Negotiations: The Art, Science, & Sport of Online Deals

Negotiations can seem as complex as physics, and in fact, people go to college to study the science of negotiating just as they would the laws of nature. At the same time, negotiation is like an ancient art form, some sort of Zen mental jujitsu. When neither the Zen nor the science works, though, no one wins.

Just ask any hockey fan out there. The recent lockout and cancellation of the 2004-2005 NHL season is a perfect example of poor negotiating. Both the players’ union and the league owners broke all of the rules when it came to brokering an agreement on player contracts. The result are hockey rinks across North America that are so quiet that you can hear a pin drop–unfortunately, not a puck. In dollar terms, professional hockey is missing out on television contracts, advertising fees, and tons of ticket sales.

Of course, you won’t lose billions in revenue if you fail at the latest negotiation at your favorite online classified or auction site. But you could let a treasure slip through your fingers. Success in deal making, on the other hand, could land you that rookie Bobby Orr card, signed Stanley Cup puck, or whatever other fantastic item you’re bidding on.

Plus, proper negotiations and compromise can ensure that you get the item for its fair value, including a good price on shipping and taxes. This increases the profitability of the trade for both you and the seller. The deal gets closed without nasty disputes, blow-ups, or hip checks. And both of you are left to do business again in the future.

To score all of these benefits, and avoid your own mini lockout, follow these simple tips on negotiating that will net results at online classified sites. As you’ll see, victory isn’t so much an exact science or a mystic sixth sense. It’s more about simple know-how and common sense.

Warm up. Don’t jump into a negotiation cold. Before you even face off with your opponent, figure out for yourself what would count as a victory. What do you exactly want out of the trade–and at what price?

Consider a truce. It may not even be worth dropping the puck at all. In other words, negotiations, like hockey games, can end in a loss for the home team, you. So weigh this risk before you start. If the item at hand is a dream buy, you may not want to endanger your purchase with a drawn-out negotiation.

Know when to pass. On the other hand, if the item is far from dreamy–and you’re pretty sure something better may come along later–you could pass on negotiations. Or go for the score. Offer a lowball price. If you win, you won’t be out too much, and if you lose, it won’t leave a mark either. But be certain if you play this game. You could miss this opportunity without a guarantee of future prospects.

Know your enemy. Coaches and players spend hours before games watching films of their impending competition to study their tendencies. You need to take the same approach when it comes to making a deal. Try to read your opponent’s mind. What is his or her goals in the negotiation? Does he or she have any strengths that they can use against you? Are there any weaknesses that you can use against them?

Spot all of your passing lanes. During your research, you may find that this particular vendor isn’t the only one in the game with what you’re looking for. Using these other vendors, and their prices, to your advantage can help you skate circles around your competitor.

Practice before you play. Also, research the item before you make a play on it. This knowledge, such as the going price and quality markers, can work as leverage during the negotiating, too.

Translate thought into action. Your strategy can become more complicated and unpredictable–and effective–once you’re in the heat of battle. Just remember to think on your feet and remember all that you learned in your “training.” For instance, if you know that the vendor has other items for sale besides your target, agree easily to one of these other purchases. Go for the easy one first. That will lure them into trusting you and giving you an easy pass on future, and more important, deals.

When it comes down to it, negotiation is all about this kind of give and take. It works out best when both parties get what they want out of the deal, without feeling ripped off as if they gave too much for too little.

That brings you to the one “don’t” of negotiating. Don’t fear a standoff. They are part of the art and science of trading, so don’t be tempted to cave in just to break the deadlock. Instead, let your opponent make the first move. They will. They want to close the deal, too, don’t forget. You both will be better off for this in the long run. And you won’t end up like the NHL, the No Hockey League.

Have You Tried Credit Card Debt Negotiation? A Do-It-Yourself Credit Card Debt Solution

Credit card debt negotiation can be a very tough task. If not done carefully it will clearly not lead to the desired result. To pay off a huge debt is a hard job to accomplish, and who would not want a negotiation on the debt that has to be paid? But there are a few rules which one must keep in mind while doing the credit card debt negotiation.

There could always be chances that one might get their interests negotiated unlike what many people think. Always remember that some people have the ball in their court and not the company. They want money back from you at any cost and that is their primary motive which is also their weak point that one must target. Another factor that could help you, the customer, is that there is a lot of competition in market. Some companies want you at any cost as the money they make from the interest that you pay is tremendous. The company wants to make as much money as possible and would want as many customers as possible. They would have to maintain a good reputation in the market and this is how the competitiveness can work in the favour for your credit card debt negotiation.

If one has being paying off credit card debts for some installments, there could be chance for the credit card debt negotiation, the bank might give you lower interest rates. These can range from 1-2% less than the average interest rate of the country. Also one can negotiate for better repayment plans than the existing ones. Obviously the bank would prefer that their money comes back to them slowly rather than money not coming back at all. However, this credit card debt negotiation works only if one has not been paying the previous installments. If one is good at negotiation then one could get rid of the late payment fee, using ATM fee etc. But there are of course a few companies which will not budge on the ground rules they have. One should always keep their eyes open for various offers like zero interest rates, lowering of interest rates on existing loans or on balance transfers. Never get onto these offers directly as they can be used as a weapon at a later stage. Always first ask for lower interest rate and then slowly jump onto these plans. This could definitely be one of the ways to get out of credit card debts.

If none of the above works then one can lure the bank that you can take another card and get your balance transferred to another card with a lower interest. The best way to get away with this one is to keep an alternate card offer with you. If one does not have any, then you could research on them and then go for the negotiation. Credit card debt negotiation is a very tricky work. But keeping in mind some of the tips mentioned you can definitely pay off credit card debt more easily and quickly.

Focusing on the Present

One of the largest hurdles for meditation for beginners is learning to focus on the here and now. To learn what it means to find the space to see the now, to see what it means to live in the moment. Most of us are entirely unable to to do this. We have a panel of judges who condemn us for past failures that only remotely resemble our current circumstances. Every time we listen to those inner critics we relive the past.

When beginning to learn meditation, the learner may suddenly believe that they cannot meditate because when they were a child they could not sit still and listen in school. This thought can continue to comparing themselves to that one kid who they believed was better than him, distracting themselves entirely from what they originally sought to do. The key to overcoming these critics is to let go of them. Realize that these critics bind us to a single opinion and outlook on life. Realize that we cannot truly see what is real because we put everything through a filter.

Believe that you can let them go and then take action. The next time these critics make their voices heard. It can be during meditation or as we live our lives, take account of them and ask, “Is this what is?” Often times we project ourselves, our insecurities, our arrogance onto others and situations and after a few moments consideration can see that as well. Then accept the present, notice all of it details without listening to the judgment.

As we strive to live fully in the present we become mindful. We become more at peace with what preconceive, with what is, and what we believe will happen. Once we can embrace the now, we can focus and concentrate with what we meditate on.