Now that you are finished reading this report, it’s time to go back and reread the first section on negotiating again and start practicing. Use the tools provided to begin perfecting your bartering skills in every retail transaction where you have the opportunity. Train yourself how to become aware of the body language of those around you and be conscious of what your body language is saying to others.

Look at the list of barter items and consider what items you could put on your regularly schedule grocery list to increase your personal stockpile. Use your list to make a schedule of purchases so you don’t have to invest a large sum of money at any one time. Buying items slowly gives you the satisfaction of doing something productive on an ongoing basis rather than simply waiting and worrying while you save the money to do so.

Brief Summary of Important Bullets

Bartering has been with human civilizations from the very beginning and continues to be a major part of the retail environment. To help you excel, here is a little cheat sheet of tips for those moments when you don’t want to go back and read all of the information in depth.

Master Negotiations

Determine the value of your time and your items before beginning any negotiation then follow these ten steps:

1. Know what constitutes a successful trade before you begin.
2. Try to have your opponent start the session.
3. Know what you can offer to sweeten the deal with little additional cost to you.
4. Know what they have that may sweeten the deal with little additional cost to them.
5. Know as much about your opponent as possible.
6. Try to make a deal that leaves everyone a winner.
7. Minimize the concessions you make during any negotiation.
8. Splitting the difference should not be your default resolution strategy.
9. Choose a time and location that will be beneficial to you.
10. Keep your emotions in check and pay attention to the emotions of the person you are dealing with.

Bartering Tactics

These tactics will help you achieve the results you want.

1. Pay attention to your body language as well as to the person with which you are trading.
2. Make eye contact feel more sincere by remembering this is a person who is going to potentially help you. (Make sure you are aware of cultural stigmas that could make eye contact a No-No)
3. Smile sincerely when you meet the person and at opportunities throughout the bartering process.
4. Maintain a neutral rather than an aggressive stance.
5. Mirror the other person’s body language, verbal expressions, and overall tone.
6. Flinch at the first offer to let them know you want to negotiate.
7. Stare at any defects in the merchandise.
8. Watch the pupils of their eyes for indications of their emotional response to items.
9. Wear your work uniform if it is likely to illicit a positive reaction.
10. Be willing to walk away if the negotiation isn’t going your way.

Verbal Skills

The following verbal tricks can help improve your overall bartering skills.

1. Ask what the person is selling or offering.
2. Be aware of any potential forms of leverage you could use against them or they could use against you.
3. Be aware of any extenuating circumstance that may have negative consequences for the other party if they were unable to successfully negotiate a trade.
4. Tell the other party you must run the deal by a higher power be it a spouse or committee.
5. Offer to provide or except a different quantity of the merchandise if their fee is firm.
6. Don’t be afraid of silence. Use it to make your opponent uncomfortable.
7. Discuss the person using or enjoying the item in the future to help them connect to it on an emotional level.
8. Tell stories about the item to impart information to help the other person make an emotional connection.
9. Say aloud what they are likely thinking in order to form a personal connection with your bartering partner.
10. Be mindful of things you could ask to be included. If they are not included use it to negotiate a lower price.
11. Offer sincere compliments on the Items being bartered for and on the negotiation skills of your opponent.

Dirty Dealings

Be mindful of the tricks and lies people use.

1. People may tell complete lies about the quality or condition of an item, always ask for proof.
2. People may say they have the authority to negotiate a deal when they don’t in order to wear you down.
3. People may show you a high quality sample and then later deliver an inferior product; always make same quality upon delivery part of the agreement.
4. A physical environment which is uncomfortable.
5. Personal attacks on character, intellect, or appearance.
6. The good cop/bad cop routine.
7. Blatant or implied threats.
8. Additional fees tacked on to the agreement once a deal has been reached.
9. Using a real or implied future relationship to obtain a better bargain.