If U Don't Ask: It's like burning your money

By R.T. Burda

There is a hidden treasure in this book! This book is about negotiating for the everyday person. It doesn’t matter if you are shy or outgoing; the techniques and tools will help you get the best possible outcome. From this book, you will discover the inside secrets of how to save on insurance, mortgages, vehicles, event tickets, and anything you buy. Imagine harnessing the skills of a professional negotiator every time you make a purchase. This incredible book has changed the lives of anyone who reads it and puts the skills into practice. The only thing you will lose by not reading this book is a lot of money!!!

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.T. Burda
• Release date: Oct 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637904985

Book preview

Chapter 1

My Rules of Negotiations

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

Mark Twain

I’m going to start by setting the tone for you to ponder before reading further! Keep these thoughts in mind as you read the book!

Everyone knows that asking sometimes takes courage because we can’t control the answer. But we do control what, why, how, where, when, and who we ask.

Imagine what we could achieve if we were able to go through life asking questions without fear?

If you ask for something, what is worse that can happen? Worst case scenario, you don’t get the answer you were hoping for. However, if you are taking out asking, you take away any chance that the answer may favor you.

The more you ask, the easier it becomes. Like riding a bike!

It would be best always to be direct; don’t beat around the bush when you ask.

The following is a list of rules that have helped me throughout my career and personal life.

These are not hard and fast rules but a guide to help you through any negotiations. Rules are made to be broken, so if you can adapt and develop your own rules, you will have the self-confidence to succeed.

Remember this: Think outside the universe because the box is too small.

Rule number 1: If You don’t ask, you will never know if you could have gotten anything in life.

So many times, we never ask for a better price or what we want; either we don’t know what question to ask or have a fear of rejection. Too many times, we second guess ourselves after a purchase or a conversation. Should I have asked for something more? It is a simple phrase but can have a monumental outcome.

Rule number 2: Do not bring emotions into a transaction.

We often buy a car, house, or furniture, and we love the way it looks, feels, etc., and we are already telling the salesperson that we want it with our actions or words. Remember it is a business transaction; walk away if you feel you are not getting a great price.

Rule number 3: Don’t be rude or confrontational.

Don’t portray that you know everything. Your chances of being successful will go up if you’re gracious and polite. In most cases, you will learn more than the salesperson because you have done your homework and know the competitor’s pricing, warranty, etc. Play dumb and let them do the talking. I will discuss this in more detail in Chapter 2.

Rule number 4: Let them negotiate against themselves.

Never say can you give me x% off, if you do this and you might be thinking 10%, and they say I can give you 15% off, you left 5% on the table. I’ll go into more detail in further chapters. Let’s say it a different way. What is the best price you can offer? Because you asked the question, you might be surprised. You know where they stand in higher-priced items, and this is your starting point to go down.

Rule number 5: Do your homework.

There are countless times when someone will buy a significant item and have no idea what a great price is. Before going out to buy the item, check prices online and really prep yourself. If you do your homework, you will be sure to get an A+ on your purchase.

Rule number 6: Ask for extras.

Price is not the only thing we are going after. For instance, when buying a car and the price does not come down, ask for all-weather mats, roof rack, four oil changes, etc. this way, you get more even though the price is not lowered.

Rule number 7: Avoid deadlines.

Avoid negotiating when faced with a deadline, as deadlines can motivate you to make concessions on price. So, don’t wait until the last minute to start searching for a new car, a house, or any other negotiable item. If your car breaks down and you need another one right away, go out and rent a car for a week or two. This will give you time to negotiate a great deal and save the rental cost and more. A tight deadline can eliminate your opportunity to negotiate the lowest price, so give yourself plenty of time to shop around.

Rule number 8: Be Persistent and Patient.

Don’t let the first answer be the last. Many people are afraid or embarrassed to ask another time, ask for what you want in another way. For example, you ask the question, Do you give a discount? And the answer comes back no. You could say, What do you do for your preferred customers? or Is there a coupon available? Be persistent but don’t be rude or overbearing; as my grandmother always said, you get more flies with honey than you do vinegar. Meaning being sweet; you get what you want instead of being bitter.

Rule number 9: 80/20 Rule also known as the Pareto Law.

Named After Vilfredo Pareto, the Italian economist and sociologist who defined it. Pareto Law has been written about countless times because it is so accurate in business and everyday life. The Pareto principle can be summarized as follows: 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. So, you might be asking yourself, How does this pertain to me? 80% of all results are produced 20% of the time. Whether you are buying a car or furniture, the final price is agreed upon in the last 20% of the time. As per rule number 7, time and deadlines can be both a blessing and a curse. The 80/20 rule can also be used for better time management; it reminds people to pay attention to the 20 percent that really matters. This rule is also used in the overall negotiation. 80% of negotiation is preparation, and 20% is the actual negotiation with the other party. This is why I say preparation wins negotiations.

Rule number 10: Everything in life is negotiable except for death.

A friend asked me, What about taxes? Well, the truth is that people have back taxes many times. Some companies negotiate on your behalf to eliminate or reduce the amount you must pay. I’m not saying you don’t pay your taxes; I’m stating that they can be negotiated if you look at most things in life.

Rule number 11: "If it is important, you will make the time."

How many times in life when someone dies, and we attend their funeral. Still, you hear comments like I had not seen him for ten years We make the time to attend the funeral but had ten years to visit with them while they were alive; this tells me they just weren’t important when they were alive. No matter what you do, it is important to take the time, be it relationships, exercise, alone time, or negotiation. Keep this golden rule in mind every day.

Rule number 12: Place a bid that is an oddball number.

Use $21,850 instead of $22,000; the seller is more likely to take it more seriously. A round number sounds like every other bid out there. When you get more specific, the sellers will think you’ve given the offer careful thought.

Rule number 13: When you are negotiating, you are working for yourself.

If you buy furniture and spend 1 hour before and 2 hours in the store and save $600, you just paid yourself $200 an hour for your effort. Most people will never earn as much as they can save by negotiating effectively. The better you get at it, the more you will save. Think about this with every negotiation. You will be surprised how much you are worth an hour.

Rule number 14: Negotiate in small amounts instead of big ones.

You are negotiating to buy a house, and it is listed at $245,000. You know, after doing your homework, similar homes are selling for $230,000. You put a bit price of $229,500 (refer to rule 12), and the seller comes back with a counter of $240,000. Most people