Comments on: Silence Can Be A Great Negotiating Tactic

By: mary

mary — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:01:44 +0000

Absolutely, I have used silence before in negotiating, estimating jobs, even when dealing with angry customers! Very effective, learned it totally by accident when purchasing a new car 18 years ago (the last time I purchased a new car, still have it). We were at an impasse in the road and I just stopped talking and stared at my spouse for about 5 or 10 seconds (not at a tactic at the time, just thinking). The salesman automatically started dropping their price without me saying a thing. Silence sends some sort of message that they might be losing the sale altogether and they immediately start backpedaling! Love it, very empowering!!!

By: Karla Smith

Karla Smith — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:20:25 +0000

Sometimes silence can be really uncomfortable but as you mention above it could be a great tactic for negotiation.

By: youngandthrifty

youngandthrifty — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:59:54 +0000

Nice! Good job! I think that works quite well in person, but I’m not sure that staying silent on the phone would work as well, though (if you’re negotiating your cell phone contract or cable bill on the phone). =)

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:02:11 +0000

silence on the phone is even more dramatic. every second feel like 6 so if you ask a question and wait 2 or 3 seconds. the person on the other line is 100% going to spill the beans and you will automatically have a leg up.

By: Budgeting in the Fun Stuff

Budgeting in the Fun Stuff — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:31:55 +0000

I’m like Everyday Tips, I usually speak first. I will have to try the silent pause next time we’re buying something big…I see it being difficult for me. :-)

By: Barb Friedberg

Barb Friedberg — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:28:26 +0000

BRILLIANT; I love to negotiate (everything). Thanks for the “reminder” regarding the power of silence; it works in so many situations. Best regards, Barb

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:27:29 +0000

@Car Negotiation Coach, My favorite negotiator has got to be Herb Cohen. I read his books and I couldn’t get enough of it!

By: Car Negotiation Coach

Car Negotiation Coach — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:07:30 +0000

Daniel, Silence is golden! If you really like negotiating stories, google Roger Dawson. He’s got a great series of books and articles on the subject.

By: Moneyedup

Moneyedup — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:44:12 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story. People often forget that silence can sometimes communicate more than words can. It’s great to hear that you bargained your way to such a great deal on your electricity and rent. Your story is also a reminder that it is always good to read over any type of lease or contract with the land lord or real estate agent. If you hadn’t read over every detail you would have missed this vital information about your electricity bill.

By: Doug Warshauer

Doug Warshauer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:22:54 +0000

Great story, and a great tip.

There’s another lesson in your story as well – if you reach a roadblock going down one path, try another. You didn’t need to do it, because your leasing agent did it for you, but if he hadn’t suggested dropping half a month’s rent, you could have proposed it yourself. Sometimes you need to try a variety of different ways to get what you are looking for before you find one the other party can agree to.

By: Jenna

Jenna — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:23:48 +0000

The key is silence, plus being able to do quick math. That is always helpful if silence doesn’t work. Plus, being silent gives you time to do the math in your head :)

By: Everyday Tips

Everyday Tips — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:03:59 +0000

Great job! I am usually one to say something, so I am going to try this trick next time!!

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:02:56 +0000

Good work! We learned silence as a tactic in business school as well. Get them to negotiate themselves for you!

Use silence in job salary negotiations too.

By: Money Beagle

Money Beagle — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:14:17 +0000

I love stories like that. Good work! I’m pretty impressed about your low bill as well.

By: Bucksome Boomer

Bucksome Boomer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:11:55 +0000

Daniel, that’s one of the tips I heard from Dave Ramsey during Financial Peace University. Of course, I can’t say I employed it yet.

It’s good to hear that it is effective for one of us “ordinary people”. Congratulations on the success!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:46:59 +0000

@Leslie, On average, that’s what it should come out to. We have a small apartment with one air conditioner. In the winter, it should be below that. I spoke with someone last night who said that it gets expensive in the summer months. How high? Around $60. That doesn’t scare me at all.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:07:16 +0000

$30/month?!? What? Sure in the fall months the electricity bill split three ways is about that but in the summer and winter it’s double that.