How to Bargain at the Cell Phone Store

I’m sure everyone has heard that when shopping for a new or used car, the sticker price is not what you should pay. It’s often a good idea to bargain with the salesman, within reason. Everyone has to make money, but you also have to save money.

However, did you also know that it is the same situation when it comes to cell phone shopping? If you are in the market for a new phone, whether it be a new activation or upgrade always see what they can do for you as far as price.

Independently owned cell phone stores have a great profit margin on phones and an even greater profit margin on accessories. Most accessories like car chargers, cases, and screen protectors are purchased for less than $3 and sold at or over $20 per piece.

Most store owners will look to net about $100 profit per line activated just from their commissions paid by the vendor and then another $20 to $40 profit in accessory sales. This gives you a nice cushion to bargain.

Cell phone store employees are usually paid on commissions, meaning they get a small bonus for each cell phone activated through them at the store. So they want your business, and if they depend on their commissions to live, they need your business and will not let you walk out of the store if they feel they can get you to buy. Just don’t be unreasonable in your requests.

All the major cell phone carriers have deals on their respective websites that are usually the best deal you can get anywhere because they save so much money not having to pay store owners and employees for these handsets. The downside for you in this situation is you have to wait for the phone to arrive in the mail and should you have a problem with your phone there is nobody to turn to for help except customer service over the phone. Which isn’t an ideal situation should you need your phone on a day to day basis. However, you should always look for these deals online and bargain your way to the same or similar price in an in-store environment.

However, it is true that some deals are just too good and can not be matched in store and in this case it’s time to get the best deal on the phone you can and then turn towards accessories. At less than $3 paid for each accessory, cell phone employees are likely to give you a deep discount per accessory or even throw in some accessories as part of the deal to make up for where they couldn’t match the phone price.

The best way to go about getting what you want in a phone and at or around the price point you need is to know your stuff and know specifics. Don’t say ‘I think I saw this phone somewhere else cheaper.’ Be as specific as possible as in ‘I saw this phone for free at this website.’ Plus you must always be nice and personable. The cell phone employees are there to help you and give you the solution you need, they are not there to be talked down to or insulted. Sales employees are people too and if they feel threatened or as if you don’t appreciate the time they are giving to you they will shut down, and no longer listen to your bargaining and will certainly be less like to give you any sort of deal.