Have you heard about the fantastic Currys World Cup Promotion?

You can get £10 cash for every goal England scores when you buy any TV priced at £599 or over.

Anyone who buys any TV at £599 or more at Currys.co.uk between 29 April and 11 June 2010. You will then need to go to www.cashforgoals.co.uk within 3 days of purchase to register. After 12 July, the customer then posts their registration certificate and a copy of their receipt to a given address which must arrive no later than 7 August.

Visit Currys.co.uk and cheer England on in the World Cup - the goals could be more vauluable than you imagine!

That's right, Buy a Toshiba TV before 10 June 2010 and get your money back if England win the World Cup!

Buy ANY Toshiba TV from The Co-operative Electrical Shop between now and June 10th 2010 and not only will you get a great deal on a top brand Toshiba LCD TV, you’ll also get your money back if England go all the way and win the Cup this Summer!!

Staying up late watching the election results? Pizza Hut has released a printable discount voucher that will give you 2 pizzas for the price of one in May. Find it here: http://vouchers.pizzahutoffers.co.uk/2for1may

The British are not exactly renowned for being great hagglers. The very idea of asking for a discount in a crowded shop would cause many Brits to blush! Attitudes are slowly starting to change however as customers start to realise their buying power in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Too embarrassed?

Some retail situations have traditionally been more amenable to bargaining than others. Examples of transactions where haggling is considered standard practice include auctions, car boot sales and private sales between individuals. Buying a house is just one situation where the buyer and seller are expected to negotiate the final purchase price. Until very recently though, few people would have dreamed of haggling in a traditional shop. Whilst a few canny consumers have been brave enough to haggle when buying large ticket items like sofas or TVs, most of us are just too shy to ask for a reduction in price.

Ask for that discount!

According to consumer experts, people power is on the rise and asking for discounts is becoming more socially acceptable. If you'd like to give haggling a try, there are a number of examples where you stand a better chance of securing a deal. Damaged or shop spoiled goods are often sold at a discount, as are end-of-line items. If you do negotiate a better price on a deal like this however, make sure you understand how your rights will be affected if you want to return or exchange the item at a later date.

Where to start

Warehouses and bulk purchase stores are a good place to discuss discounts as staff are often more used to negotiating with trade buyers. Some supermarkets offer deals on bulk buys such as multiple cases of wine - ask to find out what is available. If you are buying a car, you should expect to haggle and get a discount. Be prepared to walk away if you don't! The customer is king in the current economic climate and many retailers are desperate to shift goods. Use this to your advantage to get the best deals.

Large ticket electrical items are also a good bet for beginners to bargaining. Both small independent retailers and large chains can usually offer flexibility on price. Ask for a discount if you complete the purchase there and then, or ask if extras such as an extended warranty or accessories can be thrown-in for free. It is also often possible to knock the price down further on ex-display and sale models as retailers are keen to shift stock and make way for new products.

Start easy

If even the thought of asking for a discount is enough to make you blush, ease yourself in gently. Start with online retailers such as eBay sellers - you can ask the question in the knowledge that they will have been asked many times before, plus they won't be able to see if your cheeks turn red! Once you have succeeded in negotiating a bargain you will never look back, so be brave and give it a go.