Prices & Bargaining
Use these phrases to inquire about prices, negotiate discounts politely, and reach an agreement at flea markets or second-hand shops in German-speaking countries.
Key Phrases
Was willst du denn dafür haben?
casualHow much do you want for this?
Common at flea markets or informal stalls where using 'du' is standard.
Könnten Sie mir sagen, wie viel das hier kostet?
politeCould you tell me how much this costs?
A polite indirect question to use with shopkeepers or antique vendors.
Puh, das ist mir ehrlich gesagt ein bisschen zu teuer.
casualPhew, that is honestly a bit too expensive for me.
Signals hesitation clearly and informally without being rude.
Das liegt leider etwas über dem Budget, das ich mir gesetzt habe.
politeUnfortunately, that is somewhat above the budget I set for myself.
Diplomatic way to decline a price before opening negotiations.
Kann man am Preis vielleicht noch etwas machen?
neutralIs there any flexibility on the price?
The most natural, standard German phrase to test if a price is negotiable.
Wäre es eventuell möglich, einen kleinen Preisnachlass zu bekommen?
politeWould it perhaps be possible to receive a small discount?
Cautious and courteous phrasing using Konjunktiv II for higher-value items.
Hier ist ein kleiner Kratzer am Rand, geht da preislich noch was?
neutralThere is a small scratch on the edge here, is there room to lower the price?
Points out visible wear as a fair justification for bargaining.
Bekäme ich einen Rabatt, wenn ich gleich beide Teile nehme?
neutralWould I get a discount if I take both items together?
A practical question when buying multiple items from the same seller.
Für zwanzig Euro würde ich es direkt mitnehmen.
casualFor twenty euros, I would take it right away.
Expresses firm intent to buy immediately to motivate the seller.
Würden Sie das Stück auch für dreißig Euro abgeben?
neutralWould you also part with this piece for thirty euros?
Polite counter-offer using the standard verb 'abgeben'.
Was wäre denn dein absolut letzter Preis dafür?
casualWhat would be your absolute bottom price for that?
Direct inquiry to cut through long back-and-forth bargaining.
Wo liegt denn Ihre Schmerzgrenze bei diesem Angebot?
politeWhat is the lowest price you would be willing to accept?
'Schmerzgrenze' (pain threshold) is an everyday, idiomatic term in German negotiations.
Können wir uns vielleicht in der Mitte bei fünfundzwanzig Euro treffen?
neutralCould we perhaps meet in the middle at twenty-five euros?
Standard compromise formula once both parties have named different numbers.
Alles klar, abgemacht, dafür nehme ich es mit!
casualAll right, deal, I will take it for that!
'Abgemacht' is the universal spoken confirmation for a completed deal.
Gut, mit dieser Einigung bin ich vollkommen einverstanden.
politeGood, I am completely satisfied with this agreement.
Polite and proper closing phrase when concluding a purchase.