How to Negotiate With an Online Retailer

A consumer today can find almost any item available on the market through an online retailer. Savvy buyers that view merchandise prices as negotiable often come out paying less than their shopping counterparts. Typically, all it takes to negotiate the price is comparison to similar merchandise from another retailer and a conversation with the merchant.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Major Online Retailers

1. Go to the local store of an online vendor with receipts from a recent online purchase. Negotiate to receive a lower sale price if the merchandise is marked down within 2 weeks of the purchase.
2. Contact online retailers that distribute items for smaller businesses, bulk quantity items or even larger retailers with known direct competitors. Typically, they are more open to negotiating than others.
3. Call or email a frequently used online retailer's customer service department. Express a desire to negotiate prices based on your long standing business relationship. Include contact information and as much detail about the item(s) of interest.
4. Use online shopping search engines such as BizRate, NexTag or Shopzilla. Online retailers quote item prices directly on their website. These shopping search engines do all of the price comparison, including shipping and handling, for the consumer. (See Resources.)

Auction Online Retailers

5. Place a bid on the item. Wait for the retailer to respond with a counter price quote, before attempting to negotiate a lower price.
6. Inform the merchant of better prices from another retailer, if the quote is too high. Ask the seller to offer the merchandise at a better price.
7. Inquire about a price match when negotiations are in a stall pattern.
8. Counter all of the seller's offers until the buyer and seller reach an agreement on the price. Purchase the product. Keep all receipts.

Tips & Warnings

• When merchandise is available elsewhere for less, a seller may match the price to keep the customer happy.
• When shopping by price comparison, be sure the items are identical to each other and are offered through the same medium, online.