Comments on: How to Negotiate like an Indian — 7 Rules http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/ Tim Ferriss's 4-Hour Workweek and Lifestyle Design Blog Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:32:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: YVR http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-63569 YVR Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:16:33 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/#comment-63569 I realize this blog is old but just want to chip in, in case some one might find it interesting and still read it (like me.) I run a small business and luckily don't have to deal with a lot of Indian customers. However when I have one, it usually is a pain in the butt. They always grind. I have one Indian gentleman (who drove newer model BMW) countered my asking price of an item from $10 to $5!!! And that's not all, he's actually said "I'm a man, and I'm not happy until I get what I want." How ridiculous is that, 50% off!? I wonder if he goes to the McDonald's drive-through in his new BMW and the cashier asks for $5 for his big mac meal, does he say come on it's only worth $2.50 and I'm a man blah blah blah..? These people need to realize they're no longer in India! Maybe it's a way of life for them but it may not be for other people. I just want to scream get out of my store you cheapskate... I realize this blog is old but just want to chip in, in case some one might find it interesting and still read it (like me.)

I run a small business and luckily don’t have to deal with a lot of Indian customers. However when I have one, it usually is a pain in the butt. They always grind. I have one Indian gentleman (who drove newer model BMW) countered my asking price of an item from $10 to $5!!! And that’s not all, he’s actually said “I’m a man, and I’m not happy until I get what I want.” How ridiculous is that, 50% off!? I wonder if he goes to the McDonald’s drive-through in his new BMW and the cashier asks for $5 for his big mac meal, does he say come on it’s only worth $2.50 and I’m a man blah blah blah..?

These people need to realize they’re no longer in India! Maybe it’s a way of life for them but it may not be for other people. I just want to scream get out of my store you cheapskate…

]]> By: Jack http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-58023 Jack Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:41:31 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/#comment-58023 Hey Tim, Thanks for exposing this strategy...I've experienced it many times so far. 100% loose-loose strategy. When someone tries to pull a stunt like that, if I can't help them see the value they are getting, I send them somewhere else. Right away. I don't want my services to be commoditized.I sell VALUE and RESULTS and not vegetable. I don't want to deal with people who adhere to this "cheapest possible" model at all cost. It''s a loose-loose proposition to compete on price. I actively refuse business like that. Look, the cheapest people are the most trouble long term.Not only do they insist on the cheapest price for everything, but they are a drain on your resources post purchase. Those of you who run your own businesses know what I am talking about. Is your business a charity? I didn't think so. 30% minimum discount? Hell, no, if your products and services are priced right. Most businesses margins are so small nowdays, there is no way they can afford to give that kind of discount. Or they'd go out of business. Yes, this model will probably work for one off transactions, but if people think they are going to have a long term ongoing business relationship with someone, they are sadly mistaken. Jack Hey Tim,

Thanks for exposing this strategy…I’ve experienced it many times so far.

100% loose-loose strategy.

When someone tries to pull a stunt like that, if I can’t help them see the value they are getting, I send them somewhere else. Right away. I don’t want my services to be commoditized.I sell VALUE and RESULTS and not vegetable. I don’t want to deal with people who adhere to this “cheapest possible” model at all cost. It’’s a loose-loose proposition to compete on price. I actively refuse business like that.

Look, the cheapest people are the most trouble long term.Not only do they insist on the cheapest price for everything, but they are a drain on your resources post purchase. Those of you who run your own businesses know what I am talking about. Is your business a charity? I didn’t think so.

30% minimum discount? Hell, no, if your products and services are priced right. Most businesses margins are so small nowdays, there is no way they can afford to give that kind of discount. Or they’d go out of business.

Yes, this model will probably work for one off transactions, but if people think they are going to have a long term ongoing business relationship with someone, they are sadly mistaken.

Jack

]]> By: Amit Gupta http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-57862 Amit Gupta Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:49:44 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/#comment-57862 Its about cultures, the negotiation culture is a part of India and no one minds it within India (I don't know if this culture was developed after British made India poor or it was already there). However, as a habit Indians do the same in America. Probably this can be taught by Indian government to all US immigrants (anyone seen the movie Borat). Or by US govt before issuing any visa. After reading users' comments in this post it is clear that people are not comfortable with this culture (atleast non-asians). So I have a humble request to Tim that please don't encourage this culture and try to take this post off for the sake of society, if possible. Blame yourself if tomorrow you see Americans negotiating for pennys on the street. And yes, there are some non-facts in your post. Please try to update the post according to some users' comments, they are right. Thanks! Its about cultures, the negotiation culture is a part of India and no one minds it within India (I don’t know if this culture was developed after British made India poor or it was already there). However, as a habit Indians do the same in America.

Probably this can be taught by Indian government to all US immigrants (anyone seen the movie Borat). Or by US govt before issuing any visa.

After reading users’ comments in this post it is clear that people are not comfortable with this culture (atleast non-asians). So I have a humble request to Tim that please don’t encourage this culture and try to take this post off for the sake of society, if possible. Blame yourself if tomorrow you see Americans negotiating for pennys on the street.

And yes, there are some non-facts in your post. Please try to update the post according to some users’ comments, they are right.

Thanks!

]]> By: Curmudgeon http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-57107 Curmudgeon Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:20:32 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/#comment-57107 I may be missing the point, but it seems as if the article is based strictly on a win-lose model. Negotiating a great deal can be win-win and it's sad to see this article take such a negative approach. That said, the Indians I have met certainly live up to the hard-bargain-at-all-costs model. In addition a majority of them were rude, insulting, and unwilling to listen to the other side. I've personally booted hundreds of them out of my store for such bad behaviour and my business has yet to suffer from it. I may be missing the point, but it seems as if the article is based strictly on a win-lose model. Negotiating a great deal can be win-win and it’s sad to see this article take such a negative approach.

That said, the Indians I have met certainly live up to the hard-bargain-at-all-costs model. In addition a majority of them were rude, insulting, and unwilling to listen to the other side. I’ve personally booted hundreds of them out of my store for such bad behaviour and my business has yet to suffer from it.

]]> By: Indian http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/comment-page-1/#comment-57019 Indian Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:20:31 +0000 http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/12/11/how-to-negotiate-like-an-indian-7-rules/#comment-57019 I'm an Indian and I am absolutely shocking at negotiating. I've made some blunders in my time. I’m an Indian and I am absolutely shocking at negotiating. I’ve made some blunders in my time.

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