Trade Away This Bad Negotiating Technique
As I look around my basement, I realize that maybe I’m hanging on to too much stuff. When I trade for goods and services (some call that “negotiating”), I realize I’m also pretty good at hanging on to my profit when I’m the seller, and my money when I’m the buyer. How good are you at hanging on to what you already have? One simple technique can make you much better at it.
This works even when no money is trading hands. Perhaps just your time is involved. Maybe your boss wants you to take on “just one more thing.” Or you’ve been scheduled for one more meeting. Pretty soon you’re overwhelmed and kicking yourself for saying “Yes” a few too many times. Maybe you can’t say “No” either, but there is another option.
Bad Negotiating Exemplified
Let’s imagine for a moment you’re a seller engaged in a dialog with a potential buyer that goes like this:
- Buyer: “You’re higher than your competition. What can you do when you sharpen your pencil?”
- Seller: “I am authorized to match our competition’s price.”
- Buyer: “Great! Unfortunately, I see your standard shipping is 2 weeks, and I need it on Tuesday. Can you do that?”
- Seller: “I can expedite shipping for you. You can have it by Tuesday if you order now.”
- Buyer: “Nice! But I won’t be able to use it without the accessories kit. Will you include it at no charge if I buy?”
- Seller: “Sure, I’ll do that just for you, because you’re special.”
Let’s stop our example there, although the dialog (and the concessions) certainly didn’t stop there. Notice that at no time did the Buyer commit to the purchase, despite the fact that the Seller has discounted away profit and increased costs by expediting shipping and giving away accessories. The Buyer is “on a roll”; why wouldn’t they keep asking for more concessions?
They will, because they are grinding, a Read more »
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