It never hurts to ask!

This from the NZ Herald:

The recession combined with the looming end of the latest season means you’d be a fool to pay full price for fashion – especially with many fashion houses putting up signs screaming sale, sale, sale!

The Herald on Sunday went undercover to see what bargains could be bagged at frock shops along trendy Nuffield St in Auckland’s Newmarket on Thursday. The first thing to catch our eye was a fitted, blood-red velvet jacket with a gold trim in Karen Walker. Originally $691 and on sale at $325, the assistant quickly agreed to let us take it home for $280. Asked if she would further discount any other gorgeous gems, she confidently and breezily said yes (and without looking offended) but said it would depend on the item or how many were purchased.

A sales assistant at Alannah Hill, across the road, didn’t flinch at a request to further reduce a sexy black silk knee-high cocktail dress with generous gathering and tucks.

I can’t remember the last time I haggled down a clothing shop assistant, but I asked for and got a free ironing board with my new vaccuum cleaner, and a free mini-size mascara from Estee Lauder just the other day. And my boyfriend haggled down the lads at the Little Brother closing down sale.