<p>I was curious if dorm room rates are set and stone, or are able to be brought down. I heard, maybe rumors, that the price can be negotiated some what like a car purchase. Any opinions?</p>
<p>Have never heard of dorm rates being negotiable, and if they were, you can bet we parents would be all over it here! ;)</p>
<p>Doubtful. Most schools have more students than housing space. The only way something like that would work is at a school that has a low occupancy.</p>
<p>I have never, ever, heard of “negotiable” dorm rates either. </p>
<p>I can’t imagine why the school would lower the rate for one student and risk having dozens – if not hundreds – of other students/parents getting very hacked off when they find out others are paying less than they are for a comparable room. What incentive would the school have to negotiate? The student normally does not have any bargaining power, since most schools have no trouble filling up their on-campus housing.</p>
<p>If some kids were able to “haggle” the price down the info would “get out” and people would be furious.</p>
<p>The only thing a Uni could likely do is give a scholarship or grant that could then be applied to the housing cost. But, I could only see that happening with a very desirable high stats student.</p>
<p>No, they can’t be haggled. Because a lot of what the room rates pay for is a communal cost that can’t be made less for a particular student. Room rates cover staff to clean the halls and communal bathrooms for example. And they pay for heat and electricity for the building. And they provide the basic furniture, the internet/cable connection. You couldn’t lessen any of those things for one particular student, because all the students in the building share them in common, so it wouldn’t be fair for one student to pay less and get the same services. </p>
<p>Plus, God, it’s not like college administrations don’t have enough to deal with. Standardized rates are standard so that all students are treated fairly and get the same level of services from there rooms.</p>
<p>Why don’t you give it a try, and report back here so that all of us will know how it went? We’d all love a bargain!</p>
<p>I doubt it. Have never heard of anyone even attempting it.</p>
<p>Zero chance. If they are kind, they’ll wait till they hang up the phone before they start laughing. </p>
<p>Let this be a lesson to you about the reliability of rumors.</p>
<p>Maybe you’re on to something. See if you can’t get hold of an exec at Expedia or Orbitz to discuss this. Come early May of each year, colleges would post “first class” and “economy” vacancies so wait-listed students could vie for the cheapest room, board and tuition on a year-to-year or even semester basis. Gypsie Scholars!</p>
<p>Most colleges have different levels of accommodations. You can always choose the cheapest option. I don’t think that’s what you mean, though.</p>
<p>I love it! Tuition is $40,000/year- hmm, will you take $35,000 cash in hand? I’ll throw in a '95 chevy…</p>
<p>Now now parents, don’t tease the student LOL.</p>
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<p>Yes yes yes!</p>
<p>Haggling is usually an applicable pstrategy in businesses without returning clienteles. Go to the souvenir stand on your vacation and bargain down the straw basket? Sure - the guy before you will never know that you paid a third less than he did and the you’ll never know that the lady after you paid a third less than you did. But college students in communal facilities would all know by the end of the first couple days what they each paid, who got a bargain, and who got shafted. No business wants that kind of bad customer relations and no administrator needs that kind of blow-up.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of it, but upperclasspersons who work as RAs often get free or greatly reduced cost housing as compensation. It’s pretty hard work, though.</p>
<p>gadad but the airlines have been doing it for years and they get away with it. LOL.
If I find out I could have haggled down the cost of either kids dorm boy will I be disappointed. I grew up with antiquing parents, I can haggle with the best of them!</p>
<p>Never heard of “haggling” for dorm rates. </p>
<p>Re: being an RA…don’t assume that there will be a job for you as one just because you want it. Typically many more folks apply for these RA jobs than there are positions available.</p>
<p>A desired student could always ask the FA/scholarship office for $$ to be used towards housing, but even that’s no sure thing.</p>
<p>You can get a cheaper rate by agreeing to accept less desired housing. Triples should be cheaper than singles. It all depends on the university. Free room and board for RA’s if you can land that job but not generally available to freshman. Living off campus can be much cheaper and you will not be forced into a meal plan at most schools.</p>