I’ve been lecturing (technically tutoring) someone recently on economy for economy classes. So far it’s been easy. But we often get sucked into the topic of price haggling. It always goes the same.
She asks something like “why does what people say affect a price? You either value something to the extent you value it or you don’t. It seems dishonest.”
Usually my response to that is to first mention how, if all prices were fixed, money wouldn’t go anywhere. If everyone just sold pizzas, and everyone sold them at the same price, everyone would live and die with the same amount of value in their possession. I also compare it to a captcha and say it’s like tipping them for their human-to-human time.
That’s a good point I think. Anyone in our same recurring conversation should start there. I bring up the small details and allow the ideas to converge. Especially the ones she knows.
However, I must admit, that’s where my ability to explain it ends.
She then asks something like “how do you haggle then? What kind of talking is considered haggling and then at what point does it just become price bickering?” And in my mind, as I try to define it for her, I think to myself “forgive her, she’s on the spectrum.”
I’m not like her. I like to price haggle freely and think price haggling should be protected by law in the same way religion is protected by Freedom of Religion laws. If someone comes into a pharmacy and wants to haggle, in my perfect world, it would be enforced by the authorities. Perhaps you can tell me in your answer to this if you think this is a good idea (please).
How immersed are you in the practice? Immersed enough you’ve taken a long time doing it before (how long) or do it frequently? A lot of the people here have passionate views on the economy; how do you square the practice of price haggling with your views? Is it considered “good” in your viewpoint?
it depends entirely on the circumstances. personally i don’t do it at all but i recognise that there are environments from boot sales to business deals where it is appropriate and expected.
my aversion to it came about when i worked for a little while in a charity shop (many years ago) where donations were taken in, priced up, displayed, and sold by volunteers. they were priced very cheaply and still some customers would try to argue the volunteers down. there were also shoplifters who left the changing cubicle much fatter than when they entered, and i had more respect for the shoplifters than i did for those haggling customers
edit to address some of your points directly
it’s usually the same thing
you may ask for the overpriced brand in the flashy packaging or you may enquire if a generic version is available. this is not haggling. if you ask for a reduced price on either the pharmacist is entitled to tell you where to go
in a fair society it wouldn’t be required for necessities. for luxuries it could be considered a fair way for a supplier and receiver to reach a mutually satisfactory deal. as it stands, see above, i don’t like it but it’s sometimes ok