Haggling

[stoner3221]

Don’t haggle, Stand firm on your price if your product is worth it. I get people wanting to buy one of my directories frequently. If they can’t meat my price they can go bug somebody else. You know very well what your product is worth.

[Ozzy]

Yes that is the perspective from the sellers point of view When selling I do tend to stick to my prices depending on what it is I'm selling.

[bizal]

Stoner

I lobe your idea and wish I was rich enough to do it. lets take a daft example and the person asks for 1 pence off. Would you realy turn the business away?

PS I was going to use your service but wanted a 10% discount and in return I was going to give you a brand new x type jag and a a good reference. Sorry to hear you are not interested!

[vpssupport]

I think haggling is an interesting aspect to business. Business is meant to be fun, and going through a haggling process pleases both the seller and the buyer. Although, it does depend on the situation, I wouldnt want to haggle over the cost of a train ticket as it was about to leave the station platform.

[despy]

I have to admit as a buyer that I do haggle. Today I've managed to get 10% off quite a large print order and it was simply a case of asking. The money saved will cover the cost of posting the printing out to prospective clients. Last week I got an upgraded web server at a lower price again just through asking.

Working previously with an American boss I've seen lots more forceful attempts at haggling and though they were suprisingly effective they weren't always received too well in Britain.

I'm not out to bankrupt anyone but I know that in most cases there is a gap between the price something is offered at and the price that a supplier would be willing to accept. If a supplier can still make an honest profit at a lower price then I'm happy to haggle.

[Jimbo]

From a salesman's perspective : smart customers always price condition me before I do it to them. A good example would be an NHS Trust which invited me in for an initial discussion. The client made it clear what her budget was very early on, so that I would go back to the office with a message of "I think we can sell there, but their budget is firm at £25k". Result? They ended up with a bargain (it was software, so discounting is no problem). Incidentally, I was happy with this approach - good profitable business and closed quite quickly. The company was happy too. On many other occasions when clients try this, their budget is unrealistic and I qualify them out - choose not to proceed. This is normal sales practice because my time is expensive and needs to be focused where it can generate margin.

When I'm more in the driving seat (!), I always ensure I know my backstop price - agreed with my boss - before getting near a negotiation. If you are your own boss, then have that conversation anyway in your head. Knowing your backstop price enables you to start a little higher and have a mature, unruffled conversation with the prospect.

It's only business, not personal, so relax and let your prospect relax as well. I never sell anything when I am trying to sell, but I sell loads when I'm just tuning in to people, trying to understand what they need and see if I can help them.

[bizal]

Jimbo

You sound like you can sell, a rare skill, where are you from? and what are you selling?

[Jimbo]

Hi Bizal,

I'm based in the North West of England. I sell big ticket software and services to the public sector.

[bizal]

would like to know more! please call

[LisaVilask]

Hey I must say - very well done. really
Lisa