Negotiations can seem as complex as physics, and in fact, people go to college to study science of negotiating just as they would laws of nature. At same time, negotiation is like an ancient art form, some sort of Zen mental jujitsu. When neither Zen nor science works, though, no one wins.Just ask any hockey fan out there. The recent lockout and cancellation of 2004-2005 NHL season is a perfect example of poor negotiating. Both players’ union and league owners broke all of rules when it came to brokering an agreement on player contracts. The result are hockey rinks across North America that are so quiet that you can hear a pin drop—unfortunately, not a puck. In dollar terms, professional hockey is missing out on television contracts, advertising fees, and tons of ticket sales.
Of course, you won’t lose billions in revenue if you fail at latest negotiation at your favorite online classified or auction site. But you could let a treasure slip through your fingers. Success in deal making, on other hand, could land you that rookie Bobby Orr card, signed Stanley Cup puck, or whatever other fantastic item you’re bidding on.
Plus, proper negotiations and compromise can ensure that you get item for its fair value, including a good price on shipping and taxes. This increases profitability of trade for both you and seller. The deal gets closed without nasty disputes, blow-ups, or hip checks. And both of you are left to do business again in future.
To score all of these benefits, and avoid your own mini lockout, follow these simple tips on negotiating that will net results at online classified sites. As you’ll see, victory isn’t so much an exact science or a mystic sixth sense. It’s more about simple know-how and common sense.
Warm up. Don’t jump into a negotiation cold. Before you even face off with your opponent, figure out for yourself what would count as a victory. What do you exactly want out of trade—and at what price?
Consider a truce. It may not even be worth dropping puck at all. In other words, negotiations, like hockey games, can end in a loss for home team, you. So weigh this risk before you start. If item at hand is a dream buy, you may not want to endanger your purchase with a drawn-out negotiation.
Know when to pass. On other hand, if item is far from dreamy—and you’re pretty sure something better may come along later—you could pass on negotiations. Or go for score. Offer a lowball price. If you win, you won’t be out too much, and if you lose, it won’t leave a mark either. But be certain if you play this game. You could miss this opportunity without a guarantee of future prospects.