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My Conversation with a Car Salesman

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Submitted By mayankkukreja99
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Me: Hello, I’d like to speak with someone in your sales department

We are then escorted down a corridor and sat in an office. A few moments later a clean cut gentleman walks in with a smile and firmly shakes our hands. He pulls out a blank sheet to gather our requirements for a vehicle. We’ll call the guy “Mr Sales” – he introduces himself and asks

Mr. Sales: What type of vehicle are you looking for?

Me: A small or mid-sized SUV to replace my 2004 Outlander. I’m looking for a 2007 or later.

Mr. Sales begins to drill down to the specifics (must haves & would be nice) for my next vehicle: power locks, foreign or domestic, moon roof etc. Then he asks THE BIG QUESTION:

Mr. Sales: What is your price range?

Mr. A and I give each other a look. I’ve already set my price, but I didn’t know if I wanted to disclose it. Should I go high and then try to get him show me cars and negotiate down? Should I go low so he can “think” he’s talking me up? Wait a minute! These are the exact games I loathe! I give him an honest answer:

Me: $10,000 or less

At this point Mr. Sales face sinks in just a little. He turns to his computer to search is inventory. I watch his eyes scan the screen. There was a long silence, but someone once told me during negotiation that silence is powerful. I looked around his office and noticed an old copy of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War on his desk. I chuckled to myself and thought – know your enemy!

(Side note: Not only has The Art of War been heavily influential in developing military strategies, but also leadership, business, and management)

Mr. Sales: Hmm…I’m not finding anything…with that price point your options are going to be limited, which is kind of what I thought before I even started looking.

Me: OK… (as in…OK….see ya later!)

Mr. Sales: Hold on a minute….

He gets up and goes to talk to another gentleman. I can see

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