English with Jo

This is the preparation material for an English conversation lesson about bargaining.  Bargaining or haggling is a type of negotiation in which the buyer and seller of a good or service debate the price of a transaction.  Not all purchases are open to bargaining. Religious beliefs and regional customs may determine whether or not a seller is willing to bargain. Typical places where bargaining is common include markets, antique shops, and second-hand car shops.

Audio discussion about bargaining

Download audio discussion about bargaining

Download transcript of audio discussion

* Audio courtesy of elllo.org

Bargaining adjectives 

• Pricey
• Steep
• Affordable
• Costly
• Dear
• Cheap
• Expensive
• Inexpensive 

Useful Phrases and Questions for Bargaining 

• How much do you want for this?
• What is your lowest price?
• Is that your final/best offer?
• Is that the best you can do?
• Would you accept/take $10?
• I’ll give you $10 for it.
• Can you give me a better price on this?
• That’s my last offer.
• Thanks, but I will have to pass.
• Great, I’ll take it.

Bargaining practice

You are a buyer. Try to get the seller to reduce the price to one you think is fair. Provide reasons why you think the price should be lower. You can choose to accept or reject the final asking price of the seller.

Bargaining idioms

To toss something in – to include something in the offer

To drive a hard bargain – to be a strict negotiator

To knock something off the price – to take an amount of the price

Conversation Questions

• Is bargaining an acceptable practice in your country?
• In what kinds of shops is it acceptable?
• Do you like to bargain?
• What sort of things have you bargained for?
• What’s the best bargain you have got?
• What strategies did you use?
• Have you ever been ripped off?
• What is the bargaining etiquette in your country?
• What other negotiating do you do in your everyday life?
• What are some reasons people give for wanting a price reduction?