Can you haggle your way to a holiday bargain?

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anse lazio beach at praslin...
anse lazio beach at praslin...



When you're planning a cheap holiday, the first port of call is usually the internet. It's easier to shop around, there are all sorts of budget providers that you wouldn't find anywhere else, and increasingly there are price comparison tools for everything from car hire to flights.

But while 21st century tools can secure a good deal, you may get an even better price with something decidedly more old school: haggling.

Yes, a spot of haggling can help you book a holiday for much less. Take our tips below and see if it works for you.

The first step should be to track down the holiday you want, and work out what the benchmark price seems to be online. Next, find the travel agents which specialise in this sort of holiday. You need a specialist because they will usually get a better deal from the tour operator, so they have more of a profit margin to play with: Travelsupermarket.com is a good place to find the details.

Then you need to make three calls. In the first, call the agent, tell them the benchmark price you have seen online and ask them if they can do a deal (don't lie, it because they will usually ask for all the details of the holiday, including the travel agent). Armed with that you can call another agent and ask them to better the new price, and finally call the third and ask them to improve on this.

You can save decent sum of cash through this approach. Moneysavingexpert's Martin Lewis says that some of his website's users have saved thousands on a more expensive break in this way. But, he adds, agents don't like this approach (of course they don't!), so the process of haggling may be uncomfortable at times.

If you're not keen on all-out haggling, you can still save through a more hands-off method. Do your research online and find a decent price, then take it to your local high street travel agent, show them the print outs and ask if they can do the same for less.

The more you are spending and the more complex the trip, the more likely you are to get a saving - as the agent can use their knowledge to find a cheaper option, or can choose to give away some of their commission.

If you're looking for a package deal you may be hard-pushed to get a discount from some agents. However, when consumer organisation Which? did a study into this at the end of last year, its researchers managed to get a lower price for summer holidays to Florida and Mallorca 38 times out of 46 - with an average saving of 6 per cent, so it is worth asking.

Even if you draw a blank, it's worth checking if they can throw in any extras for free - such as free child places, free car hire, or an extra night. Which? found that they could get at least an added extra in nine out of ten agencies. They also found they had a far better response from the high street agents in person than on the phone.

And don't forget to carry on haggling even when you are on your holiday. There are often deals to be done through haggling on most items, from hiring a boat or motorcycle for the day to buying souvenirs. Experts say you should start by deciding the maximum you will pay for something, then go in much lower. You should then use a firm tone to counter-offer whatever the salesperson suggests. Once you reach a figure you are happy with, you hold out your hand for a handshake - often the gesture is enough to bring negotiations to a close.

If you like the challenge of haggling, you could save hundreds of pounds while you're away, and enjoy the thrill of the hunt at the same time. But If the whole idea of haggling leaves you cold and clammy, you may be better off looking for a good deal and paying the advertised price.

If you're not cut out for haggling, there are alternative ways to secure a bargain, so it's worth checking out our tips for bagging a cheap holiday, and advice on how to cut the costs of a break during the school holidays.



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