Occasionally people ask how I continually find great (or free) deals.
I really didn't have a solid answer until now.
Number one is;
I keep my eyes open all the time. In my head I have a constant
list of what I want, what I need, what will fulfil a use, and can I
sell, or trade a specific item I find.
When I find an item (from property, to pencil sharpeners) I start
to negotiate. This is the part I could never fully articulate until now.
I happened to see an article (link is below), and everything recommended
was something I was already doing. If you want to know how I
negotiate great deals, then take a look at the article. You may want
to make a copy to send on to other members as I don't believe the
link will stay active for too long.
-Rick
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1442167&_blg=4
Comments
Always, always ask
I was recently in a fairly new (well, new to me) Burger King
that was slated to be demolished. They didn't want us to
damage the exterior doors while training, so we took good
care of the building. Several of us were drooling over the 21-
4'x5' windows, the 120' of railing (EXACTLY what I needed
for my west boundary, it even had pillars!), and best of all
three, walk in coolers. From what we knew the salvage crew
would be in as soon as we left.
Too late I found out there was no salvage crew. The
Burger King was on the ground! Nothing but some
broken concrete, and a big twisted I-beam. I went to
school with one of the guys negotiating the deal with
the building. All I had to do was ask, but I mistakenly
assumed
it was all to be salvaged.
Ask
Ask
Ask.
The worst they can say is no, and for me, the best would
have been a lot of materials I could have used, and two walk in coolers
to sell.
I'd say, "Snooze ya lose", but this time I didn't even set my proverbial
alarm clock.
-Rick
anyone?? not sure..
..how many they have or if they need to get rid of anything else. might be able to make a bed or two out of these.
http://louisville.craigslist.org/mat/1515993928.html
Finding good deals
Maybe Rocklock hit it on the head.
An attitude of; "Yeah, that's (your asking price) a good
deal, not as good as the other deal, but that's there,
and I'm here, so let's talk." I can't just convey that I
could walk away from a deal, but convince myself in my
heart to walk away if the deals not good enough.
One word though...
I will never negotiate a wage with a craftsman... someone
who is skilled, and works with his hands, and feeds his
family from the work of his hands. I will pass, or pay his
price, but I will never haggle with a craftsman.
A story or two? I'm trying to think of one I haven't told.
I told about the mountain of glass insulation, I told about
the framing materials, I told the story about the truck....
I generally hunt for the greedy, and get good deals off
them. I once bought a car from a guy I DIDN'T trust. I
caught him early on in our conversation. This guy was
a well coached cheat, but he was a little down on his
luck, and in a hurry to sell. Bought a very nice car off him for
a little less than 50 cents on the dollar. When he gave
me his bottom price I said; "I don't know if I have that
much money. I then went over to my truck, pulled out a
bag of cash (it was only a few thousand dollars, but his
eyes popped out of his head. That's when I knew I had
him. Before walking over to him with the cash, I slipped
a few hundred dollars behind the seat. I counted out the rest left in the bag in front of him. "Oh..huh...I'm a
few hundred short... well, oh well. Well, would you
take$XXXX?
"Sold!"
That turned out to be a great car for us, BUT, I did know
about that type of car, so I wasn't totally blind when buying. You have to be certain you're not buying junk,
(or something stolen!!) and give yourself a margin to
allow for repairs, or upgrades.
Generally I make friends when buying, and work a mutually
beneficial deal. If I spot a con artist I walk away quick,
or try to out manuver him.
I saw a very specific item in the classifieds. I wanted the
item, and the name in the ad led me to believe I knew the
seller. I happened to see him the next day. Turns out it
wasn't him, but I was ready to buy, then when he was
back on his feet, resell to him for what I paid. A no interest,
no term loan. Sometimes (well, all the time) you have to
do what is right, but a guy who stabs everybody on his
way to the top might need to expect some rough bargaining
on his way back down to the bottom.
Well, this has been a little disjointed, but all I can say is:
Be ready to buy,
be ready to travel,
have the cash on hand, and
be ready to walk away.
-Rick
Negotiation Examples
Sat, 2009-12-19 15:02
Rick,
I followed the link and read the article. The ideas are good, but examples would be inspiring. How about telling us a tale or two?
Peter (in Virginia)
donjuedo
if you look at the pics in my signature, I have 6 huge windows in my house, I got all of them by trading work. a guy I know works at a window place, he needed trees cut down, I needed windows, it took me one day to cut down the trees he wanted, and he helped me install all the windows, they are the expensive store windows, low E, tempered glass, double pane, over an inch thick! anyways, i have saved a ton of money by calling around, and when sub contractors know they arent the only ones bidding on a job, the price comes way down. just a few thoughts, where in Va are you? I am building Roanoke
All 419
Mon, 2009-12-21 19:17
RckClmbr428,
I did look at the pics, all 419 of them -- that's what took me so long to reply! :-) It is addictive. Very nice home you're building, by the way. How long since you started, and how long until you think you'll be moving in?
Did you use the trees your friend wanted cut down?
With that view, the windows are even more important than normal. I'm gradually getting the right frame of mind, being on the hunt, but it will be some time before I can take much action. I'm a computer programmer by profession, looking in the northern Virginia job market. I'm about 3.5 hours northeast of you, in the Fredericksburg area. My next job may move me anywhere in the world, for all I know, and I'm not committed to land, yet.
I like the Appalachian Trail, but would prefer to move further north along it, to get more snow. I figure Winter gets cold anyway, so I might as well get the beauty of the snow, too.
Also, your company site under construction looks great, both pleasing and professional.
Peter
getting great deals
I just spend an inordinate amount of time in dumpsters.
Thanks for the advice Rick- gives some more ideas. Free materials ain't always cheap or easy.
My windows
I bought most of my windows and doors from Craig's list or from lumber yards bone yards. I have established my self as some one that is looking for a bargain at my home lumber yard. I found two window that fit the bill. I talked to the window guy and he gave me a song and dance about the windows and how they were special and the actual cost that were over $300 for the both of them. Something about tempered glass and stuff. He said that the price would be $150 for the pair. He walked out and check to see that they were both available. They were. As we walked back I told him that I had paid less for windows before. He said something a little weird - " Aren't those windows dirty?" I said, playing along, "Yes, their filthy!" So he sold them to me for 50 bucks each.
Your Windows
Sun, 2009-12-20 07:50
I like that, Dave. It clearly pays to be patient, and always on the hunt.
Peter
Negotiating
I am terrible at negotiating if I am talking with an actual person (not a salesman in a store). What I try to do is only pay with cash and I only have what I am willing to pay. Its amazing how fast someone will come down 30 percent when they realize you are going to have to walk away.
Patrick
Negotiating
Sun, 2009-12-20 07:53
Patrick, that sounds like a good strategy, too. I know a lot of small business owners cringe at paying merchant fees to credit card companies. Having that "hard" limit of cash on hand is something I've never tried, but now I will.
Peter
Barting for goods is fun and easy
I lived in Greece for 2 years and you never pay full price on some goods near the arcroplis for stuff it was all over inflated.
As kid i learned to talk people down on good it was fun and that what allot them expected.
I got 2 pictures windows they got online now with arch top new construction they been used. There try get rid them for some time.
They got listed for 100 for 2 i offered 70 and they take it i go pick them up soon as they dig the 2 feet snow out here.
Any one got teaspoon to help ahaah
i am always finding good deals but one thing ive got no were store the stuff.
Talking some down but dont talk them so far down its insult to them.
It never hurts to try and you get good at as you do more and more
Nothing ventured nothing gained seya