Monday, December 22, 2008

Part I: How to Drive a Hard Bargain @ 1:22 AM

Nights at the busy Orchard Road are beginning to glow with the lights strung on buildings.The Christmas season is upon us!! Be it stockpiling gifts for our love ones or buying to save, most of us would seize the opportunity of Christmas Sales.

On the other hand, sales or special discounts (especially if you are a retail therapy supporter) often make you splurged on impulse or succumbed to manipulating sales tactics more easily than you usually would.

For instance, facials were supposed to be relaxing and soothing, right? But pushy beauticians often filled my facial sessions with tensions and anxieties. It has nothing to do with their skills or the products they used on me (although sometimes it does...).

Instead, it is often their manipulating sales tactics that leave me feeling strained and uneasy. Moreover, if you gave way to any of their tactics, you may also feel cheated, sullen or resentful, and might not return for their service again.

Beauty services can range from $30(trial) to thousands (when you sign a package with them). What about purchasing of vehicles or more expensive products? If you succumbed to their tactics and felt regretful about it, you might have to keep your credit card away for awhile.

Solution.... Say NO! Tactics

Automobile sales personnel or beauticians play the bargaining game on a daily basis and are very good at it. If you understand what they are up to in their sleeves, you will have a far better chance of standing firm, despite of their manipulating tactics. Be it standing firm in the face of sales tactics or getting your friends to say yes, you can do it - the psychological way. Read on!

Say NO! Tactic #1 - Door-in-the-face effect

A typical scenario when my beautician uses the DITF effect:

Beau: hmm...Julia, there's a a lot of blackheads and clogged pores on your face.

Me: hmm....*oh no...there she goes again*

Beau: We have a new DNA treatment that can really improve your condition dramatically. Do you want to try the treatment for additional $50?(....bla bla....goes on and on about how a previous customer tried the treatment and she couldn't live without the treatment after that...then...tells me how it will benefits me....and if I don't budge...she may use scare tactics by saying if I don't do the treatment NOW...my condition will worsen...)

Me: oh...Ok...I will give it a try.

Beau: You won't regret it.

Me: *I know I will regret it...damn...*
*
*
After the treatment...paying for the $50...
*
*
Beau: As you are our regular customer, we are giving you a special promotion. $2000 for 10 times of DNA treatment + 4 free manicures . How about that?

Me: Oh...I would like to consider about it.

Beau: The discount will only be valid today! How about $1000 for 5 times? Special for you only *smile sweetly*

Me: Thanks. But I....

Beau: Oh...if you don't like manicures, we can give you a student price! $700 for 5 times.

Me: I really...

Beau: What about $100 per treatment? This is the best price we can give you!

Noticed how the price went from $2000 as a package, to $100 per treatment (she gave up asking me to sign the package). This strategy works because I refused her at first. Many people would feel guilty because by refusing, the beautician appeared to have given up something. Therefore, one would become more willing to accept smaller requests later on. The more you refused, the guiltier you felt.

If the person had done you a favour (even the smallest) previously, you would find it even harder to resist this. Unsurprisingly, many people ended up giving in. If you understand her tricks, tell yourself that’s only DITF effect! You would never feel guilty again!

The DITF effect occurs not only in a beauty salon. The next time you feel guilty because you rejected an offer or request from your friend. STOP! Don't say yes when you wanted to say no.

YOU have the right the refuse.

P/S: Please look out for more Say NO! Tactics at Part II! Take care and please feedback!

Labels: Everyday Psychology

Monday, December 22, 2008

Part I: How to Drive a Hard Bargain @ 1:22 AM

Nights at the busy Orchard Road are beginning to glow with the lights strung on buildings.The Christmas season is upon us!! Be it stockpiling gifts for our love ones or buying to save, most of us would seize the opportunity of Christmas Sales.

On the other hand, sales or special discounts (especially if you are a retail therapy supporter) often make you splurged on impulse or succumbed to manipulating sales tactics more easily than you usually would.

For instance, facials were supposed to be relaxing and soothing, right? But pushy beauticians often filled my facial sessions with tensions and anxieties. It has nothing to do with their skills or the products they used on me (although sometimes it does...).

Instead, it is often their manipulating sales tactics that leave me feeling strained and uneasy. Moreover, if you gave way to any of their tactics, you may also feel cheated, sullen or resentful, and might not return for their service again.

Beauty services can range from $30(trial) to thousands (when you sign a package with them). What about purchasing of vehicles or more expensive products? If you succumbed to their tactics and felt regretful about it, you might have to keep your credit card away for awhile.

Solution.... Say NO! Tactics

Automobile sales personnel or beauticians play the bargaining game on a daily basis and are very good at it. If you understand what they are up to in their sleeves, you will have a far better chance of standing firm, despite of their manipulating tactics. Be it standing firm in the face of sales tactics or getting your friends to say yes, you can do it - the psychological way. Read on!

Say NO! Tactic #1 - Door-in-the-face effect

A typical scenario when my beautician uses the DITF effect:

Beau: hmm...Julia, there's a a lot of blackheads and clogged pores on your face.

Me: hmm....*oh no...there she goes again*

Beau: We have a new DNA treatment that can really improve your condition dramatically. Do you want to try the treatment for additional $50?(....bla bla....goes on and on about how a previous customer tried the treatment and she couldn't live without the treatment after that...then...tells me how it will benefits me....and if I don't budge...she may use scare tactics by saying if I don't do the treatment NOW...my condition will worsen...)

Me: oh...Ok...I will give it a try.

Beau: You won't regret it.

Me: *I know I will regret it...damn...*
*
*
After the treatment...paying for the $50...
*
*
Beau: As you are our regular customer, we are giving you a special promotion. $2000 for 10 times of DNA treatment + 4 free manicures . How about that?

Me: Oh...I would like to consider about it.

Beau: The discount will only be valid today! How about $1000 for 5 times? Special for you only *smile sweetly*

Me: Thanks. But I....

Beau: Oh...if you don't like manicures, we can give you a student price! $700 for 5 times.

Me: I really...

Beau: What about $100 per treatment? This is the best price we can give you!

Noticed how the price went from $2000 as a package, to $100 per treatment (she gave up asking me to sign the package). This strategy works because I refused her at first. Many people would feel guilty because by refusing, the beautician appeared to have given up something. Therefore, one would become more willing to accept smaller requests later on. The more you refused, the guiltier you felt.

If the person had done you a favour (even the smallest) previously, you would find it even harder to resist this. Unsurprisingly, many people ended up giving in. If you understand her tricks, tell yourself that’s only DITF effect! You would never feel guilty again!

The DITF effect occurs not only in a beauty salon. The next time you feel guilty because you rejected an offer or request from your friend. STOP! Don't say yes when you wanted to say no.

YOU have the right the refuse.

P/S: Please look out for more Say NO! Tactics at Part II! Take care and please feedback!

Labels: Everyday Psychology