Negotiating takes practice. Some people are born with good negotiation skills, because they have a natural ability to talk to people. But for the rest of us, it doesn’t come naturally, and practicing your negotiation skills in everyday situations will help you save a lot of money over a lifetime.
Don’t Ask For A Deal Right Away
Some people make a big mistake by asking for a discount or a lower price in the first breathe. Getting a deal takes time. Instead of immediately asking for a discount or a deal, talk about the features of the product with the salesperson. Ask them to research the product on Google Products to check prices on the internet. Ask for a discount without actually asking for it, then if the salesperson doesn’t get the hint, ask outright.
Connect With the Sales Person
Whether it’s a salesperson or someone selling on Craigslist, find something in common. Get to know the sales person. This is usually the tactic of the salesperson, so reversing it onto them will take them off guard, and it might cause them to let down their guard, which will soften them to the idea of giving you a deal. My grandfather was a master at this tactic. He would sit in a model home selling real estate and when a potential buyer came into the model, he spent the first 30 minutes talking about something completely different than real estate.
Do Your Research
If you don’t know your stuff, the salesperson will destroy you on facts and features, and they’ll convince you that the product you’re looking to buy is worth the fulll price. Cross-research is key. What brands offer what features for how much?
That’s Not Good Enough
Use the “That’s Not Good Enough” method of negotation. If someone offers a price or package, tell them that’s not good enough, take a step back, and don’t say anything more. Let them come up with another price. This works great when negotiating a car deal.
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