Sunday's Negotiating Tip:

Bad guys always wear plaid. Well, maybe not. But one thing to always avoid is someone who is not an experienced salesperson or negotiator. Many people I’ve talked to over the years have said that they wanted to avoid experienced sales pros, fearing that they will be “taken” or spend too much money. I’ve not found this to be the case. In fact, I’ve found just the opposite is true.

A good salesperson understands that a one time sale that leaves the buyer unsatisfied will not turn into a repeat sale later on. Car dealers rely heavily on repeat customers. Experienced sales people are more likely to know ways to work around special problems and provide creative solutions to help satisfy your needs. Also, the top producing sales pros can pick up on your buying signals and will approach the sale in a manner that best caters to your needs and your style of negotiating.

Seek out good sales professionals. Don’t just accept the first person that comes up to you in a store or a car lot. Ask them how long they’ve been in sales and how long they’ve been at the store. If it is not more than a year, ask for a more experienced person or their manager. You’ll find your buying experience to be more pleasant!