Are You A Good Negotiator?

I admit, I think I'm pretty bad at it. I've bought cars where I find out later I could have gotten it for a lot less had I been stubborn/skilled enough as a negotiator. I just bought a car about a week ago and was determined I wasn't going to get pushed around. I went in with an ideal price and the salesman refused to go down from the original price more than about $100. I thought this was outrageous and unfair. I remembered how I'd kicked myself in the past whenever I gave in in situations like that so this time I stuck to my guns. I always heard that the key to negotiation is to be willing to walk away if the deal isn't suitable to you. So that's what I did. I've heard stories of auto salesmen calling customers back after a day but, just my luck, I never heard a peep from him after that. Did my determination put him off to the point he was determined not to give an inch more? I don't know. I just know that it never works out for me. I was able to get a little vindication as I found the exact same model car at another lot and purchased for less than the first guy was willing to negotiate down to.

It's the same with me where jobs are concerned. I want to negotiate for the best salary but always feel as if I will price myself out of the job if I ask for too much. Then, after I get the job, I wonder if I asked for too low and if everyone else is making more than me. Ughhh! I don't think I will ever be a master negotiator!

I am too nice and I often have gotten screwed over for it. I will take less money for a job too. I will let people walk all over me for fear of asserting myself. I am afraid of my own power.

I am getting to where I am less likely to be swindled by a slick sales pitch though so this is progress for me.

I also will stand up to people who piss me off- so this makes me happy. I really hate confrontation though. I mean hate it!

Used Car salesmen are the worst!!!

No, social phobia hijacks any strategy I have going into a deal.

I become so anxious that I pretty much give the other person whatever they want just to get out of there.

That's assuming I even show up. Like Molly, confrontation is brutal for me.

I dislike confrontation as well but for me that's not even the issue. It's trying to appear confident, as if I know what I'm doing. I think they always see right through me and act accordingly (not willing to negotiate because they feel I will give in). I almost think it becomes personal to them as if they refuse to give a guy like me the same deal they would otherwise give someone with real confidence.

When I confront people who I think are wrong and speak out, I suddenly become attention seeking. I don't want the attention of these people, I want to have a voice. I am alone in the world so if I don't speak up for myself no one else will.

Kiwong said:

When I confront people who I think are wrong and speak out, I suddenly become attention seeking. I don't want the attention of these people, I want to have a voice. I am alone in the world so if I don't speak up for myself no one else will.

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So true Kiwong. I feel the same way. I confront people out of necessity, not because I want the attention. I may not be good at it, even dread it but I have learned that not speaking up for myself usually leaves me with nothing.