here's an example of one of my past transactions from luthermusic classifieds (the problem with anonymous buyers) :
long long time ago...
a CHINESE guy said "amp for $160 ok , ok" , come down to my place (like I said deal at my place or I deliver, he wanted to "meet up somewhere" i told him I only meet up with chiobus.)
he tested, I tested , highly assured stable. he suddenly lowballed "$80"
"nope,you can go home now"
"ok ok $100?"
"we already agreed on $160."
"but I came down all the way from tuas to katong, cheaper la"
"I drive, I provided +$10 with delivery, but you decided to save the $10 and come down all the way yourself."
"what if the amp breaks down by the time I bring back?"
"then you gotta be careful of how you brought it back, amps are not shock proof or waterproof."
"what if I careful and I play only after a while break down?"
"you wanna play and test it now sommore? it's a sunday I got time."
"then break down after I bring it back leh?"
"tell you what, I got a videocam,tripod and a computer capable of firewire capture. I'll leave the amp on now until for another 3 days nonstop for surveillance and I'll see you in 3 days and I can assure you it will still be running. but I'll want $60 deposit."
"like that no point what! I gotta travel back to here (katong) from tuas again"
"ya lor I agree. if it costs you $10 to come here today, and back another $10, then 3 days later another $10+$10. then plus $160. then plus all the time you wasted, that's almost paying $200 for this amp. i'm not wasting time. i'm at home. i'm fine one. tell you what either you go with $160+$10x4 and I "video-cam" test it for you, or you take this for $160 now and don't negotiate any further as i got other buyers wanting to reserve but I don't do reserve, OR you leave now and you waste $20 + a couple of hours of your time. you do the calculation."
the deal was done, but before he left he said "you're really hard to bargain a deal with" , I replied : "yeap, i go simlim square all the time and I see your lines being used by other lousy bargainers , doesn't work".
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that aside, I'll be damn right to tell everyone of you guys that whether you're a buyer or seller, you'll give/get the best from the buyer/seller if you show sincerity in your deal. one of my lines always work when I negotiate for lets say.. from a shop, and I always ask "is it possible to make it cheaper? no need damn cheap or what , you all also need to earn." usually they'll tell you "err no cannot very cheap already" interrupt them : "oh then it's ok no problem. no obligation. just asking only =)" , the ones who are more soft hearted at this point will usually say "ok hang on ah, I see what I can do.. (starts calculating)" , or some who are more subtle will just key in and charge you the wrong but cheaper price , I kena before I was like "har? I thought it's *more*" , "I give you discount mah! dowan is it?" remember to be grateful.
sometimes it's not just the price tag discounts but the after-sales service, they tend to remember you. and that can cover your butt in alot of things whether is it further discounts for other stuff or if you are "WTB" any item or "WTS" anything they'll casually help ask around.
you don't have to be best friends to meet up everyday for this kind of thing, you don't have to be a two headed snake to advance in life (sincere ppl know how to detect snakes) , it's about the whole "positive buy/sell salesmanship" to make it a better experience.
just follow the necessary pointers to avoid crap experience like "no reserve/no ridiculous lowballing"
80¢ worth
