bbc learning English slam

Haggling in English

That's too expensive!

Welcome to the first of our special activites which help you learn practical English for real situations. 

In life, whether you love it or hate it, sometimes you need to haggle - you need to try to get a better price for something. Some people are natural hagglers, and even if you are, you can still learn some useful English expressions to help you get the best deal.

In the UK, haggling is not as common as in some other countries. You wouldn't normally haggle in a department store here, or in other big shops. But you might haggle in a market, or for something lik

e a second-hand car...

 

Key language

So, Rob paid £600 in the end. And here are the 'haggling expressions' that Finn talked about: 

1. 'Do' = sell

When we are haggling, instead of using the verb sell, we often use do. We use it withcan/can't and could/couldn't:

• I can probably do it for about £650.
• Can't you do it a bit cheaper?
• Could you do it for 500?
• You couldn't do it for £550?

2. To 'knock off'

This phrasal verb means 'lower the price'.

• Can you knock off another £30?
• I could knock off £10 for you.

3. When you've got a deal: 'Go on then'

To show that the price is agreed, it sounds very natural in spoken English for the buyer and/or the seller to say: Go on then.

• Buyer: £600?
• Seller: Go on then.
• Buyer: I'll give you £40 for it.
• Seller: Go on then.