When NOT to Negotiate

We constantly hear and read how important it is to negotiate well and that everything is negotiable. Amazon carries over seventy books on the topic so it's obviously a topic of interest.

I wonder if the people who advocate the "everything is negotiable" philosophy have a basic need just to win. I believe there are times that we shouldn't negotiate.: period. end of story. It makes no sense, the amount of money we save isn't significant and the person who reduces their price to satisfy the 24/7 negotiators may really need the extra $5 that in the big picture is not important to us.

On a recent trip to New York, I bought an absolutely stunning necklace that looks like a piece of art from a street merchant at 13th and Broadway. It caught my eye and when I tried it on, it looked stunning. When she said the price was $15, I was shocked. I was expecting it to be $50. I paid her the $15 and walked away wearing it.

That afternoon a woman in a restaurant complimented me on it as did a friend of my host. Of course, I couldn't resist saying where I bought it and for how much. An aside: We discovered that there are two types of snobs: 1. The Look how much I spent group and 2. The Look how much I saved group. I definitely fall in the second category.

Upon hearing the cost, one of the women said, "I am you could have bargained her down." Maybe I could have gotten her to reduce her prince $3 but why would I do that? To prove I could? That I am a great haggler? To win a few bucks off of someone who sells jewelry on the street? No , NO and No. My ego was not hinged on haggling. The three dollas meant less to me than it would mean for her.

Let's get smart and negotiate wisely and know when to say "no" to the unnecessary "hondling".

And how do you handle the haggling? susan@susanroane.com

Comments

[T]

Often times, the haggling is culturally based. As an Asian and an immigrant, I know the haggling behavior seems to be more prevalent in immigrant communities. Personally, I haggle only when I travel to countries where it IS expected of you, as you make a final purchase.

A few years ago, I stayed in line at an Asian grocery store(Bay Area)for 20 minutes. I was so embarrassed to find out that the woman at the front of the line haggling over 5 cents, was my Aunt. To avoid seeing her, I discreetly walked over to the cashier at the opposite end of the supermarket :-)

[Danny Baize]

I could not agree more. To many people use negotiations skills simply to manipulate, not to really get anything accomplished that is needed.

When I first got in sales my broker went to lunch with a group of us and proceeded to demonstrate how acting a little dissatisfied could get you a free meal, honestly I was not impressed and felt sorry for the waitress that she was led to believe the service was sub par.

Theres a time and place for negotiations, use those skills when needed not like a magic trick.

[Brad Shorr]

I think certain people love to negotiate every chance they get simply because they enjoy it. (Some people like to argue for the same reason.) In sales, dealing with an habitual negotiator is exhausting and often leads to broken relationships. BTW, just finished "How to Work a Room". It helped me a great deal.