Negotiations can seem really scary because most people going into a negotiation feel that they are the underdog. The other person has the product and they can hold back for as long as they like. The first step to successful negotiations is knowing that it’s not true!
They Want it as Badly as You Do!
Negotiations are always two sided. They want the negotiation to be successful just as much as you do. The only reason anyone is willing to negotiate is because they want to come to an agreement. The reason that the negotiation often seems one sided is because the other side is informed and experience. If you want a fair negotiation, you need to be informed as well.
Get Informed
I was recently in the market for a used car. Before going to a dealership, I researched the types of cars available, found the car that I wanted and researched what the cars were selling for. When I walked into a dealership, I knew approximately how much the cars I was looking for were and how much of a profit the salesman wanted to make after negotiations. If I would have just walked in blind, I may have gotten the short end of the deal.
You can use the same strategy when signing up for a cell phone service. Every company has their set rates but at the same time, every company wants your business. Before signing up for a service, ask your friends and do some research online about what others are getting in their cell phone contract. You can usually squeeze in some extra features, more minutes or a cheaper phone.
Don’t be Afraid to Walk
If you are prepare for a negotiation and the person on the other side is not being reasonable, don’t be afraid to walk. There are plenty of people that are more than willing to negotiate with you. You give up that freedom when you emotionally attach yourself to a specific product.
Don’t Get Too Attached
When looking for a car, there are many dealerships that you can visit. When looking for a venue for a party, there are plenty of venues around. But, when you get emotionally attached to a specific venue and your party “must be here”, you give the other person in the negotiation the upper hand and he can pretty much charge you whatever he wants.
Don’t be Persuaded Towards Something Else
When you are buying a new flat screen TV set, you walk into a store and speak to a representative. The rep may push you towards a certain product because he makes a better commission on it or has some other reason to push it on you. By knowing what you are looking for and being educated, you won’t get pushed around by a salesman with an agenda.
These are just a few ideas to get lucky in negotiations. If you have more, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
Picture Credit: US Mission Geneva