Go to any gym these days, and you’ll see it. Visit the weight-lifting section, and you’ll hear it Ask Mr. Olympia his secret, and he’ll say it. Curious? I’m referring to the saying: NO PAIN, NO GAIN. It is one of the most truthful, wise proverbs to grace the human mind. It can be applied to decision making, marriages, friendships, spiritual growth, bodybuilding, or any other worthwhile goal in life. It lets us in on a fundamental reality of life. That is, to improve, reach goals, and accomplish objectives, we must be willing to risk and sacrifice something. Consumers would do well to understand and apply this principle when purchasing goods and services. Most consumers lose hundreds annually and thousands over the years because they are afraid to risk questioning the price tag or won’t take time to do homework. Achieving substantial savings through negotiation is simple and, in most cases, relatively painless.
It Never Hurts to Question the Price
Tag The main reason why it pays to haggle a little is that merchants are almost always motivated to keep sales volume up and inventory down. To this end, they are usually prepared to offer discounts between 20 and 40 percent on most items. Most consumers don’t get a deal because they simply don’t open their mouths and ask, “Can you do any better on this price?”
Information Is Leverage
Whether you’re negotiating nuclear arms treaties or purchasing a luxury car, the more facts you know, the greater leverage you have, and the more likely you are to win out. Without solid information you are at the seller’s mercy.
The bottom line is this: do a little homework if you want big savings.
• Compare.
• Get recommendations from others.
• Find out when new shipments arrive.
• Discover the best time to negotiate—end of the month, a certain season, rainy days, etc. Remember, merchants will listen to a well- informed customer.
Never Be Afraid to Walk Away
No matter how much you want a certain item, sometimes it pays to say, “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to think it over.” Leave your name and number with the salesperson. You may be surprised at the result.
