Why is it that, in the USA, people dicker over the price or cars or houses

[raccoon]

but GENERALLY not over other stuff?

[hlthe2b]

1. because we've alowed corporate America to drive out the small business person--

who would have/been authorized to dicker over price.

Does anyone honestly believe one could negotiate price with the low level Walmart, Macy's, Home Depot, Barnes and Noble employee?

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. Actually yes. Iv'e done it at lowes for a new stove. Priced at $900. Got it for $650

Saw a couple at the same store bargain over a weed eater.

For the 99% this is still a recession. Money is tight. The stores know this and still need to move inventory. Never hurts to ask if the listed price is the best they can do. Also, on the stove, they threw in free delivery.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. How come no one even ASKS the price of a medical expense beforehand?

I had some outpatient tests ordered, and called the hospital to get the charges for them.
The hospital staff had no idea of even how to answer the questions.Completely thrown for a loop.
Finally a Billing Dept. person called me back 2 days later, once they figured out how to answer.

Wonder what would happen if everybody started demanding medical prices up front?

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. a few things, I think - the prices of big things are pretty subjective with not only leeway

but sometimes a need to make a deal, leaving some room. I've dickered over appliances successfully as well.

Imagine standing in a grocery store line and having a discussion about each item in the cart!?



It is also cultural. When we sell our plants at the local market each spring, most people accept the price - but some will do more of a offer/counteroffer approach.

It's quite interesting, really.

Happy day before Thanksgiving!

[tabbycat31]

3. Because we shop at big box stores

As a former big box store employee, we had no control over the prices (except for damaged merchandise, which we were allowed to mark down). It's a generally accepted practice that you don't haggle with the clerk at say Walmart over the price of a bottle of shampoo. If you don't like the price, you buy another brand or shop elsewhere. A clerk who gave a customer a discount on that shampoo would probably get questioned by management and possibly fired. (I'm not counting a sale or using a coupon).

In businesses that are not locally owned, the store level employees have no control over the prices.

[DFW]

6. Because in the USA you rarely meet the merchant

You usually are in contact with sales personnel who have no authority to negotiate price. They are there to act as a cashier, period.

Frankly, I have no problem with that. Imagine you are in line at store and everyone ahead of you is haggling over the price of every item in their shopping cart. How many days were you planning on spending in that line, anyway? A Safeway is not the Moscow flea market.