Quoted insane prices part deux

[MossRoad]

So you want to purposefully close another thread? Don't be such a troll.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Delete

 

[radios1]

Yeah, you are such an example of good behavior. Why do you troll a thread before you close it?

Moderators don't need comments like that!. I'm surprised your still here!

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Moderators don't need comments like that!. I'm surprised your still here!

Delete

 

[Industrial Toys]

Kind of getting off topic, but maybe all part of the problem today. I think the biggest gift my parents ever gave me was NOT coddling me. For my Dad, earning a living came above everything else. I remember going with him to do sales calls at GM as a kid, in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, waiting for hours alone in the car,outside plants. while he did his business. Too much misery and too many bad unions result from being being brought up NEEDY. Just can't stand to be alone. Nothing more pathetic and sad than a NEEDY adult.

 

[Cat_Driver]

It's taken me years and years to be a "hard donkey", but being screwed may time will do that to you.
Today in my life I put EVERYTHING on paper and make both parties sign. I even did it yesterday. I had two identical pieces of equipment for sale on Craigslist. A guy called we agreed on the price and said he would send his guy out to pick them up. I confirmed CASH ONLY and that I would check the bills with a counterfeit bill checker. ( my brother in Tucson says counterfeiting is huge there on garage sales)

I typed up a document that showed the price of the showed the price, the name of his driver that was picking the items up, several lines that these were as is where is no warranty, No guarantees these will be suited for his particular needs, that they did not have an independent inspector verify the equipment.

I further stated that I showed the driver everything was working as designed in perfect order at my shop. and a bunch of other disclaimers.

I made the driver sign the paperwork and gave him a copy.

I've been using this style of receipt for 20 plus years now and I have NEVER had anyone come back at me because I make it quite clear on paper and make them always sign before they take anything I sell.

Every time I get a quote now I put everything we talked about ON PAPER and will email it to the person and allow them to change anything that they think they did not commit to in the conversation. This saved me a few thousand with a guy that tried to get more money out of me AFTER the job was finished and I was making the final payment. He said the extra money was for this and that. I pulled the "contract" that he signed, shoed it to him, and asked him if he in fact had signed the document. He said he did and forgot......YA NO KIDDING. When it's on paper there is not forgetting.

Generally speaking when I make people commit to signing things they tend to be a little more skittish about trying their tricks on me.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Kind of getting off topic, but maybe all part of the problem today. I think the biggest gift my parents ever gave me was NOT coddling me. For my Dad, earning a living came above everything else. I remember going with him to do sales calls at GM as a kid, in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, waiting for hours alone in the car,outside plants. while he did his business. Too much misery and too many bad unions result from being being brought up NEEDY. Just can't stand to be alone. Nothing more pathetic and sad than a NEEDY adult.

You lust kicked in a memory of my Dad. My Dad worked two jobs 16 hours a day as a welder fo Ford, and for Euclid Equipment.
He spent his time off repairing the junkers he drove.

I remember him buying parts at junkyards and then arguing with the counter guy (AND I MEAN ARGUING) over a quarter or fifty cents, it didn't matter he wanted things at his price and would wear people down.

As a kid, I would CRINGE every time we went inside to the parts counter, many times I had to leave because I was so embarrassed.

As life went on I became my Dad. Most kids are taught how to hunt, fish, play catch, ride a bike. I was taught none of those things. Through osmosis, I was taught negotiations. I became an expert at negotiations.
I have made a lot of money by NOT spending whatever it was that I was buying. It also helped me in business.

I remember when I was in catering sales for a major hotel chain. I was negotiating with the head Union guy at car manufacturer for a catered function. This guy was tough - I was tougher.
We got down to the dessert, he wanted a make your own sundae station with various ice cream flavors, sauces etc. for his convention after dinner.

I quoted him an outrageous price partially to tick him off because he was irritating me and partially because I was enjoying the game with a worthy opponent. Normally people were pushover for me in that business. I would quote a price people would say OK, offering me zero resistance to the point of being bored.

This Union Negotiator was pro, we traded blows back and forth. He'd get me down on this I'd charge him extra for that and back and forth we went. When I quoted him (even for me) that outrageous price for the dessert the blood drained out of his face. At this point, I knew whoever spoke first LOSES. I was silent, he was silent, his assistant was silent, you could hear a pin drop. I knew I had him because he let out a tell, he showed me his cards without knowing it. Here's where Dad's "training" comes in. He described the ice cream station to me better than I could have ever explained the delicious dessert AND I WAS IN THE BUSINESS.

Still a silent office, him looking at me, me looking at him, who would speak first? He spoke, he offered less I said I can't ( I knew I could by a lot if I wanted to) - he agreed to the price signed the contract and left with his assistant.

While I was trying to calm down from the intense "game" of negotiations, his assistant walked all the way back to my office and said "I've seen him (her boss) negotiate with hundreds of people and she told me she never saw anyone do what I just did to him.

Thanks, Dad

 

[MossRoad]

That's funny, I was thinking the same thing about your post. What did you bring to the thread with that comment? Please, let us know. And, I reported Moss's post, let's see what happens.

Too late. I reported myself as soon as I posted it. I know a group of folks that would get a laugh out of that.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Guess I am clueless or not easily offended. Feels like grade school. What in the world was there to report on any of those post ?

 

[MossRoad]

Kind of getting off topic, but maybe all part of the problem today. I think the biggest gift my parents ever gave me was NOT coddling me. For my Dad, earning a living came above everything else. I remember going with him to do sales calls at GM as a kid, in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, waiting for hours alone in the car,outside plants. while he did his business. Too much misery and too many bad unions result from being being brought up NEEDY. Just can't stand to be alone. Nothing more pathetic and sad than a NEEDY adult.

I went with my father to his office, job sites, back offices of construction supply houses, etc... However, he took me inside with him, introduced me to the adults, and showed me how to interact with them. I ended up good friends with many of his business associates' kids. So did all of my older siblings. We got to go on many tours of local buildings during the construction process. Met many business contacts. We had many family friends through his business contacts, the church, a few social organizations. Heck, we sat 365 people at our wedding. Half were family from both sides. 1/4 were friends of both sets of parents, and 1/4 were just my wife and my friends.

I've have been with my wife for 41 years this August. We take care of her parents when they need assistance. Mom will be 80 tomorrow. Dad has dementia and will be 93 this fall.

Wife and kid and her fiancé helped me pour concrete the last few weekends. They were out there pulling the screed, shoveling, vibrating it down, etc... hard work. Tonight, we had fish almandine for dinner, wife and I went to store and bought mortar mix and anchor bolts, stopped for ice cream on the way home, and now we're doing a puzzle of Lionel trains while watching TV.

I guess I do have a pathetic life, and I love it. :laughing: