[Mike Andrew]

My take with net transactions is that, much like net forums, people type things that they would never say in a face to face situation. Hence, some of the incredibly low "offers". Keypad makes everybody tough as been noted here ad nauseum over the years. I think that many buyers think that they are dealing with someone in a desperate situation and can use that to their advantage which, to me, says a great deal about their character and values.

Spent close to 40 years in aero procurement. Worked with people that would negotiate everything they bought with the idea that if you don't ask, you'll never know. For some people and cultures, it is just ingrained. Almost to a person, they could never get help when we had program acceleration and needed components sooner. They never understood why I was so successful in pulling in product and still managed decent pricing and savings to the company. Came down to understanding when to negotiate and when the price was already fair. One of my MRO buyers spent an entire morning going back and forth with 4 or five suppliers to save what amounted to $40.00 on cases of toilet paper while I was paying him $70 grand a year.

Just bought a new Forester from the same guy I bought the last one from. Last car was more than fairly priced and I paid asking price. New Forester - I banged a number on a sticky note and said that it was my ceiling. Done! They won and I won. Bonus is not wasting hours and generating animosity to save $100.00.