On The Art of Negotiation

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Wheelman-111
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On The Art of Negotiation

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

Scooter parts, like any commodity, have value. It is sometimes difficult to determine exactly what that value is. The parts themselves are sometimes overshadowed by the financial circumstances of the buyer and the seller. Enter the process of negotiation.

The maximum value of a used part must be considered in relation to the price of that part purchased new. Typically used parts can be purchased for around 50% of the new price. A seller might charge a little more if the part is in exceptionally good condition. The asking price is as much a reflection of the seller's mindset and economic need as it is of the condition of the part itself.

The same thing goes for a buyer's offer. The informed buyer might offer something considerably below the asking price, even below the average used price. He may be looking for a screaming good deal, or he may be financially incapable of offering more. The astute seller may graciously decline the lowball offer, but loses any chance for a sale if he takes - or feigns - offense and slams the door on the prospective buyer.

Instead, the seller has several better options:

1. Restate his price, and say "take it or leave it". This approach creates no bad feelings and does no harm to the opportunity for future mutually beneficial interaction. However the seller is likely to have to wait for another buyer.
2. If the seller has any pressure to sell at all, an even better option would be to take a token - say 10% or even 5% - off the original asking and give the buyer the opportunity to come up if he can. Usually the outcome is that the parties meet about halfway.

A lawyer once told me that a fair deal is usually one where neither party walks away completely happy. Keep that in mind when you're conducting business here or anywhere.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
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Re: On The Art of Negotiation

Post by Bear45-70 »

Your missive is very true. It reminds me of the following three things.

"One mans trash is another mans treasure"

"TOLERANCE is a virtue possessed by those with no conviction..."

"The difference between a wise man and a fool is that the wise man learns from the mistakes others!"
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Re: On The Art of Negotiation

Post by noiseguy »

Don't forget a few other things when deciding a price:

1) Substitution: The value/price of substitute/aftermarket parts, that may or may not be as good as OEM parts, or handmade parts. The Spree OEM blinker module is expensive, but can be easily replaced with a $3 automotive aftermarket part.

2) Desireability/need: Front rims get bent all the time, but how often does someone need an oil tank? An oil tank assembly is really expensive by the part, but easy to obtain cheaply b/c they rarely need replaced and many sellers have them left over from parted out bikes.

3) Perceived condition: A carburetor that is "guaranteed to be clean" by a reputable seller is more valuable than a carb that is removed with no known history.

4) Actual condition: How many tabs are left on that sidepanel?

5) Rareness: Spree petcock cover, anyone?
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Re: On The Art of Negotiation

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

Good points, NoiseGuy. Consider also the 1987 Elite SE50 plastics... Cha-Ching!$$$
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
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