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My mother is often attributed as the Kung-Fu Queen of Negotiation. She bargains with an ease and serenity that only true masters possess. An analysis of my mother's skill has presented the following five tips that will enhance your negotiating ability in a way you never thought was possible:
1. No means No!
The primary rule of thumb for a good negotiator is the most basic. Learn to say no. . Let me help you. First, go find a mirror. Hey! Stop admiring yourself and pay attention! Now, say 'No.' Easy huh? Practice this daily and it will roll off your tongue in a couple of days, just like a cat coughs up furballs. Learning to say no is a skill made for the strong and honest. When you don't like the item being sold or the price it's being sold at, say no and walk away.
2. It's all about the look
Never, ever be so desperate that you have to do the 'Puppy Face' look to get what you want. It gets you nowhere and makes you look pathetic. Frankly, you will come across as childish and immature. Instead, keep a stern look because this is what shows strength. It means that you are not about to waver; when you want a bargain, you want it.
3. Weight Balance
Comparison is perhaps one of the best tricks to use when bargaining. Without any hesitation, make sure you tell the salesperson that he can do much better than what he's offering because you've seen similar items for much reasonable prices. Of course, make sure you give examples and do a little price research because a salesperson surely does his.
4. Trading Friends
Friends are fantastic, especially when you can get bargains on their behalf. To illustrate this, let's say that you were buying a piece of jewelry. With absolute subtlety, tell the salesperson that this store is a marvel and that your friends would like (not love) to see it (do not show extreme signs of excitement here, only be slightly enthusiastic). Afterward, tell the salesperson that your friends would be pleased (not ecstatic) and that you may recommend it to them. Hopefully, the salesperson will get the hint and offer you a bargain. Knowing that you'll give him future business, he'll be sure to give you a deal.
5. Do you dare to Question me?
Drown the salesperson with questions. This is your money, you worked hard for it and you have every right to interrogate him course. Make sure you ask questions pertaining to where the object is manufactured, how it is made, who sells it to them, whether child labor was involved, what the company's reputation is, and of course if refund arrangements can be made. The point of this is to make the salesperson sweat under the sun, which is you. For that reason, some of the best questions are those that involve what the object cannot do for you. For instance, if you are buying a car, you may choose to ask the car salesman if it has the Onstar system, which you love, installed in the car. Consequently, he may say no and then change the topic. However, you, being on your feet, should stop him and disappointedly repeat, 'So you don't have the system installed?' Knowing that the uninstalled system, of which you love so much, may hinder your desire to buy the car, he or she will be more eager to give you a bargain.
And that's it! Well I have some more...but we'll stop for now.
This, my dear consumers, is your money. You worked hard for it. The extra money you save can be donated and used by someone in dire need, it can go towards educational funds for yourself or your children, or it can be used for grocery, furniture, or clothes shopping. Never even remotely think that salespersons care for your plans.
Remember, Caveat Emptor, buyer beware: follow these five bullets of negotiation to show those merchants of sale that if they can't give you the deal, you simply won't buy their product.
By Alison (17 yrs)
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