<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Yes, you can haggle at fixed-price stores
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Nur Dianah Suhaimi
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</TD><TD width=10>
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The Sunday Times visited 10 retail stores in Orchard Road and other areas to put them to a 'haggle' test, and got handsome discounts at some outlets. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Some say haggling is a dying art in Singapore. And most people will laugh at the notion that one can bargain in the Orchard Road shopping belt.
With the downturn, however, trying times mean: Try, try, try.
The Sunday Times recently visited malls in Orchard Road and other areas to put 10 retail stores to a 'haggle' test. We found that if you are thick-skinned enough to haggle, a handsome discount could still be had at several places.
Watches of Switzerland
We were the sole customers at its Paragon Shopping Centre outlet on a weekday afternoon. We said we wanted a 'branded' women's watch for no more than $3,000.
The salesman took out a $5,100 Omega watch with diamond dials. With the standard 15 per cent Omega discount, the watch cost $4,335.
We asked for a 'better price', saying the price he offered was not attractive enough. He thought for a while before offering the final price of $4,080 - a 20 per cent discount.
When contacted later, the Jay Gee Melwani Group, which owns the luxury watch chain, declined to comment.
Original price: $5,100
Price after official discount: $4,335
After haggling: $4,080
Cortina
Still at Paragon, we went to watch retailer Cortina next.
Shown a catalogue by a salesman, we zeroed in on an Omega women's watch, a different model from the previous store's. It cost $5,050.
Again, with the standard 15 per cent discount, the price was $4,292. Pressed for a further discount, the salesman looked unsure.
A female employee came over and said rather sternly that no further discounts were possible since that particular model would have to be shipped in from Switzerland once we placed an order.
But we persisted, and she relented. The final offer: $4,200.
A Cortina spokesman later told The Sunday Times that while it might allow some haggling, 'most times we will strictly stick to the standard brand discounts'.
Original price: $5,050
Price after official discount: $4,292
After haggling: $4,200
Lee Hwa Jewellery
We were the only customers at Lee Hwa Jewellery's store in Wisma Atria on a weekday afternoon.
We asked to see one of its diamond rings from its Destinee collection, the brand's range of perfect-cut diamonds. Lee Hwa was offering a 10 per cent discount for this range for UOB card members.
With the discount, the $1,198 ring was worth $1,078. There was no further discount, we were told firmly. A Lee Hwa spokesman later explained that the store had a policy of not granting discretionary discounts.
Original price: $1,198
Price after official discount: $1,078
Haggling did not work
Goldheart
At Goldheart's store in Wisma Atria, we asked to look at a diamond ring retailing for $748.
After the store's 20 per cent discount for the range the ring belonged to, the price went down to $598. We said we were very keen to buy the ring, but the staff stood firm: No more discounts.
Goldheart, a sister brand of Lee Hwa Jewellery, also does not offer discretionary discounts, said a spokesman.
Original price: $748
v Price after official discount: $598
Haggling did not work
Soo Kee Jewellery
Five customers were at Soo Kee Jewellery's Wisma Atria store during our weekday evening visit.
After browsing, we picked a $2,939 ring from the jeweller's Brilliant Rose collection, a range of perfect-cut diamonds. Given the official 5 per cent discount for this range, the ring's actual cost was $2,792.
We then haggled. The sales assistant offered us a further 5 per cent discount on the discounted price, bringing the price down to $2,652.
Asked if it could be rounded off to $2,500, she said she would ask her manager. At that point, we backed off.
Soo Kee Jewellery later said its prices were fixed, but there were promotions from time to time. Said a spokesman: 'Staff are strictly not allowed to adjust prices for customers.'
Original price: $2,939
Price after official discount: $2,792
After haggling: $2,652
Harvey Norman
At its Parkway Parade outlet, we were recommended a 42-inch LG HD-ready TV set priced at $1,399.
Without much effort, our request for a discount saw the price lowered to $1,299. Pressed, the salesman threw in a $50 NTUC FairPrice voucher.
Harvey Norman could not be contacted for comment.
Original price: $1,399 <P
>No official discount
After haggling: $1,299 and a $50 NTUC FairPrice voucher
Best Denki
We then visited Best Denki's store at Parkway Parade, and found the exact model we saw earlier at Harvey Norman. It cost $1,299.
We claimed that the Harvey Norman store offered us a $1,200 deal, with a $50 voucher included. The salesman went off to check with his manager, and returned to say 'yes' to $1,200. The deal included $40 in Best Denki vouchers.
Mr Bernard Goh, Best Denki's retail manager, said: 'We don't encourage bargaining, but we do give discounts on a case-to-case basis. We try to match our competitors' prices, but only if we can still cover our costs.'
Original price: $1,299
No official discount After haggling: $1,200 and $40 in Best Denki vouchers
Courts
The same 42-inch LG HD-ready TV set was found at the Courts store in Toa Payoh, priced at $1,999.
We told the staff about the price offered by its rivals. One salesman quickly said: 'We can sell it for the same price. We usually match what Harvey Norman, Best Denki and even Audio House offer.'
Courts CEO Terry O'Connor later affirmed this. He said: 'Due to the stiff competition, our sales staff are given the flexibility to adjust prices to match our competitors'. This is to ensure that customers will get the best deals from us.'
Original price: $1,999
The price we got: $1,200
Total discount: $799
Louis Vuitton
The store at Ngee Ann City was crowded on a weekday afternoon. We picked out a bag from the brand's Mahina collection that cost $4,830.
The answers were 'no' to whether a sale was on, and if there was a discount. The sales staff patiently explained that prices had even increased from time to time.
A Louis Vuitton spokesman later said: 'We never have sales or discounts...We do not encourage haggling, as this will not result in any price adjustments.'
Original price: $4,830
No further discounts
Chanel
The store in Ngee Ann City was quite crowded. We asked to see a metallic Chanel 2.55 handbag retailing for $5,800. When asked, the friendly sales staff politely said there was no sale going on.
We asked if we could get a special price for more than one bag, and were again politely told all prices were fixed.
A Chanel spokesman said: 'As per our pricing policy worldwide, all products sold...are at a fixed price.'
Original price: $5,800
No further discounts Do you normally haggle in shops? Have your say at straitstimes.com
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Nur Dianah Suhaimi
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
The Sunday Times visited 10 retail stores in Orchard Road and other areas to put them to a 'haggle' test, and got handsome discounts at some outlets. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Some say haggling is a dying art in Singapore. And most people will laugh at the notion that one can bargain in the Orchard Road shopping belt.
With the downturn, however, trying times mean: Try, try, try.
The Sunday Times recently visited malls in Orchard Road and other areas to put 10 retail stores to a 'haggle' test. We found that if you are thick-skinned enough to haggle, a handsome discount could still be had at several places.
Watches of Switzerland
We were the sole customers at its Paragon Shopping Centre outlet on a weekday afternoon. We said we wanted a 'branded' women's watch for no more than $3,000.
The salesman took out a $5,100 Omega watch with diamond dials. With the standard 15 per cent Omega discount, the watch cost $4,335.
We asked for a 'better price', saying the price he offered was not attractive enough. He thought for a while before offering the final price of $4,080 - a 20 per cent discount.
When contacted later, the Jay Gee Melwani Group, which owns the luxury watch chain, declined to comment.
Original price: $5,100
Price after official discount: $4,335
After haggling: $4,080
Cortina
Still at Paragon, we went to watch retailer Cortina next.
Shown a catalogue by a salesman, we zeroed in on an Omega women's watch, a different model from the previous store's. It cost $5,050.
Again, with the standard 15 per cent discount, the price was $4,292. Pressed for a further discount, the salesman looked unsure.
A female employee came over and said rather sternly that no further discounts were possible since that particular model would have to be shipped in from Switzerland once we placed an order.
But we persisted, and she relented. The final offer: $4,200.
A Cortina spokesman later told The Sunday Times that while it might allow some haggling, 'most times we will strictly stick to the standard brand discounts'.
Original price: $5,050
Price after official discount: $4,292
After haggling: $4,200
Lee Hwa Jewellery
We were the only customers at Lee Hwa Jewellery's store in Wisma Atria on a weekday afternoon.
We asked to see one of its diamond rings from its Destinee collection, the brand's range of perfect-cut diamonds. Lee Hwa was offering a 10 per cent discount for this range for UOB card members.
With the discount, the $1,198 ring was worth $1,078. There was no further discount, we were told firmly. A Lee Hwa spokesman later explained that the store had a policy of not granting discretionary discounts.
Original price: $1,198
Price after official discount: $1,078
Haggling did not work
Goldheart
At Goldheart's store in Wisma Atria, we asked to look at a diamond ring retailing for $748.
After the store's 20 per cent discount for the range the ring belonged to, the price went down to $598. We said we were very keen to buy the ring, but the staff stood firm: No more discounts.
Goldheart, a sister brand of Lee Hwa Jewellery, also does not offer discretionary discounts, said a spokesman.
Original price: $748
v Price after official discount: $598
Haggling did not work
Soo Kee Jewellery
Five customers were at Soo Kee Jewellery's Wisma Atria store during our weekday evening visit.
After browsing, we picked a $2,939 ring from the jeweller's Brilliant Rose collection, a range of perfect-cut diamonds. Given the official 5 per cent discount for this range, the ring's actual cost was $2,792.
We then haggled. The sales assistant offered us a further 5 per cent discount on the discounted price, bringing the price down to $2,652.
Asked if it could be rounded off to $2,500, she said she would ask her manager. At that point, we backed off.
Soo Kee Jewellery later said its prices were fixed, but there were promotions from time to time. Said a spokesman: 'Staff are strictly not allowed to adjust prices for customers.'
Original price: $2,939
Price after official discount: $2,792
After haggling: $2,652
Harvey Norman
At its Parkway Parade outlet, we were recommended a 42-inch LG HD-ready TV set priced at $1,399.
Without much effort, our request for a discount saw the price lowered to $1,299. Pressed, the salesman threw in a $50 NTUC FairPrice voucher.
Harvey Norman could not be contacted for comment.
Original price: $1,399 <P
>No official discount
After haggling: $1,299 and a $50 NTUC FairPrice voucher
Best Denki
We then visited Best Denki's store at Parkway Parade, and found the exact model we saw earlier at Harvey Norman. It cost $1,299.
We claimed that the Harvey Norman store offered us a $1,200 deal, with a $50 voucher included. The salesman went off to check with his manager, and returned to say 'yes' to $1,200. The deal included $40 in Best Denki vouchers.
Mr Bernard Goh, Best Denki's retail manager, said: 'We don't encourage bargaining, but we do give discounts on a case-to-case basis. We try to match our competitors' prices, but only if we can still cover our costs.'
Original price: $1,299
No official discount After haggling: $1,200 and $40 in Best Denki vouchers
Courts
The same 42-inch LG HD-ready TV set was found at the Courts store in Toa Payoh, priced at $1,999.
We told the staff about the price offered by its rivals. One salesman quickly said: 'We can sell it for the same price. We usually match what Harvey Norman, Best Denki and even Audio House offer.'
Courts CEO Terry O'Connor later affirmed this. He said: 'Due to the stiff competition, our sales staff are given the flexibility to adjust prices to match our competitors'. This is to ensure that customers will get the best deals from us.'
Original price: $1,999
The price we got: $1,200
Total discount: $799
Louis Vuitton
The store at Ngee Ann City was crowded on a weekday afternoon. We picked out a bag from the brand's Mahina collection that cost $4,830.
The answers were 'no' to whether a sale was on, and if there was a discount. The sales staff patiently explained that prices had even increased from time to time.
A Louis Vuitton spokesman later said: 'We never have sales or discounts...We do not encourage haggling, as this will not result in any price adjustments.'
Original price: $4,830
No further discounts
Chanel
The store in Ngee Ann City was quite crowded. We asked to see a metallic Chanel 2.55 handbag retailing for $5,800. When asked, the friendly sales staff politely said there was no sale going on.
We asked if we could get a special price for more than one bag, and were again politely told all prices were fixed.
A Chanel spokesman said: 'As per our pricing policy worldwide, all products sold...are at a fixed price.'
Original price: $5,800
No further discounts Do you normally haggle in shops? Have your say at straitstimes.com
