Negotiating for the Non-Negotiator
There is a certain skill associated with negotiating. I know a lot of people enjoy the thrill of bartering, the back and forth banter involved in sealing the deal, the whole dance.
Craig, for instance, has a patented approach to buying a car. He puts on his game face and brings his A game.
I usually just do what I am told. If I ask a price on something, I, typically, just accept the price and either buy the item or move on.
Today, though, I went a little of script.
I had to call the oil company to “lock in” my ceiling rate… Currently I pay no more than a $3.99 a gallon but my term was running out. I was putting it off because, hey, who likes calling the oil company? Not this girl.
Anyway, walking thru the mail yesterday I saw a competitor’s sign offering new customers a rate of $3.69/ gallon.
Bitterness poured over me… A loyal customer surely deserved that price! So, today I called my oil company with a little more attitude…
The representative had a very nice voice…. It almost threw me off my game… So, be wary of a nice voice.
I was told the average rate on Long Island (without an agreement) was $4.54 a gallon but since I was such a good customer I was given a rate of $4.24…
A far cry from the siren’s call of $3.69 at the mall…
So, I politely said I would call back tomorrow after discussing the value with my husband and investigating the price from the mall.
Just call me Miss Passive Aggressive.
Well, apparently that is all I needed to say. The nice man on the phone spoke to his supervisor and lowered the price to $4.09. Not the best price in the world, but much better than the first price…
So, what is the point of this meandering story?
Sometimes it pays to be a little hard to get…
Solid advice that can be used across the board.
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Good for you! I’m not a negotiator either.
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It was exciting to say the least….
Kudos, Di! Glad you were able to get your cost down. I have a difficult time negotiating, too. I always think I’m rough and tough when I make a call to whatever company to do so, but then I lose my courage! So, my husband takes over, :/ I definitely need to learn a thing or two from him
Luck you that your husband will call!!!! Mine, not so much!!!