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| Credit Answers > Debt-Management-Articles-2009 > Bargaining and Negotiating Might Help You |
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Bargaining and negotiating for goods and services isn't a new idea, but it has been gaining popularity among many creative consumers who are thinking outside the box to get a good deal. After all
every little bit helps when saving for a debt settlement negotation.
How do you bargain for deals? Say, for example, you are a public relations expert. You may be able to offer your services to a local community retailer in exchange for a discount.
A recent article by Reader's Digest revealed that requests for bartered goods and services on craigslist.com, a popular classified-advertising website, increased 125 percent in the past year. The
article reported that offers ranged from "litigation services for a reliable van" to simple trades such as "my BlackBerry for your digital camera."
If you feel you have a marketable skill that others could benefit from, MSNBC.com suggests that you could begin by bartering with local people. This may give you the opportunity to trade face-to-face in
a public place such as a restaurant or coffee shop. Consider bringing a friend along with you for safety reasons and also as a witness to the transaction. If you are bartering, dealing locally may spare
you the risk of shipping your item.
The Freecycle Network (freecycle.com) an online swap spot, may be able to direct you to local bartering organizations. In addition, barter exchanges
might be found through your local chamber of commerce or through the International Reciprocal Trade Association at Irta.com. The Internet offers a variety of bartering websites to consider including
U-Exchange.com, Meetup.com or craigslist.com which has a specific bartering section. You may also have some luck scoring a good deal if you prefer plain old negotiation.
Today's economy dictates a buyer's market according to the Associated Press, which adds that although it may be difficult to negotiate better prices on clothing or accessories, it might be possible with
appliances and electronics.
Before you negotiate, CNNMoney.com suggests researching prices on your particular item of interest. The more information you have before you bargain, the better your chances may be for getting a
good deal.
Also, negotiate nicely and consider a deal that would be advantageous to both buyer and seller. If a retailer is trying to get rid of a floor sample, would it be possible to get a discount? If you can
think of a way to bring them new business, could they lower the price? If you pay in cash, would that better your chances for a discount? Try to speak with a manager or senior level employee since they
are usually the key decision makers.
Of course, there is no guarantee that a retailer will negotiate with you or offer a discount. If you hear 'no' as an answer, CNNMoney.com suggests keeping your cool. Try to remember to be polite or you
may get the reputation of being a bad customer.
If you do decide to try bargaining or negotiating, you may want to consider some advice from MSNBC.com: Be careful when dealing with strangers and remember, if you are in business and decide to trade
your expertise for products or business services, those transactions should be reported to the Internal Revenue Service as income. For more information go to irs.gov.
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