How to Negotiate

[Mrs X]

I know you're supposed to haggle on the price of a new manufactured home, but how do you do this? For instance, somebody else on this site said that Palm Harbor dropped the price of a home by $14,000 within one hour's time.

I've talked to Palm Harbor and the salesman claims that the price of the home is up to the factory and he can't negotiate - - - I don't believe this, but how do I approach the situation? For instance, he says, "That house is $75,000" and I say, "Will you take $65,000?" and he tells me "No, I can't drop the price," - would it be okay to say, "YOU'RE A DAMN LIAR?!" (Ha, ha!)

What IS a tactful way to let them know that I KNOW they CAN drop the price? And if they refuse, should I say, "Okay, well, Homestead will sell me what I want at the price I want, so I'm going there," or should I just get up and leave?

I know how to haggle at yard sales, and I'm very good at it (i.e., you pick up an item you want and ask the owner, "- how much ya' want for THIS ugly thing?") but housing is a different subject.

Any smooth talkers out there with advice?

[Dan O]

Not every home retailer will "haggle" on the price, just like many car dealers don't. If the price being offered is higher than you feel is fair, let the seller know. There is no need to rude, no one is being dishonest, if the price seems high.. say so. Also, be willing to say that if the price you feel is to high, is the best avalable fine and leave.
I find most people who brag about the "deal" they talked a retailer down to are, to say the least, inflating what they did.
It's true there may be "wiggle" room in most prices but, truth be told, it's not tens of thousands.
Good luck

[Babs]

We did not get a mark down on our home but we got $4,000 worht of upgrades included.

[JGN]

A lot of PH sites are direct, owned by the company, and in a way that puts them at a disadvantage because they don't want to undersell a dealer in the same market. That is a great way to lose dealers because the factory store can always beat the dealer in price so normally they don't. What the will do is offer upgrades or services instead of cutting the price. My wife and I are having discussions about which house to get, I want Solitaire because it is better built and she wants PH because of the looks. I know in the end I will lose but I will make a valiant effort before I give in.

[Mrs X]

Well, look at it as an argument winner, JGN. If you DO end up with the Palm Harbor, then everytime something goes wrong in the house you can yell, "I TOLD you we should've bought the Solitaire!"

I think we women ARE more prone to "overly consider" the aesthetics of a house with less consideration for the structural integrity than men are. It's part of the "nesting syndrome" I guess, but if you really want the Solitaire, just find a floorplan that your wife will fall in love with.

Good luck!

[rmurray]

You said.."I think we women ARE more prone to "overly consider" the aesthetics of a house with less consideration for the structural integrity than men are"...

You are right...but they also are the first to complain about constuction defects...lol

[Rian]

How do you hagle over the price? You have to remember that the one who is holding the cash in their hand is in the best position when it comes to hagling. Some people as can be seen in this thread will give more consideration to color then others, and that will hurt your bartering power. For example if you want the best deal on a new car, then you can't narrow your search to a plum colored corvette with moon roof and leather interior. In otherwords maybe a good place to start, is to pick a floorplan from paper that you both like. Then find out how many different companies make that floorplan, and no doubt their will be 15 or 20. You now walk through each one of those manufactures models until you have narrowed it down to perhaps just 2 or three. Now let's say that Palm Harbor, Redman, and Fleetwood all make the same floorplan and you would be happy with anyone of the three.Next you find out every dealer within 200 miles of where your home will be placed. Who sell homes for the above mentioned. Give each one of them a call on the phone and tell them, I already know what I want, and I am just looking now for the lowest price possible. Please give us the quote and include only these upgrades with tax licence and delivery included in your quote for compairison purposes. Within just a couple of days you will know who is offering the best price on the couple of homes you are interested in. Now this is the STARTING POINT where your BARTERING should begin. Decide ahead of time which company you would rather go with now that you have it narrowed down to just two or three. You will tell him in the end that it was his service and reputation for handling problems after the sail that sold you in the end and not his price. The key to saving thousands on this deal, is not to limit yourself to just a few dealers in the beginning. Remember these homes are made often times in a different State and will be shipped to your site from the factory, so the nearest dealer to you may not be your best deal.

[Mrs X]

Hey, Mr. Murray, you're absolutely right! Women are much quicker to kick up a fuss about things, which doesn't make sense to me since we're the "gentler sex" - HA!!

I used to have a customer service type of job, and I can assure you that 90% of the aggressive complainers I dealt with were women! My theory about this is that women know they no matter how obnoxious and aggressive they get, they are unlikely to get punched, but a man doesn't enjoy that protection.

Or it may just be a function of estrogen.......

Sexistly yours,
Mrs. X

[Dan F.]

The lowest price is not always the best deal. It may be better to pay a little more and get a quality construction job and dealer. Do what Brian says but also check the BBB and ask for references. remember the best deal not price.

[Dan F.]

The lowest price is not always the best deal. It may be better to pay a little more and get a quality construction job and dealer. Do what Brian says but also check the BBB and ask for references. remember the best deal not price.

sorry Rian