Skip to main content

5 strategies that can get you a better deal



I recently had to get an arborist to do some tree pruning at our house. An arborist is not someone that I would call on very often hence I wondered how do I know that I got the best offer? Yes, you can get a comparison quote, which I did get, but then again was this the best offer I could get?

Here are 5 steps that help to get a better deal.


1)     Build rapport
People like to deal with people they like, so why burn your bridges and play hard ball.  People like to be of help so assume good intentions build rapport and trust.

2)     Reject the offer politely
Tell the other party that their price is too high. While you would like to consider them for the job you would like them to review their offer.

3)     Think about their motivations
Put yourself in their shoes. What motivates them to get this work? Is it money, is it the prospect of more work or do they need the job because business is slow at the moment? People have different motivations and it is important that you figure out the motivations of the other party so you can gauge whether or not you can get a better deal.

4)     Make them feel powerless and achieve the opposite
People like to be in charge or at least be perceived as such. The next step is to test this by making assumptions. Say something like ‘I understand this is above your powers.’ ‘I can see that this is out of your control’. In most cases this achieves the opposite and the other party will move in their offer.

5)     Leave with a good impression
Finally, leave on good terms, no matter if you have come to a deal or not. There is no need to be arrogant, angry or rude. You never know when you will meet the other party again. People move around and as the saying goes ‘You always meet twice’.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Black Friday and why it is not worth it if you are a great negotiator.

All last week was hyped up by ‘Black Friday’ Sales. But what is it and why do we have it in Australia and is it worth it? Black Friday originates from the US and is the Friday after Thanksgiving which is the fourth Friday in November. Thanksgiving is a public holiday in the US. In the 1950s people used the Friday as a sick day and went shopping to get a head start in their Christmas shopping. Eventually in the 1960s this day turned into another paid leave day or shall we say into a paid ‘shopping day’. It has become a made-up event to drive consumerism. Many believe the term ‘Black Friday’ is used for profit making; black numbers in the ledger books; but that is not entirely correct. While this is the meaning today it meant something totally different in the 50s and 60s.  According to Bonnie Taylor Blake, a researcher at the University of North California, the term originated in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia police as they saw the day as a terrible day. The city was...
2 comments
Read more

Top 5 negotiation tactics that are used by buyers

When a buyer and a seller negotiate over a deal it is in the interest of each party to get the best deal possible. Here are the four most common tactics buyers use in a negotiation in order to get to the best deal possible. The Russian Front This is a tactic whereby the buyer presents the seller with only two options.   One is so terrible; it feels like being sent to the Russian Front which makes you agree to the other options. Compared to the first option the second option does not look that bad now. Don’t make the other party put you under pressure, don’t accept either option. Ask for an alternative or come up with a counter proposal. Good guy bad guy In this tactic you have one person making very high demands. This person is also often cold an unapproachable. The aim is to intimidate the selling party. The good guy on the other hand has a more reasonable approach and shows a willingness to concede and come to a deal. The purpose of this tactic is to set the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Negotiation strategies to lower interest rates on your home loan

Do you really get the best interest rate from your bank? Have you thought about how you could negotiate your interest rate down? When interest rates go down the banks give you something to keep you happy, so you won’t ask for more.  But could you get more? Why not try. Review your interest rates and speak to your bank to get a better rate. Don’t let them shut you down with the excuse that they have already reduced the rates. The reality is that there is more room to move because if they can give away something without you asking then they can probably give you more. Do your research Research what the competitors are offering. Use comparison websites and then call the bank to make sure that you would get this rate. Find out what the rate for new customers is Banks often offer great promotions to lure in new clients which existing clients don’t get. This is something that I find annoying, why don’t they reward loyalty instead. Set yourself a target rate Set you...
1 comment
Read more