It’s sometimes weird to think that negotiations can happen when there isn’t actual cash or prices to cut down. But in my experience, it does happen. Here’s what I’ve observed:
The person who wants to describe his/her item to trade first is generally the person who wants to trade it more. In one example, I was trading a desktop computer and a car GPS system for a RC gas-powered truck. We had several computers sitting in storage collecting dust, and the GPS system we only used once (I like my iPhone maps better). So that was sitting around as well. Not much value to us.
But hey, I’m a guy.
Anything radio-controlled and gas-powered gets my attention.
Sure, I would probably not spend $400-500 for an RC truck, especially in this economy. But hey, for junk (to me) that’s just sitting around, and the value I can get by playing with this truck and with my sons…Awesome!
Of course when trading, you think what’s wrong with the other person’s stuff that they would want to trade for my junk. Funny thing is, they are thinking exactly the same thing. Because every person values everything so differently, that’s why trading is so fun.
So the guy brings the RC truck into my house, and quickly starts talking about all the cool features and accessories while the whole time he’s talking, I’m trying to get a word in about how cool the computer and GPS system are. I didn’t really care to hear much of the truck because I just wanted it so bad, like when you get a cool new video game, and your parents are trying to tell you how to play. You’ll figure it out. So I felt the same way with the RC truck.
Then it became my turn to talk about my stuff, and he didn’t really care to hear it. He just wanted it really bad. Funny thing was, I was willing to throw in a portable DVD player as well, but he seemed to be so stoked on the other two items that I didn’t really push them taking the DVD player.
So get a feel for how badly the other person wants your stuff. I still like to make it a cool trade and win-win for the other person, so don’t be too cut throat. Leave some room for gleaning.
If you are too cut throat, it could kill the deal entirely. I was about to make a multiple item trade. The guy was happy with what I offered, and then he started asking for more. I agreed to one more item, and then he asked for another. I just started to get turned off by his greediness, he ended up being a jerk, and so I just canceled it all together. I still only choose to trade with cool people. People that just want to get every little bit out of you even though they don’t really value what you’re giving is lame. If you’re happy with the deal the way it is, just leave some room in it for them as well.
Another thing, don’t let the other user talk down about how much your item is worth. Sure, you may be the guy on crack, but if you believe it’s worth that much, then stick to it. If you are not getting a lot of trade offers, you may need to rethink it. Not everyone wants that hand-knit handkerchief your great-grandmother made.
