Bentley Automobile and Blender

There were two negotiations tonight.

#1: The Blender

This negotiation consisted of a sales return clerk and a customer negotiating over the return of a blender. I was the customer. From what I knew, I had purchased a blender from a large department store ... only to find out it was a piece of crap. Now, I only paid $34 dollars for it and it looked nice, but it did not work (or perform) to the level of my expectations. I had thrown away the box, but still had the receipt. Therefore, I would go to the department store to see if I could return the faulty item. Problem is (not knowingly to me), the department store has a return policy - in which I lack two things - a box and a receipt brought back within the valid return time period. We negotiated, and I became a bit irritated as a customer ... but did not show it. The sales clerk never lost her cool, but was firm with the store policy. At one point, we were able to come to an "agreement" in which I would return my blender for a new one, and the store would place my broken one on display. However, I then became greedy and requested a refund. At that time, the store clerk looked at my receipt and realized that it had past the valid return date. We negotiated some more and ended up at this final option: I would keep my blender for the time being and the return clerk would write an endorsed letter to the manufacturer - in attempt to get approval to replace mine with a new one. I, as the customer, accepted this solution - as I was in the wrong on two counts (not having a box or a valid receipt). In this negotiaion, I don't believe I could have been more agressive. First, I was in the wrong on two counts according to store policy. Second, I would be damaging my own reputation (being that of an unreliable, unfair, crazy customer) and would be seen that way in any future circumstances dealing with the store. THAT was not worth the small monetary amount.

#2: The Bently Automobile

This particular negotiation consisted of a sales agent (attempting to sell a 1927 Bently convertable for Mr. Soles, who lives in England) and an agent (attempting to purchase the automobile for Mrs. Austin, who lives in Texas but visits England frequently). Talks after the negotiation had happened showed that the sales agent attempting to sell the Bentley was looking to sell the car for 20,000 pounds or higher (earning a 20% interest on any amount over 20,000 + gaining a good sales reputation). The other agent was looking to buy at 10,000 pounds, but could not go higher than 24,000 pounds. I happened to be the agent looking to sell the car. I began negotiations by mentioning that the owner was looking to get 33,000 pounds, but was more than willing to negotiate the price. I listed off facts about the car, and then asked Mrs. Austin's agent what she would be willing to offer based on this information. She offered 19,000 pounds and mentioned that she could not go any higher. Knowing that I could not go any lower than 20,000, I offered 23,000 and a variety of "goodies". Finally, we settled on 21,000. I agreed to this amount, even though it would only give me $200 for my work. I decided that the good reputation to follow would make up for the measley salary. However, I still felt that I could have been more stubborn in this negotiation, considering that Mr. Soles had a willing buyer at 20,000. BUT, I also didn't want to risk a faulty sales reputation with Mr. Soles. It was a catch 22. Specifically, I would have mentioned that Mr. Soles had a previous offer of 26,000 pounds, but I forgot. That would have really helped me out. I needed to be "quicker on my feet" in that instance.