• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Negotiating tactics

T

theshadow2001

Jun 17, 2004
3,089
8
Ireland
#1
There's a second hand bass in a shop that I would like to buy. Its been there for about four years probably longer. I don't think its going to sell and I believe it will be there for another four years if i don't buy it. Its going for less than half the new price but I would like to see if I can get the price down more.

If it stays at it's current price I won't buy it. It's cheap already but more than I would like to spend

So can I have some negotiating tactics please?

Edit: I have spent about 3 and a half grand there on an amp and bass already over the past four or five years
 
#3
What's the absolute most you'd be willing to pay for it. Walk in with that much cash, put it on the counter and tell them that's what you'll give them for that bass. If they start to hem and haw, pick up your money and leave.
 
#5
MakiSupaStar said:
Low ball them and "settle" on what you want to pay. Be prepared to walk away and wait, and let them try to get a better offer on it. When you return they might counter to a number just lower than what you were prepared to pay. I love haggling.
Click to expand...

Me too! This is a great tactic.

Phalex said:
What's the absolute most you'd be willing to pay for it. Walk in with that much cash, put it on the counter and tell them that's what you'll give them for that bass. If they start to hem and haw, pick up your money and leave.
Click to expand...

The problem with that is he's got nowhere else to go after the initial offer is refused... and it will be refused.
 
#6
Another thing aside from the edit above. I'd have to ring them because the shop is about 2 hours away. Straight up cash is no problem. The bass is €884 the most I would spend would be €700 even at that I don't know if I would for that price €650 would be ideal
 
#10
SpectorBass308 said:
Oh nice! You should have some friends of yours call in and pretend to be interested in the bass but offer a much lower amount, say 500, then you call in and offer your 650, they might jump on it.
Click to expand...

Haha thats actually a technique that could be used. Making the seller re-assess what they actually have for sale and question themselves thinking "hmm, maybe this bass is actually only worth 500".

You and the seller both have a ZOPA (zone of possible aggreement). The Idea is that you want to get as far to the bottom end of theirs (ultimately giving you the lowest price). Work on having them reframe their BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement). As it sits, their only alternative if its been sitting there for so long is to just wait it out and hope another buyer comes along *that is-if you dont buy it*.

You can do this by stating how it would be a shame to have it take up rack space, how it can be decreasing in value sitting there, the fact that youve got cash and are not sure when the shop will have another serious buyer come by- especally bringing in the idea that it may not be a very sought after bass.

I think the fact that its been sitting there for so long can work to your advantage. Also the fact that you're a repeat customer can help too.

Go get em tiger!
 
#11
shawn-o said:
You can do this by stating how it would be a shame to have it take up rack space, how it can be decreasing in value sitting there, the fact that youve got cash and are not sure when the shop will have another serious buyer come by- especally bringing in the idea that it may not be a very sought after bass.

I think the fact that its been sitting there for so long can work to your advantage. Also the fact that you're a repeat customer can help too.

Go get em tiger!
Click to expand...

Well thats what i'm thinking. Go with there's not a lot of bassists, even fewer left handers, even fewer that want a fretless and that I refused it when I went to by my first real bass. I'd be happy to leave it for a year and call them back again with an even lower offer :)

Should I open with an offer or ask them how much they would let it go for (which would naturally be the asking price or maybe a little less) and then work from there?
Would suggesting that they could take a hit on it and use the money to invest in something that will sell for profit (cheapy guitars cables etc.) be a bit too cheeky and make them less likely to want to do business
 
#12
theshadow2001 said:
Well thats what i'm thinking. Go with there's not a lot of bassists, even fewer left handers, even fewer that want a fretless and that I refused it when I went to by my first real bass. I'd be happy to leave it for a year and call them back again with an even lower offer :)
Click to expand...

Good call.

Id say youve got a ton of ways that you can make them reframe and reassess what the bass is "really" worth to them. Remember- Always be polite about it aswell.

I guess this negotiation class i took at uni may actually pay off somewhere down the line :p
 
#13
I don't mind haggling a little, but I don't think it's worth my time to grind somebody down.

My preferred approach is to come in and make a fair offer that I'm prepared to pay. If they don't accept it, pull out one of my business cards, write my offer on it, hand it to them, ask them to give it to the manager and walk away. Chances are you'll get a phone call in a day or two. If they accept, cool. If not, then it wasn't going to happen anyway.
 
#14
Pilgrim said:
I don't mind haggling a little, but I don't think it's worth my time to grind somebody down.

My preferred approach is to come in and make a fair offer that I'm prepared to pay. if they don't accept it, pull out one of my business cards, write my offer on it, hand it to them, ask them to give it to the manager and walk away. Chances are you'll get a phone call in a day or two.
Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of it either tbh which is why I need advice on the subject. I'd prefer to do what you suggested but again I'm not going to drive 2 hours just to open a dialogue that may not result in getting a bass.
 
#15
theshadow2001 said:
]
Should I open with an offer or ask them how much they would let it go for (which would naturally be the asking price or maybe a little less) and then work from there?
Would suggesting that they could take a hit on it and use the money to invest in something that will sell for profit (cheapy guitars cables etc.) be a bit too cheeky and make them less likely to want to do business
Click to expand...

I would state that you're seriously interest in the bass and say that you're willing to pay 600 for it (when in your mind will settle at 650 lets say). They may come back with the statement that the least they can let it go for is 700. Thats when you can introduce the ideas that A) its been there for over 4 years B) There are few left handers, and even fewer playing fretlesses.

At this point they may go talk to their manager or whatever, but play it cool. If they come back with an offer of 675, you can bring in the fact that its taking up rack space or whatever.

Both sides should have to make concessions in order for it to be a "successful negotiation" right. So say you'd be willing to do 625.00 or something- final offer. You can state that you've been a loyal customer and have spent xxx amount in the last year ect.

If you end up settling at 640 or something, then Its all good and you get said bass.

Bringing in the "you can take the hit" will probaby not work in your advantage and more than likely be insulting to the other party.


***All dollar figures are made up. This is simply some of the stuff that ive learned through negotiation***

Edit- And Usually haggling when ive bought a bass gets me a cable or something.
 
#17
theshadow2001 said:
Do you think my goal of €234 off the selling price asking just too much, might I as well just be offering 3 bucks for it?

I intend on talking directly with the manager.
Click to expand...

Just converted that to CAD and thats like 375.00.

I think that may be alittle off the chart but if they're really trying to get it and havent had any offers lately- They may entertain it or atleast be willing to meet somewhere in the middle.
 
#18
#19
Pilgrim said:
I don't mind haggling a little, but I don't think it's worth my time to grind somebody down.

My preferred approach is to come in and make a fair offer that I'm prepared to pay. If they don't accept it, pull out one of my business cards, write my offer on it, hand it to them, ask them to give it to the manager and walk away. Chances are you'll get a phone call in a day or two. If they accept, cool. If not, then it wasn't going to happen anyway.
Click to expand...

+1 Leave cards.

-------------

Find out when the end of a sales goal/period is. For many companies, this will be the end of the calender month.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back