Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 12:08 pm
Research from the UK’s leading comparison website, MoneySuperMarket, today reveals that Brits are paying financially for their infamously reserved personalities, with two in five people (41 per cent) never plucking up the courage to haggle over costs – from the asking price of a house to every day bills such as broadband, mobile phones and gym subscriptions.
The main reasons cited for not negotiating are those traditionally associated with the British temperament, with 44 per cent stating they are too embarrassed to haggle and 21 per cent believing it to be rude or cheeky. The study also reveals that Brits are happy to settle for the original price offered, with 25 per cent not believing they already have a good deal. A further 25 per cent admit they just don’t have the skills or know-how to push for a better deal.
Incredibly, just a fifth (20 per cent) of property owners challenged the asking price of a house – one of life’s most expensive financial decisions – with even fewer trying to bring down phone contracts (18 per cent) and builder’s fees (10 per cent). This is despite the fact that Brits believe that if they haggled over costs for certain products or services, they could bring the price down by an average of 15 per cent.
Londoners are the most likely to let their ‘British reserve’ get in the way of a better deal, with over half (53 per cent) of those living in the capital too embarrassed to negotiate, followed by those in Northern Ireland (52 per cent), West Midlands (50 per cent), Wales (46 per cent) and South West (42 per cent). At the other end of the scale, those in the South East of England are most likely to push their luck and see what they can shave off the price – with 69 per cent willing to negotiate compared to the UK average of 60 per cent.
When asked how much they expected to negotiate off the cost, 11 per cent of Brits believe they could save a healthy 20 per cent off the original cost. Almost 30 per cent of those surveyed also expected to save at least 10 per cent.
To support the findings, MoneySuperMarket has enlisted the help of seasoned negotiator and former Apprentice winner Joseph Valente to suggest a few ways Brits can relax their stiff upper lip and haggle like a pro:
- The first rule in negotiation is always to know what you are prepared to give and what you expect to receive. Not having a clear view of what you’re going to offer and what you want from the deal could contribute to the embarrassment that stops many Brits from stepping up to negotiations.
- Never give everything away: usually, a deal is comprised of money, time and quality. You must choose carefully which one can be sacrificed in order to make the deal work.
- Make sure you establish the best outcome versus the least you’re prepared to receive. It’s often in our British nature to feel we’re being ‘rude’ if we go in with our dream offer – but starting off with the best outcome, and taking it from there, is an effective way of negotiating. Don’t go too far though as you risk annoying the person you’re making the deal with, or even losing the deal altogether!
- Using soft power, such as a guarantee on things you know you can deliver on, will influence the negotiations your way and help you to achieve what you want. Just ensure you’re realistic, and don’t overpromise.
- Use your British reserve in your favour! Stay polite, impassive, and firm with your offer – and stand your ground. Remember, no deal is much better than a bad deal, so have the confidence to walk away if you find yourself compromising on too many things.
- Sally Francis-Miles, money expert at MoneySuperMarket said: “Classic British reserve means as a nation we tend not to wear our hearts on our sleeves or display lots of emotion on a daily basis. However, it can also mean we’re not the best at haggling and ultimately getting a better deal.
“Prices can often seem as though they’re set in stone, so it’s understandable there’s a sense we’re being ‘rude’ when asking for a better deal. However, we know that negotiating often lands you a much better offer, whether it be slashing the cost of your mobile bill or broadband, getting a free extended warranty when you buy a new TV, or even knocking thousands off the cost of a new home.
“In situations where you can’t negotiate the cost, such as insurance policies and energy bills, you can still bring down the costs down through switching to a better deal.”
Joseph Valente, entrepreneur and winner of The Apprentice 2015, comments: “The reality shown by the MoneySuperMarket report is that nearly half of Brits don’t even attempt to negotiate – which is a costly way of conducting your daily business.
“Yet the art of negotiating isn’t reserved for extroverts – anybody can learn how to conduct themselves to get the best cost possible, and when people do haggle, they often end up with 15 per cent off the final price.
“This is a huge sum when it comes to big life purchases, such as buying a house – and if you get into the habit of regularly questioning the cost of everyday items, you’ll also start to see a real difference in your expenditure over the year.”
