"Shoppping Habits" and "Getting Discounts"

[Jraou]

Hi
I'd like to ask for some information on American's shoppping habits. Especially i'd like to know if getting discounts is common in there or not. If yes, please give me some of the most common expressions used in getting discounts.
Thanks a million

[Skrej]

Hi Jraou,

Generally, in American society, we do not bargain or barter for goods. The price you see listed on a product in a store is what you are expected to pay. If you don't like the price, you can go to another store which may have the same product or a similar product for a lower price.

We do not bargain or negotiate prices with the store owner. Stores do frequently have sales, in which they will sell certain products at a discounted price for a limited time. They will advertise these sales as a means of drawing in customers.

There may be a few limited situations such as garage/yard sales, and buying vehicles where we will haggle over a price, but by and large the concept of bargaining for goods and services is a foreign concept in American culture.

About the only product sold in America that we do haggle with the seller over a price is when buying a vehicle, especially when buying used vehicles.
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