Personally, I prefer to make my decision before I go to the sales person. I do all the cross checking, feature research, etc before I leave home. Everything is on the internet. It’s not like we don’t have info at our fingertips constantly. Then when I’m there, I don’t have to waste time (this is a big one to me) talking and being upsold.

I feel the same way. It’s the same online. There is always some kind of coupon or offer you have to find in order to get the real price for something. I try to research as much as possible before buying anything big and use platforms that compare prices or tell you how much the same item used to cost. That somewhat helps, but my sly sister always gets another discount on top.

I’ve spent a fair number of time in computer and photography shops, and also been in the retail side for the latter. Here’re my tips for retail stuff!

1. Always know what you’re looking to get. Do your own research first. If you need to rely on the sales person to make a recommendation, you’ve already lost. There’s always a community of enthusiasts to rely on. Find them.

2. Always do a price check with various reputable sources first. That way you have a rough idea of the price range.

3. If add-ons of any kind are being recommended, say no and research first. Don’t fall to pressure tactics to get them. If the salesperson is geniunely being helpful with the add-ons, they’ll be happy to let you come back another day to get it. If they’re saying you have to act now, it’s a high-pressure tactic to sell higher-margin products to pad their bottom line.

4. If a similar but alternative product is being hawked at you, again, do research first then come back. There’s always a motive behind that. Sometimes it’s just a need to clear stock of an otherwise decent product, but usually it’s because the profit margin is higher, there’re sales targets to hit etc.

One thing that I found helpful is you shouldn’t be afraid to say no and walk away. Not to say you should be a dick though, just remember that you have the option to refuse the deal. Also, if you’re like me and feel bad about wasting people time when you decide to say no after lengthy negotiation, you can send the other party non-monetary thank you gift later to ease your conscience.

I mean, you have the right attitude. I also feel like everything these days is a scam. It used to be that someone was just trying to get a fair shake for the value of their labor. Buy a refrigerator you get a quality, supported, and long term product worth the money. Now, it feels like I am getting something specifically designed to squeeze as much money from me as possible.

My two cents on ways to avoid the swindle.

• Abandon brand loyalty of any kind. A good brand will become a hollowed out shell only focused on profit
• Buy tech that is relatively new. The first few years of a new production product are usually the best engineered. The best VHS tapes were made when the tech was new. Same thing for new laptop designs, or M.2 Ssd, etc. Later in tech cycle they cheapen everything to make more profit and design in failure to keep you buying.
• Assume money and greed is the reason for company behavior above all else. That will properly contextualize and answer most questions you have for why things are the way they are.