the product's manufacturer or, in
many cases, just going to its website.)
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