How to negotiate price in English - Learn English with Harry 👴 (2024)

Here you will learn how to negotiate the price in English.

Have you ever tried to negotiate a better price for something you are buying or try to get the price lowered to suit your budget?

I hope the following will give you some idea of how to bargain in English and the phrases and words that you can use in such a situation.

When buying anything, unless of course, you are very wealthy, price matters a lot. You may have a fixed budgetor you may be operating on a tightbudgetso you may need to negotiate a better price that fits your particularbudget.

You perhaps have been saving for quite some time to buy your first car or change it for a better model or buy the replacement device such as a new mobile phone, laptop or another gadget. You should of course shop around. Check if anyone is offering a gooddiscountor selling a particular model at a reduced price to clear their stock or makeroom for a new model that has been released recently.

Once you have identified the model you want and the best location you can then approach thesalesman or sales assistant. You should have in mindthe ideal price you would like topay and an idea how much you are willing to goabove that pricein order to get it (be successful).

You may be lucky and the shop or showroomare offering a bargainbut in most situations you need to be prepared to negotiate.

• How much?
• What’s your best price?
• How far can you come down in price to meet me? (what can he take off the price to get closer to your budget?
• What will your cash price be?
• Can you work with me on this?
• Do you have any flexibility on the price?
• What’s your friends and family rate?
• How much will you reduce the price if I pay cash?

Remember that cash is king – cash is the most important asset to have. Most of the times not using your credit card or a loan may get you a bigger discount.

• That’s too expensive.
• I’m sorry but you’ll have to do better than that.
• I can’t take that to my boss/my husband/wife!
• ‘ABC’ are doing it for £5.
• I’m on a tight budget so I’m looking for your best price.
• I don’t have a lot of wriggle room. = I cannot increase my budget too much.
• I’m not made of money.
• What! That’s ridiculous.
• You’ve got to be joking!

• I am afraid that we can’t match that price.
• I don’t think that we could go that far.
• Let me run the numbers and get back to you.
• There may be some room for manoeuvre…
• What I may be able to consider is…
• Let’s meet in the middle.
• I think we can do that.
• Ok, let’s shake on it. (seal the bargain with a handshake)
• A man of your word(agree to buy it and your word is your bond)

fixed budget– a maximum amount you can afford to pay
tight budget– very little flexibility in what you can afford to pay
particular budget–meets your estimate of what you are willing to pay
to shop around– to look at many places
discount– reduced price
to have in mind– to think about
how much you are willing to go–how much more will you spend, how much more will you offer above the asking price
showroom– a place where goods are displayed

Hope these phrases will make it easier for you to bargain in English. As always, if you need any help, don’t hesitate to contact me.

For more information on English Phrasal Verbs, useful English Expressions and English Grammar Rules, check out these links below:

Asking and Giving Permission in English

English Expressions with the Word ROCK

Learn English with the BBC