Ahh, the joys of being a small business owner or vendor when everybody wants a "break" or a "special deal" on your product/service. Yes, at some point in our life we've all been "That" customer.
There is a fine line between negotiating a fair price for a product/service (like the 2010 Ducati 1198 S for $21,795 I'm trying to get a better deal on) and trying to gouge a vendor for the product/service they provide. Nowadays, especially in these trying economic times, vendors are afraid to stand by their price structure because of a singular misconception:
"If I refuse to negotiate my price, I'll lose all my customers."
I think this is completely backwards. When a reputable vendor stands behind their product or service 110% they garner my complete respect.. For me confidence is everything when it comes to selecting a vendor for just about anything I'm working on from logos, and web designs, to custom coding and more. The more confidence you exude in your product/service the higher the perceived value of your product/service will be in the eyes of your potential customers.
Sure, there are obviously times when negotiating a fair price with your customers is necessary, but only if it's beneficial to you. After all, the only reason you're even in business is to make money.
So stand your ground vendors! Be confident and assertive because no customer will ever feel slighted by a price that is reasonable and relative to the perceived value of the product/service.
Now please enjoy the below video for a humorous parody of 'The Vendor Client Relationship'.
-- Weather When Posted --
- Temperature: 76°F;
- Humidity: 71%;
- Heat Index: 77°F;
- Wind Chill: 76°F;
- Pressure: 30.03 in.;
