When Buying Haggling is Hot

By Dian Vujovich

Research now shows that people are choosing to spend via cash, debit cards and check writing rather than pulling out their credit cards. They’re also not purchasing the same kinds of stuff that they used to.

I’ve taken to using cash and my debit card instead of credit cards. Have got to tell you, it feels good. Really. There’s a positive sense of something that trumps any feelings that flashing a gold or platinum card ever brought me. That change in habit also means I’m spending less. It’s a spend-less-live-better kind of notion.

What people are buying has also taken a turn. Except, that is for Rollsies. While other new car sales are in the tank, not so for the mighty Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars saw 2008 sales increase by 20 percent. More specifically, 1212 cars were sold last versus the 1010 sold in 2007, according to a Rolls-Royce press release.

Just revealed in Geneva earlier this month was their brand new 200EX model. It will be available next year and expected to be priced about $100,000 less than the least expensive RR. With its about $220,000 price tag, this “Baby Rolls” will probably sell like hot cakes. Better jump on ordering one if you’re interested.

Now back to the buying trends of most of us. Found an interesting story titled “What’s In, What’s Out” at Yahoo.com/finance today. (http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/106787/Consumer-Spending-What%27s-In-What%27s-Out ) It addresses the results of consumer research done by GfK Roper Consulting. And, seems as though those surveyed said that they can do without cable or satellite TV because they’d prefer to watch the free programming sites like You Tube; that cell phones are in, land lines out; expensive dining and elaborate vacations are out but staycations and fast-food restaurants are not; and buying brand names doesn’t hold the cache it once did.

My personal favorite: haggling and bargaining. According to the story: “More than half of consumers surveyed in January said they were comparing prices on everything they buy, including items under $5. Almost 60% said they think it’s a good idea to “haggle and bargain, even on small purchases.”

Humm…wonder how much haggling has been done at Worth Avenue or Rodeo Drive shops lately? Let me know if you’ve had any success with that.