Since this is a personal finance blog, I’m going to guess that one of the reasons that you are reading is because you want to put more money in your pocket.
Whether that means that you are trying to cut your expenses or because you want to increase your income, being a better negotiator will help you keep more money in your pocket.
Here are my tips to become a better negotiator:
Be nice to whomever you are dealing with.
Many people think that the meaner that they are, the better “deal” that they will get. However, I don’t understand why people think this way. If you are trying to negotiate, then you should be nice. I think it’s crazy that I even have to say that. Whomever you are dealing with, you have to keep in mind that they need to make some sort of profit as well.
I have seen people threaten another person’s life over just a few dollars, and that goes to show that some people will go to far.
Be nice to the person, it will probably get you farther. Wouldn’t you rather want to help someone who is being nice to you?
Be realistic.
If you are negotiating for a better salary, then you definitely need to be realistic. If you are applying for a cashier job and are asking for a $200,000 salary, then you will probably be laughed at and asked to leave. The same goes for if you are trying to buy a $20,000 car and are trying to get it for $2,000 – you probably won’t get your way. Sure, there are good deals out there, but for the most part, you need to be realistic with what you are asking for.
This leads to my next point…
Do research.
Before you go into a situation that will require negotiating, you should do research. If you are buying a car, there are many websites out there that will tell you what the usual discount is. If you are looking to save money, then you should know about the product that you are about to buy.
If you are looking for a higher salary, then you should know what the average salary is, what the average person at the company makes, what tasks will be required from you, and so on.
See if you can be flexible.
If you want a cheaper price, then you may need to be more flexible. You may need to get a different kind of product that is similar. You may need your services performed on a different day in order to get a cheaper price. The list goes on and on. If you are more flexible with what you want, then negotiation may be a little bit easier.
Have time.
If you need something ASAP, then it may be harder to get a better deal. Usually, if you have more time, then the easier it is to get a better deal. Time should be on your side, not theirs!
What tips do you have for better negotiation?
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