Comments on: The Negotiator

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 07 May 2009 04:57:47 +0000

WTG! Although the money saved is awesome, venturing just past the edge of your comfort level that usually held you back is the best part of all!

By: TStrump

TStrump — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:02:23 +0000

The toughest part is getting over that feeling of ‘looking too pushy’ or ‘being annoying’.
You have to be shameless, actually – when are you ever going to see these people again?

By: Do You Dave Ramsey?

Do You Dave Ramsey? — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:29:17 +0000

Great stories… thanks for sharing. This should inspire us all to ask for deals or special offers when we’re about to do business!

Thanks for sharing!
Dave

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:50:54 +0000

You can find great bargains at flea markets or local shops so be ready to negotiate. I think its a skill and test of wits.

By: ZemoG

ZemoG — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:32:28 +0000

I grew up in the farmer market where my mother had a stand; she was negotiating all the time. I like doing from time to time, but my wife dooes not let me do it. She says that am taking advantage of that person. If you buy more than one, they give a discount.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:04:54 +0000

A really good way to learn negotiating is to stop at any local garage sales you pass on the weekends. Take a minute and just dig through the stuff laid out. If you find something you think would be a good addition to your belongings, then ask how much they want for it and let the negotiating begin. That’s one way to learn to be better at it.

By: Corporate Barbarian

Corporate Barbarian — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:05:25 +0000

My father was a better negotiator than me, I’m more of a pushover. His secret was that you should be prepared to walk away if your price isn’t met.

By: Leah

Leah — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:44:58 +0000

I hate asking for discounts or money (which explains why I’m terrible at fundraising, even though I love doing charity events). I’ll shop around for the best price, and that’s about as close as I’ll get to actually negotiating. I feel like if someone says a price for something (this is especially true for Craigslist) is $XX, asking them to reduce that price is implying I don’t think the item is worth that much, insulting the seller. Weird, I know. If it’s an article of clothing or something, I might ask to knock a little off, but it’s very rare.

Funny story about negotiating in a home improvement store: my boyfriend works in the outside lawn & garden department at a home improvement chain on nights and weekends. A man came in to buy a wheelbarrow. A customer service rep goes up to him and asks if he needs any help. The customer points out a scratch on the inside of the wheelbarrow. The customer service rep says to the customer, “What are you gonna be movin’, marshmallows?”

Moral of the story: not worth negotiating a lower price on a product with a “defect” if the product is likely to be riddled with the same “defects” after the first use!

By: Sherin

Sherin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:42:04 +0000

My negotiations only based on ‘want’ and ‘need’. If it is a ‘need’ item for me, probably I will pay the amount mentioned or it without any bargaining. But, I never failed to check with multiple stores to know the best price for same item.

If an item falling to the ‘want’ category, I was generally negotiating the price. I even ready to wait some more time if there is a possibility to get enough discounts.

any thoughts?

By: Jeff@StretchyDollar

Jeff@StretchyDollar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:52:07 +0000

That’s cool! Congratulations! I’d really like to be a better negotiator but sometimes I’m just too chicken. I guess I have nothing to lose, right?