Anyway, how do you people who have tougher (metaphorical) spines than I do, bargain in such a situation?

I think that the key to a strong bargain is two things: 1 - being willing to walk away. You can want it, but if you are willing to walk, you can negotiate harder and they sense that. 2 - make sure that you're talking to someone with the power to make a deal. There's no point in pulling out all of the stops with a guy who can only offer the party line. If he says "oh, I can't do that" say "May I speak to the manager" If he says "he'll tell you the same thing", then reply "I have some other things I'd like to discuss with him/her"

This is not a good economy, so they should be willing to work with you to get a sale. If in the previous situation you had made it clear that they were going to give you a new phone or you were leaving, they might have been willing to make a concession.

Also, think about other options. He might have had to charge you the $30, but maybe there were some accessories that he could have thrown in for free or a coupon or something.

I realize this marks me as a sad individual, but there you have it. I hate to bargain. It's too much like conflict, and I hate conflict.

not sad. Just conflict avoidant. I happen to do well with conflict, so let me help you :)

I'm also realizing that I *could* buy the smartphone through their Web site, since I don't need it right away, unlike The Boy (who needs a new phone ASAP, since his old one bit the dust).

I hadn't fully realised that walking away after asking a price could so clearly be interpreted as code for bargaining. Got me more than 50% off my favourite leather coat--I was seriously just asking the price of something I had no intention of buying, but he took my walking away as hard bargaining. I think I ended up paying 1/3 of list.

Be firm. Honestly mean to walk away.

Is there a reason you're not availing yourself of the web specials? (eta: since answered)

Smartphones are very hard to bargin over now. They are top of the list of WANT.

and now vs. 30.00 might be worth the money.

Also, Steph, if you don't need one right away (or don't need to use the idea of buying two phones to get a bargain), you might want to wait for January sales.

I have no idea about the bargaining.

I took a Vicodin. Mostly, it made me sleepy. A little less pain, too.

I actually don't even need a new phone at all, and didn't even really WANT one until last night. (I had been toying with getting an iPod Touch, but I didn't do that, either.) My current low-end phone does just fine.

But since The Boy *has* to go to the phone store, I started looking on their Web site to see what they have that might be fun.

I had ice cream. Now my mom's ordering Chinese food, and I'm getting noodles.

Options for the rest of the afternoon: nap, watch TV, read Twilight.

I actually don't even need a new phone at all, and didn't even really WANT one until last night.

I'm pretty sure the words are in English, but I have no idea what this sentence means...

I have no desire for a new phone either! My dragon phone serves me well, and it's RAZR thin and shit, so since I have no intention of paying twenty to thirty bucks more a month for a data plan, I don't need one of those fancy-schmancy phones with the Internet inside them.