I'm planning to get my car service at a honda dealership but it is pretty expensive. I'm planning to haggle with them, before I do it, I want to get some opinion and tips (if there are) from people who have successfully attempt this.

 

You want to haggle on the price of your service at the dealership? Never heard of that one before but GL. Why not just take it to a reputable independent shop and save some money on labor.

 

what kind of service are you having done? I recently had pretty thorough 90k mile checkup and even had them do some extra things for me and found it to be VERY affordable.

Hondas are cheap to service!

 

280 for 18k miles service. not really sure what it includes

 

You don't know what it includes?
So you haggle over something that you don't know the true value of, get $30 off and a crappy service in return.

Or:
DIY, independent mechanic or pay up.

 

My advice would be not to take it to the stealership!

 

Call them and ask them what they are including in the service for that price...then you can figure out if it worth paying them to the do the work.
At 18k miles, they are probably only doing an oil change and then several "inspections" of brake / clutch fluid, brake pads, rotors, air filter, etc. At that mileage, I would replace the engine oil/filter, change the tranny fluid, change the diff fluid, and check/change the air filter if necessary (assuming you are not having any issues that may require more attention). All of these things can be done by you in a couple of hours with minimal tools and around $100.
Now you decide if having someone else do the work is worth the extra money.

 

So you have a newish $30k car and you're haggling over a measly $280?
Pick and choose your battles with the dealership especially if you are planning on using them in the future.

 

sign up with ur local honda dealer for them to send you internet coupons, a $65 oil change with a coupon becomes a $25 oil change, plus numerous other discounts, and it doesn't hurt to haggle, they might just give you a 10% break.

 

Often the best way to haggle with a dealership is merely to ask them about coupons they might have sent out... Often there is some sort of coupon that has recently gone out, and may only be applicable to certain people... but sometimes, with the right amount of pressure applied, you'll get a good deal.

Just make sure you do this before you've actually taken it in for the work, so they don't feel like they've already got your business anyway. Another good point: mention any other place that will do it for less.

Note: I don't waste my time doing this with typical service, but I've had great success doing it for work (repairs) on vehicles (with dealerships). Usually there's a good 10-25% of fat bonus cash they're stealing from you.

I routinely get 15-25% percent off on most major jobs. Just be firm and confident about it.