Episode 247
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Hi! I'm Georgiana. Thanks for joining me for another episode of the podcast. My mission is to help you improve your fluency.
Remember that you can get the text of this episode on my website SpeakEnglishPodcast.com
Okay! Let's start!
When you travel to a foreign country, knowing how to negotiate the price when shopping is essential. Here are some tips to help you get the best deal:
1. Do your research
Before you start bargaining, do your research. If haggling is a custom in the country you're visiting, look up the item you want to buy to know what a good deal is.
2. Start low and work your way up - Make an offer lower than what you're willing to pay, then work your way up to a price you're both comfortable with.
This strategy may help you to get the best possible deal, as the seller may be more likely to negotiate with you if you start low.
3. Make a counteroffer
Making a counteroffer means making a different offer than the one you initially presented.
4. Know when to walk away - Don't feel pressured to buy something if it's more than you are willing to pay. 5. Pay cash - To get the greatest discount, it's best to pay cash.
Okay! Let's take a look at an example of negotiating in English while traveling to another country.
Customer: How much for this item?
Salesperson: It's $500
Customer: That's too expensive. I'm on a tight budget and I'm looking for your best price.
Salesperson: I can do $400.
Customer: How far can you come down in price to meet me?
Salesperson: I can go as low as $370.
Customer: Can you work with me on this?
Salesperson: I can offer you a friends and family rate of $350.
Customer: That's not enough. Can you do $300 if I pay cash?
Salesperson: Yes, I can reduce the price to $300 if you pay cash.
Customer: That sounds great. I'll take it.
Now that you have learned how to negotiate, you will be able to practice during your vacations.
Now, let’s practice.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
Sarah is a traveler who loves visiting local stores and buying souvenirs.
Is Sarah a traveler?
Yes. Sarah is a traveler.
Does Sarah visit malls?
No. No. Sarah visits local stores.
Does Sarah buy anything during her travels?
Yes. Sarah buys souvenirs from the local stores she visits.
Does Sarah buy the souvenirs or the groceries?
Souvenirs. Sarah buys the souvenirs. Not groceries. She buys souvenirs to remember the places she travels to.
Sarah believes she has a foolproof trick for getting the best price on every purchase.
Does Sarah believe anything?
Yes. Sarah believes something.
What does Sarah believe? Does she believe she has a trick?
Yes. Sarah believes she has a foolproof trick.
Does Sarah have a trick for getting the worst price?
No. No. She has a foolproof trick for getting the best price on every purchase, not the worst price.
Who has a trick?
Sarah. Sarah has a foolproof trick for getting the best price on every purchase.
When Sarah goes to a store, she always tries to negotiate the price of an item, offering to pay half of the original price.
Does Sarah always offer to pay half the price?
Yes. Sarah always offers to pay half the price.
Where does Sarah want to buy an item? From a market?
No. No. Sarah wants to buy an item from a store, not a market.
Does Sarah offer to pay half already knowing the original price?
No. No. Sarah doesn't know the original price. she offers to pay half without knowing this information.
Sarah is unaware that she is paying the total price. she is not getting a discount, as the sellers double the price every time she offers to pay half.
Does Sarah pay half price?
No. No. Sarah doesn't pay half price.
Does Sarah get a discount?
No. No. Sarah doesn't get a discount. She pays the total price.
Is Sarah aware she's paying the original price?
No. No. Sarah is unaware of it. She doesn't know she's paying the total price. She thinks she's getting a 50% discount.
Why doesn't Sarah get a discount? Is it because she doesn't want it?
No. No. Sarah doesn't get a discount because sellers double the price.
Sarah buys souvenirs and gadgets in faraway countries, making sellers happy and herself proud of her haggling skills.
Does Sarah steal any souvenirs and gadgets?
No. No. Sarah doesn't steal anything. She buys souvenirs and gadgets.
Where does she buy them? In her hometown?
No. No. she doesn't buy them in her hometown. She buys souvenirs and gadgets in faraway countries.
Is Sarah proud of her haggling skills?
Yes, Sarah is proud of her haggling skills. She believes she can negotiate a 50% discount on any item she purchases.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
negotiate
discuss terms in order to reach an agreement.
bargain
try to agree on a lower price.
asking price
the amount a seller initially requests.
counteroffer
a new offer made in response to another offer.
walk away
leave a negotiation without making a deal.
local currency
the money officially used in a particular country.
fair price
a reasonable amount for a product or service.
best deal
the most favorable price or agreement available.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
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