monsterpile wrote:AbeVigodaLive wrote:Big O wrote:My office used to be across the street and I would go to many games week nights with scalped tickets. Even in 2004 you could get seats well below face value if you waited until 5 -10 minutes after tip off. The scalpers would bid against each other for you business. The point was I had to be willing to walk away if the price wasn't cheap enough. They didn't want to go home with worthless paper in their pocket. $0.25 on the dollar wasn't unheard of for vip seats.
I can see this from scalpers. It makes sense.
What I've learned over the years, however, is that you can't have your wife or kids anywhere close during negotiations. They ruin everything. Whether I'm trying to negotiate for a Messi jersey in a Mexican flea market, buying a car or purchasing a home...
... with them around... walking away isn't really an option.
[Note: Learned that too late.]
A few years ago while car shopping I learned my wife can be a ruthless negotiator. She was more than willing to walk away and offer ridiculously low prices. I think she got enjoyment out of talking the sales guys down.
Like you mention I'd say there have been times she probably influenced me to not get the rock bottom price too so it's worked both ways. Depending on the situation I'm not quite as bad off financially now I don't mind paying a little more than the bottom dollar.
We joke that the gal pal is the only person who pays above asking price at Mexican markets...