HOW good are your negotiation skills when it comes to shaving money off an item in the shops, or is haggling for a better deal something you’d never even dream of doing?

New research suggests that when it comes to bartering, firstly, we’re more comfortable having a go abroad – where we think it’s more the norm.

And secondly, the selection of shops where we’d be prepared to give it a go in the UK is limited.

Nearly one in three (31%) people surveyed have never even tried to haggle in the UK.

While seven in 10 (69%) of us have attempted to barter in UK shops, this often tends to be restricted to markets and car dealerships.

People in London are the most likely to wade in and have a go when it comes to haggling, the research suggests – three-quarters (75%) say they actively haggle in the UK.

Meanwhile, around seven in 10 in the South West, the North West, the North East of England and East Anglia see themselves as hagglers.

This is a slightly higher rate than those in the Midlands, where around two-thirds of people will give haggling a go.

Many people told researchers they didn’t haggle more because they assumed they wouldn’t get a discount, were too embarrassed to ask, or didn’t think it was polite.

But if you give it a go you might be surprised at the response, particularly if a retailer thinks they might lose a sale to a rival firm.

Here are tips from Nationwide Simply Rewards for successful haggling:

  • Do your research beforehand. Determine how much you want to spend.
  •  Know your competition. Every company has competitors and will be aware of other prices.
  •  Never settle for less. There’s no point paying for something that doesn’t give you what you’re looking for, regardless of how cheap it is.
  •  Don’t discount the discount. The successful haggler does not need to always embark on a bidding war. Sometimes simply asking for a discount will suffice.
  •  Build a rapport. People are more likely to offer a discount if they like you. Enjoy your haggle, but always keep your business head on.
  •  Have patience. Don’t haggle too soon. Give the sales man or woman time to talk through all their products. There might be some good deals before launching into “haggle mode”.
  •  How low should you go? Remember they are a business and not a charity. Be realistic.
  •  Be prepared to walk away. If they think they are missing out on a sale they are more likely to offer a better discount.
  •  Have an excuse. Never feel pressurised to buy anything.
  •  That extra something. See what else they will include for free or at a discounted rate?