Most people think of negotiating as something that happens only when major transactions are taking place (buying a car, a new house, forming a business partnership, etc).  That’s a shame, because those situations are rare, and because the other side of the table has more experience, you’re at a significant disadvantage (which could cost you lots of money).

It doesn’t have to be that way though.  Negotiation in a skill, and with more practice you become better.  Why not negotiate everyday things?  The extra practice could be worth a ton.

Try to see the world through this new lens.  The rules are simple (and important):

• must be friendly
• must be ethical
• must obey the law
• …anything goes

The goal is simple:

• gain something if the negotiation succeeds, lose nothing if it doesn’t

Just practicing, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is a benefit even if you don’t succeed.  Plus it can be fun to challenge friends to negotiate for things.

Here’s a couple of recent examples:

1)  Driving out of the REI parking lot and really don’t feel like paying the $6 parking fee, so I challenge my friend to negotiate for free parking.  Upside: $6 parking.  Downside:  none!   Winning strategy:  asked for the discount and found a way to relate to the parking attendant on a personal level (my friend and the attendant are both immigrants, so he says “hey you’re an immigrant too, right?  cut me a break”)

2)  In a 7-11 and want a slurpee, but think sugar + ice is a rip off at the price.   Upside: save money.  Downside:  none.  Winning strategy:  my dog was with me and seemed curious about the counter attendant, so I said “I think my dog likes you” before simply asking for a discount.  Result: 50% off slurpee plus a free hot dog for my dog.

3)  DSL service.  Upside:  save money.  Downside:  none.  Winning strategy:  called up my DSL provider and said “Hi, I was just calling because with the economy and everything…um, can I get a discount on my service?  Or else I might switch to another provider”  Without any hesitation, the person on the other line took $5 / month off my bill.   Less than on minute of my time for a $5 / month annuity is a fantastic ROI!

4)  Bought a bike and negotiated the price to come in below the lowest online price I could find, plus had them throw in another $70 worth of gear free to “close” my sale (tire kit, seat bag, water bottle mounts, water bottles).  Arguments used:   I’m advertising to my friends since the water bottles are branded with the store’s name and throwing in the tire kit and bike seat would “close me right now.”

Honestly, I wish I would push myself more to look for everyday negotiation opportunities.