Video: Haggling Techniques

Before you hit the next yard sale or antiques fair, watch how to master the art of bargaining.

Hi, I'm Sarah Pihl for About.com Home. Ever wonder how to cut down on the cash you spend on a coveted collectible? I'm here at the Brimfield, Massachusetts, Antiques Fair with few tips on how to haggle. For some, the art of making a deal comes naturally. However, I have always had to work at it. But here is what I have learned on how to cut a deal from some of the best negotiators I know. Hit the ground running. If you're focused on fairs, get there early – otherwise the good stuff might be gone before you can crack open you wallet. Plenty of professional buyers hit this circuit and cherry-pick the gems. Know your knickknacks, and come prepared. If you know what you're looking for, do some online research.

But stay open-minded. If you leave the shopping list at home, you will be more likely to spy other treasures to take home.

Bargaining can get costly if you get caught up in the action. Preset the maximum you're willing to spend before you make an offer. Play nice. Dealers say being polite will get you a lot further.

Jackie Lavery, Brimsfield, MA, antiques dealer: "I think people will tend to give you a little more off than they would."

Even if you love what you're looking at, don't "ooh" and "aah." It's a dead giveaway.

If you blow your cover, recruit a friend to do your bidding with a predetermined spending cap.

But playing dumb can sometimes do the trick too. Put on a pout, profess your love, but say sadly how the price tag is too hefty for your budget. That is, unless they can come down on their price. If a dealer is unwilling to negotiate at all, hit the road. Take a break from the bargaining table and see what else is out there. Or, you can wait it out.

Jackie Lavery: "It makes it so much easier to load up when you don't have to take a big piece home. I would say if you see a big, and you're interested, wait until the last day. The only thing with that is, you take the chance of it not being there."

Sarah Pihl: But just remember that in the end, if you'll love it forever, it's okay to pay too much.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at homegarden.about.com

source from about.com