Comments on: “Amazing means unbelievable” http://www.ghidinelli.com/go/2007/04/12/amazing-means-unbelievable And scooters, donkeys, boats & more! Go! Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:36:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Brian http://www.ghidinelli.com/go/2007/04/12/amazing-means-unbelievable/comment-page-1#comment-13042 Brian Sat, 14 Apr 2007 12:53:39 +0000 http://www.ghidinelli.com/go/?p=145#comment-13042 I agree... the harder they try to sell the more leverage you have as the buyer but I think what they count on (and what others have explained to me) is that they buy something to simply get out of the situation. That's the point behind my reference to your willingness to confront... most people would rather cough up some money and run away with their tails between their legs than stand up for themselves and at a minimum just say no. It was particularly bad at the rickshaw-wallah shops which are out in the middle of nowhere and exist to do two things: ship internationally through arranged deals they have and force Westerners to pay too much. You walk into these shops and it's the same scene being played out on every couch... unhappy looking potential customers being accosted by salesmen. The primary element is patience though... just like with buying a car at the end of the month, you need to increase your leverage and the best way to do that is to lower the sales per hour quota for the guy you're talking to. But really, you have to lie, and extensively. :) I agree… the harder they try to sell the more leverage you have as the buyer but I think what they count on (and what others have explained to me) is that they buy something to simply get out of the situation. That’s the point behind my reference to your willingness to confront… most people would rather cough up some money and run away with their tails between their legs than stand up for themselves and at a minimum just say no.

It was particularly bad at the rickshaw-wallah shops which are out in the middle of nowhere and exist to do two things: ship internationally through arranged deals they have and force Westerners to pay too much. You walk into these shops and it’s the same scene being played out on every couch… unhappy looking potential customers being accosted by salesmen.

The primary element is patience though… just like with buying a car at the end of the month, you need to increase your leverage and the best way to do that is to lower the sales per hour quota for the guy you’re talking to. But really, you have to lie, and extensively. :)

]]> By: Roberto http://www.ghidinelli.com/go/2007/04/12/amazing-means-unbelievable/comment-page-1#comment-12910 Roberto Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:07:36 +0000 http://www.ghidinelli.com/go/?p=145#comment-12910 Your bargaining stories remind me of Indonesia -- outside of the lux and high end hotels/services/shops, nothing had a real price, including what seemed like legitimate tour/transport outfits. After a while we just adopted a "win-some, lose some" attitude, getting ripped off every once in a while, and watching others get ripped off (and feeling better about ourselves for paying less for the same thing) at others. We debated long and hard about when to lie. With a bit more finesse, a lot of the guys involved in the overcharging + commission games could do very well. A little more discipline and they could overcome their achilles heel (the desperate sales-pitches and overeager stares) and cash in less frequently but pulling in more each time. What happened to getting ripped-off in a professional and friendly manner? Your bargaining stories remind me of Indonesia — outside of the lux and high end hotels/services/shops, nothing had a real price, including what seemed like legitimate tour/transport outfits. After a while we just adopted a “win-some, lose some” attitude, getting ripped off every once in a while, and watching others get ripped off (and feeling better about ourselves for paying less for the same thing) at others. We debated long and hard about when to lie.

With a bit more finesse, a lot of the guys involved in the overcharging + commission games could do very well. A little more discipline and they could overcome their achilles heel (the desperate sales-pitches and overeager stares) and cash in less frequently but pulling in more each time. What happened to getting ripped-off in a professional and friendly manner?

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