2008-10-22, 08:21 AM
I can sympathise with your situation. I myself am not very pushy when it comes to haggling or negotiating, I usually do what the other person wants to make things quick and easy for everyone, but there is a few things I have observed even if I do not practice them myself.
Confidence is everything. You need to go in from the very start thinking that you will acheive your goal. You know what you want, you deserve it, and you will get it. I know that may sound pompous but that is the state of mind that is needed. When haggling, if you show a sign of weakness or relent, your opponent will see it as an oppertunity for them to take advantage.
Like someone previously said, playing poker may help you, because a lot of the time haggling involves bluffing. Have you ever went into FM in MS to sell something and had a merchant say something like "Oh I bought that much cheaper from someone this morning."? You don't know for sure whether they did or not, but mentally you are thinking "Maybe I should drop my price a little." Psyching yourself up is key to winning those kinds of mind games.
Though personally I try to avoid it all. I don't particularly like how ruthless and manipulative people become where money is involved. >.<
Confidence is everything. You need to go in from the very start thinking that you will acheive your goal. You know what you want, you deserve it, and you will get it. I know that may sound pompous but that is the state of mind that is needed. When haggling, if you show a sign of weakness or relent, your opponent will see it as an oppertunity for them to take advantage.
Like someone previously said, playing poker may help you, because a lot of the time haggling involves bluffing. Have you ever went into FM in MS to sell something and had a merchant say something like "Oh I bought that much cheaper from someone this morning."? You don't know for sure whether they did or not, but mentally you are thinking "Maybe I should drop my price a little." Psyching yourself up is key to winning those kinds of mind games.
Though personally I try to avoid it all. I don't particularly like how ruthless and manipulative people become where money is involved. >.<