QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Hot topics
HOT TOPICS
Q
Since the recession
in 2008, has there
been an increase
in the incidence
of ‘haggling’ over
prices?
Each month we ask a selection of business leaders
their views on an aspect of business. This month,
we’re talking about price negotiation
Yes, people are more likely to drive a hard
bargain in the lean years than in the years of
plenty. There’s always another side to it though,
and when times are harder you value your loyal
customers even more than usual. This might
mean that you don’t haggle with them as hard as
you could, because you appreciate their custom
and don’t want to alienate them.
NICK LAHEY-BEAN, OWNER OF ABACUS REAL ESTATE
Yes. I have found that everyone I deal with
wants to get the best price, and always asks
if there is a discount. To be fair, I also ask the
same of my suppliers so that I can pass on a
cheaper price to my customers.
MIKE CARTER, MANAGING DIRECTOR,
TYN CAN LEARNING
THE NUMBERS GAME
Here's what the rest
of you thought:
44%
No, there isn’t
a noticeable
difference
56%
Yes, it is more
prevalent
No. In my experience people
have always haggled! The biggest
trend we have found following the
economic downturn is that people
are more concerned with quality
and value for money, which is what
we’ve always offered anyway.
BEN COOPER, DIRECTOR OF NUTSHELL
CONSTRUCTION
Absolutely! Most need to shave expenses and
we’re no different. The saying is “no margin – no
mission”. If there’s no margin, you’ll have to stop
now, or do whatever you can to achieve a margin.
The obvious places to start are your suppliers.
Let the haggling begin!
KEVIN BYRNE, MD OF CHECKATRADE.COM
NEXT MONTH:
We ask readers “If you had explored every other avenue and it was do-or-die,
would you ever resort to a payday lender for a business loan?”
20 September 2014
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29/08/2014 15:22