Unique to digiMall
Our real-time bargaining feature brings the traditional Nigerian market experience online. Negotiate directly with sellers to get the best prices on products!
What is Bargaining?
Bargaining on digiMall is a real-time price negotiation system that allows you to:
- Chat directly with sellers about product prices
- Make counter-offers on listed prices
- Negotiate bulk discounts
- Get personalized deals based on your needs
Benefits of Bargaining
- Better Prices: Often get 5-30% off the listed price
- Build Relationships: Connect directly with vendors
- Custom Deals: Negotiate package deals or bulk orders
- Flexibility: Discuss delivery options, warranties, and extras
Starting a Bargain
Step-by-Step Process
- Find a Product: Browse to any product you're interested in
- Click "Bargain" Button: Located next to the "Add to Cart" button
- Enter Your Offer: Suggest your desired price
- Add a Message (Optional): Explain your offer or ask questions
- Submit: Send your offer to the seller
Quick Tip
Most sellers respond within 1-2 hours during business hours (9 AM - 6 PM WAT). For faster responses, bargain during these peak times.
The Negotiation Process
Understanding the Bargaining Interface
The bargaining chat window includes:
- Chat Area: Real-time messaging with the seller
- Price History: Track all offers and counter-offers
- Product Details: Quick reference to what you're negotiating
- Action Buttons: Accept, Reject, or Counter offers
- Timer: Shows remaining time for current offer (usually 24-48 hours)
Negotiation Flow
- Initial Offer: You make the first offer
- Seller Response: They can accept, reject, or counter
- Back and Forth: Continue negotiating until agreement
- Final Agreement: Both parties accept the final price
- Checkout: Proceed to purchase at agreed price
AI Price Suggestions
Our AI assistant can help by:
- Suggesting fair starting offers based on market data
- Showing price history for similar products
- Indicating if a seller's counter-offer is reasonable
- Recommending when to accept or continue negotiating
Best Practices for Successful Bargaining
Do's
- Research First: Check prices from multiple sellers
- Be Reasonable: Start with offers 15-25% below asking price
- Be Polite: Maintain professional communication
- Bundle Orders: Negotiate better prices for multiple items
- Respond Quickly: Keep the negotiation momentum
Don'ts
- Lowball: Extremely low offers (50%+ off) rarely work
- Be Rude: Aggressive tactics harm negotiations
- Ghost Sellers: Respond even if declining offers
- Make False Claims: Don't lie about competitor prices
Closing Deals
When to Accept an Offer
Consider accepting when:
- The price is within 5-10% of your target
- The seller has made multiple concessions
- You've been negotiating for over 24 hours
- The product is in high demand or limited stock
After Agreement
- Price Lock: Agreed price is locked for 48 hours
- Add to Cart: Product automatically adds at negotiated price
- Checkout: Complete purchase within the time limit
- Future Deals: Build relationship for future negotiations
Success Story
"I saved ₦15,000 on a laptop by bundling it with accessories. The seller was happy with the larger order, and I got everything I needed at a great price!" - Happy digiMall Customer
Common Issues and Solutions
Seller Not Responding
- Wait 24 hours for response (check seller's average response time)
- Try bargaining during business hours
- Move on to another seller if no response after 48 hours
Offer Expired
- Start a new bargaining session
- Reference your previous negotiation
- Act quickly on future offers
Can't Find Bargain Button
- Not all products are eligible for bargaining
- Fixed-price items may not have this option
- Some flash sale items exclude bargaining
Important Note
All bargaining conversations are monitored for safety. Attempts to conduct transactions outside of digiMall or share personal contact information may result in account suspension.