It's a buyer's market. Haggle.
In the tug of war with sellers, these days you've got all the pull.
(Money Magazine) -- If there's any silver lining to this sluggish economy, it's this: You, the consumer, are back in charge. For most products and services, "you have a lot more power to name your price," says Nancy Koehn, a retail history professor at Harvard Business School.
The proof? Nearly 70% of Americans have managed to negotiate a better deal on a purchase in recent months, according to America's Research Group - a 12-percentage-point jump from a year ago. While you'll still hit walls with certain businesses (don't expect much luck at the gas station), you'll find wiggle room now in unexpected places, including health clubs, cell-phone stores, even big-box retailers, says G. Richard Shell, author of "Bargaining for Advantage."
To gain leverage, you need to know three things: where the industry's weak spots are, how much competitors are charging and what value you bring. Start with the negotiations here (listed easiest to hardest) - and watch the savings pile up.
The situation: The mortgage industry shed a lot of its job force in the past year, and volume remains low for brokers still standing. Thus they need your business. Use that leverage to cut the broker's commission when buying your next house.
How to use it: Mortgage brokers get paid by you, by the lender or both - the total compensation had typically been 1% to 2% of the loan amount. But they can get an even higher fee from the lender if they give you a higher interest rate.
For the sake of both transparency and savings, you want to work with someone who will agree up front to how much the fee will be. Interview brokers to see if they'd do this. Then, no need to beat around the bush: "Just ask what their typical commission is and whether they're willing to negotiate," says Eric Tyson, author of "Mortgages for Dummies." These days, on a mortgage of $250,000 you should pay no more than 0.75%, Tyson says - and you may be able to get it to 0.5%. Just make sure that the broker agrees in writing.
How much you can save: $1,250 on a $250,000 loan
Ease: $$$$
The situation: The industry boomed in the late '90s as 70 million "echo boomers" entered the work force. But growth has since slowed to a trickle. "Now, with the way the economy is going, every club will cut prices to some extent," says John Spencer Ellis, president of the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association.
How to use it: Lucky for you, August is one of the industry's slowest periods. If you're not yet a member, go in toward the end of the month, when commissioned sales reps are nearing their sales goals. "Tell them straight up that price is an important factor for you," Spencer Ellis says, "and ask what wiggle room there might be on rates." You're most likely to score a break on initiation fees (which typically run $100 to $285), but you may be able to get a deal on monthly fees (usually $40 to $80) too.
Already a member? Keep on eye out for promotions from the club and its competitors. Request a price match. Or ask if they can give a discount for referring someone.
How much you can save: $20 to $140 on initiation fees; $60 to $120 a year on rates
Ease: $$$
The situation: These days, cell-phone carriers must spend heavily to attract new customers, says Mark Donovan, a mobile analyst with comScore M:Metrics. The companies won't earn back what they spent unless you stick around for a while. So if your contract has lapsed (or is about to), you've got power.
How to use it: Look at websites of all the major carriers for enrollment deals. If you're willing to switch, find an independent retailer that represents multiple providers, as reps there are empowered to offer the best incentives, says Donovan. They may also have unadvertised plans. Visit at the end of the month.
Rather stick with your current carrier? Call and explain that you're getting to the end of your contract; that you've noticed Company B is dangling more minutes for a better price. Can they do better? If not, say you'd like to speak to the retentions department because you're thinking of canceling - and start the conversation again.
How much you can save: Up to $360 a year
Ease: $$
The situation: Phone and cable companies are locked in a turf war. Yet providers are starting to suffer from the rising number of customers who aren't paying their bills. No wonder, with monthly fees for digital cable TV starting around $60 a month; high-speed-cable Internet, $45; and bundles with phone, around $110.
How to use it: Whether you're an existing customer or shopping around, play the companies against each other by mentioning competitors' rates and saying you'd consider switching to save money. See if locking in for a year or more will get you a better price. If you don't succeed, call again and talk to someone else - or ask for the retentions department.
How much you can save: Up to $480 a year
Ease: $$
The situation: Though retail sales got a small boost this summer thanks to those IRS checks, they've been generally sluggish since January. As a result, consumers have succeeded in getting hundreds knocked off at Best Buy, Home Depot, even at tony apparel boutiques.
How to use it: Use a comparison-shopping site such as Shopzilla.com to find the lowest price on the item first. Bring a printout to the store. Once there, "the key is identifying who has the authority to give you a discount," says Shell. In mega-chain stores, few people have such power. Ask a clerk if he or she is allowed to do this; if not, kindly request to speak to a supervisor. When you get to the right person, ask what he or she can do for you. Or show the printout and ask if the store can beat that price by 15%. You'll find this strategy works best on big-ticket items, says Shell.
How much you can save: 15% off the lowest price or up to hundreds of dollars
Ease: $$ 
