Bargain vs. Deal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 28, 2024
"Bargain" emphasizes negotiation to reach an advantageous price, while "deal" refers to an agreement or offer, often highlighting the value obtained.
Difference Between Bargain and Deal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A "bargain" typically involves a process of negotiation or finding an item at a significantly lower price than expected, suggesting effort or discovery on the part of the buyer to achieve favorable terms. It carries a connotation of skill or luck in securing a good value. For instance, finding a high-quality product at a clearance sale could be considered a bargain. On the other hand, a "deal" refers to a broader concept of an agreement or arrangement, often between parties, that results in mutual benefit. It can also describe a special offer by retailers that represents good value, not necessarily requiring negotiation by the buyer. Deals are commonly advertised by sellers to attract customers with the promise of savings or added value.
Bargains are often associated with individual efforts to reduce costs, whether through haggling in a market or spotting a discounted item in a store. The term suggests a proactive approach by the buyer to spend less. Conversely, deals are typically pre-arranged by sellers or between parties and may include not only discounts but also bundles or added benefits that enhance value, such as "buy one, get one free" offers or packages that include additional services.
In the context of shopping, securing a bargain is seen as a victory for the consumer, often requiring timing, knowledge, or negotiation skills. Deals, while also beneficial, are presented by sellers as part of their pricing strategy or promotional efforts, making them more accessible to a wide range of customers without the need for negotiation.
The pursuit of bargains is sometimes viewed as a challenge or hobby, where individuals take pride in their ability to find products at significantly reduced prices. Deals, however, are generally considered a smart shopping strategy, where consumers take advantage of special offers to save money or receive greater value on their purchases.
While both "bargain" and "deal" indicate a favorable purchase situation, the nuances between them highlight the difference in how the favorable terms are achieved. Bargains imply a more active role of the buyer in seeking out or negotiating lower prices, while deals suggest a more passive receipt of value offered by the seller or agreed upon between parties.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An advantageous purchase obtained through negotiation or discovery.
An agreement or offer that provides good value.
Connotation
Skill or luck in obtaining a lower price.
Mutual benefit or savings from a pre-arranged offer.
Process
Involves negotiation or spotting discounted items.
Pre-arranged by sellers, often as part of promotional efforts.
Buyer's Role
Proactive in seeking lower prices.
Takes advantage of existing offers without needing to negotiate.
Example
Finding a high-quality item at a clearance sale.
A "buy one, get one free" promotional offer.
Compare with Definitions
Bargain
Perceived as a victory or achievement by the buyer.
Getting that antique table at half price was a real bargain.
Deal
An agreement or special offer that provides good value.
The phone company's deal included a new smartphone with a 2-year contract.
Bargain
Can evoke pride or satisfaction in the buyer.
Finding bargains at thrift stores has become her proud hobby.
Deal
Saves money or adds value without the need for negotiation.
Their meal deal offers a drink, entrée, and dessert at a reduced price.
Bargain
A favorable purchase made through negotiation or finding a discounted price.
She found a designer dress at a bargain price, far below its retail value.
Deal
Usually pre-arranged and widely available to consumers.
This week's deal on kitchen appliances saved us a lot of money.
Bargain
Often necessitates negotiation skills or timing.
He is skilled at bargaining with vendors to get the best price.
Deal
Part of sellers’ marketing to attract customers.
The store offered deals on electronics for Black Friday.
Bargain
Requires effort or luck to secure a lower price.
Hunting for bargains at garage sales can be very rewarding.
Deal
Considered a smart shopping or business strategy.
Signing up for the deal saved her hundreds on her annual subscription.
Bargain
To negotiate the terms of an agreement, as to sell or exchange.
Deal
To give out in shares or portions; apportion
A critic who deals out as much praise as blame.
Bargain
An agreement between parties fixing obligations that each promises to carry out.
Deal
To distribute (playing cards) among players.
Bargain
An agreement establishing the terms of a sale or exchange of goods or services
Reached a bargain with the antique dealer over the lamp.
Deal
To give (a specific card) to a player while so distributing.
Bargain
Property acquired or services rendered as a result of such an agreement.
Deal
To sell
Deal prescriptions.
Deal cocaine.
Bargain
Something offered or acquired at a price advantageous to the buyer
That silk dress is a bargain at that price.
Deal
To administer; deliver
Dealt him a blow to the stomach.
Bargain
To engage in collective bargaining.
Deal
To be occupied or concerned
A book that deals with the Middle Ages.
Bargain
To arrive at an agreement.
Deal
To behave in a specified way toward another or others; have transactions
Deal honestly with competitors.
Bargain
To exchange; trade
Bargained my watch for a meal.
Deal
To take action with respect to someone or something
The committee will deal with this complaint.
Bargain
An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds himself to transfer the right to some property for a consideration, and the other party binds himself to receive the property and pay the consideration.
Deal
(Informal) To cope
I can't deal with all of this arguing!.
Bargain
An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.
Deal
To do business; trade
Dealing in diamonds.
Bargain
An item purchased for significantly less than the usual, or recommended, price
Deal
(Games) To distribute playing cards.
Bargain
A gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase.
To buy a thing at a bargain
At that price, it's not just a bargain, it's a steal.
Deal
(Slang) To buy and sell drugs, especially illegally.
Bargain
The thing stipulated or purchased.
Deal
(Baseball) To throw a pitch.
Bargain
(intransitive) To make a bargain; to make a deal or contract for the exchange of property or services; to negotiate
They had to bargain for a few minutes to get a decent price for the rug.
Deal
The act or a round of apportioning or distributing.
Bargain
(transitive) To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade
Deal
Distribution of playing cards.
Bargain
An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds himself to transfer the right to some property for a consideration, and the other party binds himself to receive the property and pay the consideration.
A contract is a bargain that is legally binding.
Deal
The cards so distributed; a hand.
Bargain
An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.
And whon your honors mean to solemnizeThe bargain of your faith.
Deal
The right or turn of a player to distribute the cards.
Bargain
A purchase; also ( when not qualified), a gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase; as, to buy a thing at a bargain.
Deal
The playing of one hand.
Bargain
The thing stipulated or purchased; also, anything bought cheap.
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.
Deal
An indefinite quantity, extent, or degree
Has a great deal of experience.
Bargain
To make a bargain; to make a contract for the exchange of property or services; - followed by with and for; as, to bargain with a farmer for a cow.
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives.
Deal
An agreement, especially one that is mutually beneficial.
Bargain
To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade; as, to bargain one horse for another.
Deal
A business transaction
Struck a deal to buy a car dealership.
Bargain
An agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each;
He made a bargain with the devil
He rose to prominence through a series of shady deals
Deal
A legal contract
Signed a deal to play for a new team.
Bargain
An advantageous purchase;
She got a bargain at the auction
The stock was a real buy at that price
Deal
(Informal) A sale favorable especially to the buyer; a bargain.
Bargain
Negotiate the terms of an exchange;
We bargained for a beautiful rug in the bazaar
Deal
(Informal) Treatment received
A raw deal.
A fair deal.
Bargain
Come to terms; arrive at an agreement
Deal
(Informal) The situation or background information regarding something
What's the deal with the new teacher?.
Deal
A fir or pine board cut to standard dimensions.
Deal
Such boards or planks considered as a group.
Deal
Fir or pine wood.
Deal
(obsolete) A division, a portion, a share, a part, a piece.
We gave three deals of grain in tribute to the king.
Deal
(often followed by of) An indefinite quantity or amount; a lot (now usually qualified by great or good).
Deal
An act of dealing or sharing out.
Deal
(card games) The distribution of cards to players; a player's turn for this.
I didn’t have a good deal all evening.
I believe it's your deal.
Deal
A particular instance of trading (buying or selling; exchanging; bartering); a transaction.
We need to finalise the deal with Henderson by midnight.
Recognizing the societal deal between capital and labor regarding retirement savings
Deal
(in particular) A transaction offered which is financially beneficial; a bargain.
Deal
An agreement between parties; an arrangement.
He made a deal with the devil.
Deal
(informal) A situation, occasion, or event.
What's the deal here?
Their new movie is the biggest deal of the year.
I don't think that's such a big deal.
Deal
(informal) A thing, an unspecified or unidentified object.
The deal with four tines is called a pitchfork.
Deal
(uncountable) Wood that is easy to saw (from conifers such as pine or fir).
Deal
(countable) A plank of softwood (fir or pine board).
Deal
A wooden board or plank, usually between 12 or 14 feet in length, traded as a commodity in shipbuilding.
Deal
(a) Male genitalia.
He saw my deal!
Deal
(transitive) To distribute among a number of recipients, to give out as one’s portion or share.
The fighting is over; now we deal out the spoils of victory.
Deal
(transitive) To administer or give out, as in small portions.
Deal
(ambitransitive) To distribute cards to the players in a game.
I was dealt four aces.
The cards were shuffled, and the croupier dealt.
Deal
(transitive) deliver damage, a blow, strike or cut. To inflict.
The boxer was dealt a blow to the head.
Deal
(baseball) To pitch.
The whole crowd waited for him to deal a real humdinger.
Deal
(intransitive) To have dealings or business.
Deal
(intransitive) To conduct oneself, to behave.
Deal
To take action; to act.
Deal
(intransitive) To trade professionally (followed by in).
She deals in gold.
Deal
(ambitransitive) To sell, especially to sell illicit drugs.
This club takes a dim view of members who deal drugs.
Deal
(intransitive) To be concerned with.
Deal
(intransitive) To handle, to manage, to cope.
I can't deal with this.
Deal
Made of deal.
A plain deal table
Deal
A part or portion; a share; hence, an indefinite quantity, degree, or extent, degree, or extent; as, a deal of time and trouble; a deal of cold.
Three tenth deals [parts of an ephah] of flour.
As an object of science it [the Celtic genius] may count for a good deal . . . as a spiritual power.
She was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect.
Deal
The process of dealing cards to the players; also, the portion disturbed.
The deal, the shuffle, and the cut.
Deal
Distribution; apportionment.
Deal
An arrangement to attain a desired result by a combination of interested parties; - applied to stock speculations and political bargains.
Deal
The division of a piece of timber made by sawing; a board or plank; particularly, a board or plank of fir or pine above seven inches in width, and exceeding six feet in length. If narrower than this, it is called a batten; if shorter, a deal end.
Deal
Wood of the pine or fir; as, a floor of deal.
Deal
Specifically: To distribute, as cards, to the players at the commencement of a game; as, to deal the cards; to deal one a jack.
Deal
To make distribution; to share out in portions, as cards to the players.
Deal
To do a distributing or retailing business, as distinguished from that of a manufacturer or producer; to traffic; to trade; to do business; as, he deals in flour.
They buy and sell, they deal and traffic.
This is to drive to wholesale trade, when all other petty merchants deal but for parcels.
Deal
To act as an intermediary in business or any affairs; to manage; to make arrangements; - followed by between or with.
Sometimes he that deals between man and man, raiseth his own credit with both, by pretending greater interest than he hath in either.
Deal
To conduct one's self; to behave or act in any affair or towards any one; to treat.
If he will deal clearly and impartially, . . . he will acknowledge all this to be true.
Deal
To contend (with); to treat (with), by way of opposition, check, or correction; as, he has turbulent passions to deal with.
The deacons of his church, who, to use their own phrase, "dealt with him" on the sin of rejecting the aid which Providence so manifestly held out.
Return . . . and I will deal well with thee.
Deal
A particular instance of buying or selling;
It was a package deal
I had no further trade with him
He's a master of the business deal
Deal
An agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each;
He made a bargain with the devil
He rose to prominence through a series of shady deals
Deal
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Deal
A plank of softwood (fir or pine board)
Deal
Wood that is easy to saw (from conifers such as pine or fir)
Deal
The cards held in a card game by a given player at any given time;
I didn't hold a good hand all evening
He kept trying to see my hand
Deal
The type of treatment received (especially as the result of an agreement);
He got a good deal on his car
Deal
The act of distributing playing cards;
The deal was passed around the table clockwise
Deal
The act of apportioning or distributing something;
The captain was entrusted with the deal of provisions
Deal
Deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression;
This book deals with incest
The course covered all of Western Civilization
The new book treats the history of China
Deal
Take action with respect to (someone or something);
How are we going to deal with this problem?
The teacher knew how to deal with these lazy students
Deal
Take into consideration for exemplifying purposes;
Take the case of China
Consider the following case
Deal
Come to terms or deal successfully with;
We got by on just a gallon of gas
They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
Deal
Administer or bestow, as in small portions;
Administer critical remarks to everyone present
Dole out some money
Shell out pocket money for the children
Deal a blow to someone
Deal
Do business; offer for sale as for one's livelihood;
She deals in gold
The brothers sell shoes
Deal
Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of;
I can deal with this crew of workers
This blender can't handle nuts
She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old
Deal
Behave in a certain way towards others;
He deals fairly with his employees
Deal
Distribute to the players in a game;
Who's dealing?
Deal
Direct the course of; manage or control;
You cannot conduct business like this
Deal
Give out as one's portion or share
Deal
Give (a specific card) to a player;
He dealt me the Queen of Spades
Deal
Sell;
Deal hashish
Deal
Made of fir or pine;
A plain deal table
Common Curiosities
What distinguishes a bargain from a deal?
A bargain typically results from negotiation or finding an item at a low price, emphasizing the buyer's effort, whereas a deal refers to an advantageous offer or agreement, often pre-arranged and highlighting value.
Can you negotiate a deal?
Yes, while deals are often pre-arranged, negotiation can sometimes improve the terms, particularly in services or business agreements.
Is a sale considered a bargain or a deal?
Sales can offer both bargains and deals. Items with significant markdowns are bargains, while promotional offers during a sale are deals.
Why do companies offer deals?
Companies offer deals to attract customers, clear inventory, or promote new products, aiming to increase sales and customer loyalty.
Are online coupons considered bargains or deals?
Online coupons are generally considered deals, as they provide a pre-arranged discount without the need for negotiation.
What role does timing play in finding bargains and deals?
Timing is crucial; end-of-season sales offer bargains, while deals often occur during promotional periods or holidays.
How can consumers find bargains?
Consumers can find bargains by shopping during clearance sales, negotiating prices, or purchasing off-season items.
Can a deal be disadvantageous?
Yes, if a deal encourages unnecessary spending or includes unfavorable terms, it might not be beneficial in the long run.
How can consumers ensure they're getting a good deal?
Consumers can ensure a good deal by comparing prices, reading terms carefully, and considering the total value of the offer.
Why might someone prefer deals over bargains?
Someone might prefer deals for convenience, as they offer straightforward savings without the need for negotiation or extensive searching.
What's the benefit of focusing on bargains?
Focusing on bargains can lead to significant savings on purchases, allowing for a budget to stretch further.
How do you know if a bargain is truly valuable?
A bargain is valuable if it meets your needs, offers a significant price reduction, and involves products of good quality.
Is haggling common for both bargains and deals?
Haggling is more associated with obtaining bargains, though it can sometimes improve the terms of deals, especially in personal services or business-to-business transactions.
How do personal preferences affect perceptions of bargains and deals?
Personal preferences significantly impact what one considers a bargain or a deal, as value is subjective and based on individual needs and interests.
How do cultural differences impact the approach to bargains and deals?
Cultural differences can influence the emphasis on negotiation, the perception of value, and the willingness to seek out bargains or accept deals, affecting shopping behaviors and business practices globally.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
