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Jumat, 24 Juni 2011

How (NOT) to Negotiate Buying Imports

I love to bargain. Lots of years ago when I first travelled to France, I would haggle over everything - including food. I have been followed through the Roman Forum by a street peddler who finally decided they would accept my ridiculously low offer for some slides they was selling. I have gotten boat rides on the cheap in Hong Kong, blankets in Mexico & lots more. I felt proud of myself until I learned none of these people desired to do business with me again.

I do know importer who said this about bargaining: "I see it on a regular basis & it makes me cringe. People will stand toe to toe with a Thai merchant, badgering them to receive a lower cost. They will squabble for several minutes over a few baht, a few cents. Even in the event you win the battle of a few baht, you will lose the war in the event you are ever to do business with that person again. Next time, they will start at a higher cost, anticipating your negotiating skills, or lack thereof."

In most bargaining situations, you are usually better off having a cost point that you know is competitive. This is why it is always wise to do some preparation before a trip. The second thing is to shop around & gain an understanding of what cost the competition is offering for the same goods.

In the event you have nothing to compare a feasible product to, do a small math to choose a lovely cost. If the product will sell for $100 in the U.S., offer no over $20 to the seller. (Do you see now why it is a lovely suggestion to do some home-work in advance?)

This is a maximum. Lots of importers seek as much as a 1000 percent markup (ten times the cost). My experience is that these kinds of mark ups are hard to come by, but it can definitely be done. On occasion, you may do even better than the 1000 percent mark up. If you are selling through your own store or on the Web, you might get it. If you are selling on eBay, at a garage sale or swap meet, probably not. People there's looking for bargains.

 often they guys see dickering as a check of our manhood. As I have gotten older, I have gotten smarter. Most of my bargaining deals these days tend to be done as I am leaving the store & getting in to my automobile (I got a great deal on a van this way), or basically smiling, shaking my head & going away. About half the time, the merchant follows & they do business, even if I must back off my cost a bit.

Another lovely approach for importers is to basically pronounce that "If you finish up having the best cost, I will come back." My experience is that this is when you are likely to get their truly best cost.

I am ashamed to admit I have used this next trick in my youth, but not any longer. I think it is a small misleading & unfair - but you pick.

Ask the seller what his quantity discount would be for 100, one,000 or ten,000 pieces. When they gives you this volume discount, you say, "Okay, that is the cost I need. Wrap up for me."

On the other hand, I do know of an importer who buys everything at the asked-for cost with no haggling whatsoever. In the method, his business has gotten successful & his Thai suppliers routinely give him the best prices anyway. Go figure.

I have gained a small wisdom as I have gotten older & now think the best deal is in which both parties feel lovely about the transaction.

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