That was a terrible mistake for the Government." Pensioners' groups criticised the Chancellor for not putting more money into raising the state pension for all.The Institute for Fiscal Studies, the independent analysts, said it was "hard to see" how the Budget plans for a £200 cut in council tax was worth more than the Tory or Liberal Democrat proposals. Frank Field, the former pensions minister, said the offer of up to £2,500 was the "biggest bribe since the anti-corruption Act under Gladstone".A key Tory strategist said Conservative polling showed Tony Blair and Gordon Brown had failed to make an impact with the grey vote before the Budget. Labour privately admitted it was being hurt on the doorsteps by the Tory offer of up to £500 off the highest council tax bills each year for five years."It's not making any difference in the opinion polls, but it is a factor on the doorsteps according to our canvassing," said one senior Labour strategist. "It's up to you whether you want a deal on the price or the extras We can do either.". The three main parties were vying for the "grey vote" with Labour claiming that Gordon Brown's Budget sweeteners would reach almost three million more pensioners than the Tories' proposals. "There will be the discount but no add-ons," said the salesman.Dovercourt, BatterseaList price: £12,830 with paint, with the £335 costfor the metallic paint knocked off.SG Motor in Norwood, south LondonList price including paint: £12,830.
Agreed to knock "around £500 off".Gilbert Lawton in Altrincham, Manchester List price: £12,830 knocked down to: £12,425.Salesman offered either paying the full list price with free extras (alloy wheels was briefly mentioned) or the knock-down price above. What Car? magazine said that the figure was £1,337 in 2004, £1,200 in 2003 and just £997 in 2002.THE ROAD TESTThe Independent haggled with five dealers for a VW Golf 1.4, five-door diamond black pearl, which has a recommended retail price of £12,495, plus £335 for metallic paint. What Car? found the average price after haggling was £11,814 (without metallic paint).Alan Day, Embankment, central LondonList price: £12,495, plus £335 paint cost possibly knocked down to "under £12,500 with free air conditioning and free paint".Dane County, CheshireList price: £12,495, knocked down by £500. "If the salesman suddenly grinds to a halt and you're pretty near a good deal, then ask for free options such as alloy wheels or a CD player."The most generous discounts, after Citro?s 18 per cent, were MG Rover, which offered 15.8 per cent, or £2,597, discount, followed by Proton, for which the haggler could shave off £1,345 (13.3 per cent), and Renault, which took almost 13 per cent (£2,118) from the price.The national average discount of £1,578 is higher than in previous years. They find it a bit unsavoury, but I also think that people are more switched on to it now, and are prepared to save money through haggling," he said.The magazine's bidding tips included visiting the dealership in person rather than attempting to reach a satisfactory offer on the phone, as well as asking for add-ons if sales staff were resistant to dropping the price further.
People are used to seeing a price and bidding for lower than that because they are dealing with such a lot of money," he said.Mr Pollard added that while many had realised the benefits of the "showroom haggle", there were some who were still naive enough to buy a car without bidding "I think the British are not particularly good at haggling. "Buying a new car is the second biggest expense after buying a house, and no one buys a house at list price. They bargain with showrooms to give the reader a recommended "target price".Tim Pollard, the deputy editor of the magazine, said prospective car owners should never expect to pay the price on the windscreen in a showroom. He said his organisation had committed itself to trying to make the PPP work.In a statement, Tube Lines expressed disappointment that the report did not recognise the progress made on day-to-day performance and in rebuilding the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.. It might not be very British but haggling with a showroom salesman over the price of a new car can save motorists an average of almost £1,600.
