Take Control Of The Sales Process

Today’s topic is on negotiating your way to huge savings. Now, when I say the word negotiating, many people get a negative image of themselves begging a vendor or retail store to give them a break, because they don’t have enough money in their pocket or bank account to pay the full price. NOT TRUE! You must realize that most retail stores, auto dealers, furniture stores, and service providers (such as lawn care, carpet cleaning, roofers and hundreds of other business people and businesses), EXPECT you to negotiate with them! YOU can take control of the sales process by being brave, having fun and following these 5 simple negotiating steps: 1) Jump on the bandwagon: Everyone negotiates their price! Believe it and remember it! (Even doctors, dentists and surgeons will bring their retail price down.) Every time you spend a dollar, follow step #2… 2) Ask for a cash discount: “Mr. Seller, I’m interested in your (Product/Service), but I want to get the best value for my money. What is the best price you can offer me TODAY, if I pay cash?” Now, whether you end up paying cash or not really doesn’t matter at this time. You’re simply trying to find out what their FIRST lower priced offer is. It will NOT be their final offer by the way, it’s just the first round of negotiated offers. As a side note, if you do end up financing your purchase, the seller is always HAPPY to accommodate you, because they make even MORE money when you finance your purchase. 3) Never settle for their first discounted price: Never appear happy or satisfied with their first reduced purchase price. Always look a little disappointed and say, “Really?, that’s only $____ off of the list price, I may have to shop around some more…” 4) Let silence do your talking: Remember, when you were young and your mother said, “Silence is golden”? Now is the time to be quiet and let your words sink into the salesman’s mind. Eventually, they will say something like, “What did you have in mind?” Or, “How much lower would I have to go to earn your business today?” 5) Throw them a hard ball: The ball is back in your court again, so throw them a hard ball. Say something like, “You’ve been very helpful today and I’d like to do business with you, but unless I can purchase this item for 20% to 40% off the retail price, then I’m going to have to go to one of your competitors and see what they can offer me!” I guarantee you that the salesperson, manager or owner of the business will try to earn your business THAT very day, by giving you a counter-offer somewhere between your offer and their previous one. By being bold and standing firm, you will soon be the proud owner of the item you wanted, along with some extra cash in your pocket or checking account, rather than theirs!