Philosophic Travels - Thailand, Australia & South Africa
Sunday, November 02, 2003
The Art of Negotiation. We have probably negotiated 30-40 times for various articles over the last week. The amount of xmas shopping we have done has, to say the least, been excessive but all this negotiation has taught us a few tricks and saved a few dollars. So if you are interested in our 'Semi-Ruthless' tactics read further.
Most Thai's like to negotiate. It gives both parties the opportunity to walk away from a deal feeling that they got their own 'Deal of a Century'. It certainly has been the feeling we had many times (Regardless if it truly was or not).
It is refreshing for the first day to negotiate, but this becomes very tiresome after the first half dozen trades. Imagine trying to fill your grocery shopping cart by engaging in a negotiation for each item; Ad nauseam.
Relentlessly, we attacked every negotiation and found a neat little system that seemed to work with the methods the Thai's employ. On many occasions, Lisa was able to negotiate a 600% reduction in the price. Even Mr. Conservative (I) was shocked.
I don't believe it is the bottom price that really counts, but the process to get to that price. Both Lisa and I have enjoyed our journey to our 'Deals of the Century'.
The system was semi-ruthless but simple. Open negotiations, allowing the seller to provide the opening bid. Sincerely, offer the most ridiculous bottom price, but not so low that it is offensive. For example, the asking price is B1,300, offer B200. Provided the return bid was sincere, the reply is always "Oh no, I loose money..". This offers the buyer the best starting position. Then the process of exchanging bids between the parties (here this process is done with a calculator) takes place until the buyer feels that the actual value of the item has been met. If we felt the B1,300 item was only worth B300 we would stick to the price, then after an exchange of offers walk away. Most of the time the offer would be met as we turn to leave.
We leave feeling that we have purchased an item at a fantastic price and the seller knowing the cost of the item, has made the choice to either accept or ignore our tender. The remarkable part of the process we found was the mark-up on items. Continuously, Lisa and I were able to negotiate lower and lower prices, giving to the incredibly low manufacturing costs here in this country.
Road Rage. North American culture, or even an element of the developed world, is the known phenomenon of 'Road Rage'. We probably have all been part of it, seen it, or experienced it.
Lisa and I have found that in the total of 8 days that we have been here in Bangkok, we have seen three accidents. A high percentage, but considering the driving style here, that's pretty good. The traffic here is a bubbling madness of zipping tuk-tuks, weaving motorcycles, lurching taxis' and paranoid luxury car owners all rushing to a stand still. So considering the epidemic madness that could ensue with all the vehicular interaction, it is a wonder there aren't continous reports of road rage. But in this place, there seems to be a very civil approach to these altercations. When they can, they laugh, shrug it off if possible and generally continue with everyday life. Very remarkable. Although, our observations are very limited in this regard, the general attitude towards accidents is outstanding. Maybe this is a lesson we can learn back home?
