I'm getting tired of dealing with people

[Al]

Originally Posted By: dlundblad

We are getting poorer? Many folks don't realize their financial situations are in their hands.

Quoted for truth

 

[Pop_Rivit]

In many cultures that level of "haggling' is normal and accepted. In ethnically diverse areas much of the population has brought it from the old country. In this area, it's not unusual or rude to discuss and agree on a price up-front, but trying to negotiate a reduced price after a price has been agreed upon and the work done wouldn't be tolerated. I don't think I've ever heard of it being done around here.

 

[Benito]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
And now, I'm certain that I'm playing to hidden cameras and a live studio audience (who are laughing themselves to death), and the people who interact with me are well paid actors with elaborate and detailed scripts.


Should we start calling you "Truman"?

 

[BRZED]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
In many cultures that level of "haggling' is normal and accepted. In ethnically diverse areas much of the population has brought it from the old country. In this area, it's not unusual or rude to discuss and agree on a price up-front, but trying to negotiate a reduced price after a price has been agreed upon and the work done wouldn't be tolerated. I don't think I've ever heard of it being done around here.


Should you ever find yourself in Yemen, you have to haggle about everything. About the armed escort from the airport to the hotel, with the taxi driver, with the guide. with the local police and general, about the quat and the goats, you name it!

 

[SeaJay]

If you are your own boss, you need to be the one to deal with the customers. There is more to it than just doing the work and collecting then money.

 

[Alfred_B]

Originally Posted By: BRZED
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
In many cultures that level of "haggling' is normal and accepted. In ethnically diverse areas much of the population has brought it from the old country. In this area, it's not unusual or rude to discuss and agree on a price up-front, but trying to negotiate a reduced price after a price has been agreed upon and the work done wouldn't be tolerated. I don't think I've ever heard of it being done around here.


Should you ever find yourself in Yemen, you have to haggle about everything. About the armed escort from the airport to the hotel, with the taxi driver, with the guide. with the local police and general, about the quat and the goats, you name it!


It's actually rude not to haggle. You imply that you are dealing with a stupid person who doesn't know the price of things.

 

[Alfred_B]

Originally Posted By: SeaJay
If you are your own boss, you need to be the one to deal with the customers. There is more to it than just doing the work and collecting then money.


The OP is an employee, not his own boss. It's surprising that he takes things so personally. It's not his job to haggle prices unless he has been given the authority by his manager (highly doubtful based on the original message).

 

[dlundblad]

I find it rude to haggle in the US.

A CL ad for example.. you post your price (without an OBO) and someone will send you an email offering you 25%-50% less than your asking price.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
Originally Posted By: SeaJay
If you are your own boss, you need to be the one to deal with the customers. There is more to it than just doing the work and collecting then money.


The OP is an employee, not his own boss. It's surprising that he takes things so personally. It's not his job to haggle prices unless he has been given the authority by his manager (highly doubtful based on the original message).


Also being an employee, I take it personally because the customer makes it personal. Customers will threaten to have me fired. A few have threatened physical harm to myself, they end up leaving in the back of a police car.

 

[splinter]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
..Customers will threaten to have me fired..


Wow I had no idea that working the parts counter could be so challenging. You've my sympathies.

 

[BRZED]

Originally Posted By: Alfred_B
Originally Posted By: BRZED
Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
In many cultures that level of "haggling' is normal and accepted. In ethnically diverse areas much of the population has brought it from the old country. In this area, it's not unusual or rude to discuss and agree on a price up-front, but trying to negotiate a reduced price after a price has been agreed upon and the work done wouldn't be tolerated. I don't think I've ever heard of it being done around here.


Should you ever find yourself in Yemen, you have to haggle about everything. About the armed escort from the airport to the hotel, with the taxi driver, with the guide. with the local police and general, about the quat and the goats, you name it!


It's actually rude not to haggle. You imply that you are dealing with a stupid person who doesn't know the price of things.


Yeah, they fell cheated out of pleasure if you don't haggle. Haggling, well done, makes both parties winners.

 

[Alfred_B]

Originally Posted By: BRZED
Yeah, they fell cheated out of pleasure if you don't haggle. Haggling, well done, makes both parties winners.


Yep.

 

[Nyogtha]

"Ten for that you must be mad!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n3LL338aGA

One of my favorite movies, but it doesn't get any air time these days.

 

[grampi]

Part of the problem is the "entitlement" society we now live in, but I also think part of it is a reputation of auto repair places ripping people off...this may not be as prevalent as it once was, but a reputation like that is hard to shake. My mechanic is the best, and most trustworthy I've ever had, and I intend to give him my business until one of us is in our grave!

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: BRZED


Yeah, they fell cheated out of pleasure if you don't haggle. Haggling, well done, makes both parties winners.


Good haggling:

"Well it's nice, but it's not what I'm looking for."

"I don't mind the surface rust you mentioned in the ad but the Emissions Monitors aren't ready and I'm afraid of what could be lurking."

It's part of the act of pretending you're doing the seller a favor.

Bad haggling:

"$XXX (60% of asking price) is all I got!"
"What's the lowest cash price you can do if I buy today", over the phone, followed by, "how about lower?"

You need to BE RESPECTFUL going both ways.

When I've been on the other end, getting lowballed, I'll say, jeez, I'd really like to get $XXX but maybe if it doesn't sell by next week I'll give you a call, or you'll see my ad with the new price. This puts the Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt onto the buyer that someone else will buy it "out from under him."

Also oddly people have to pick something apart... a 200k used car for 1/20 of MSRP, for example. Make an offer FOR NO REASON and immediately concede that someone else might come along after you and pay more. You don't have to back yourself up with facts.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I trust my mechanic/garage such that most works were not estimated before start, I just paid whatever he told me when I picked up the car. Most of the times he charged me less than I expected.

This. I have used these two guys at a small local shop for over 40 years. They are dead honest, reliable and more than reasonable in price. I can't recall having ever been dis-satisfied in that whole time.

If its a bigger job I will ask "about how much" just for mostly curiosity. Otherwise he just has a blank check to do what's necessary. But even then he will call if it might get expensive. I am 100% spoiled.

But yea, people live beyond their means and a car repair is an unplanned expense that will affect their financial life.


You sound like a quality customer. But, some of us may react better to say a $150 estimate then getting a bill after repairs for $135 versus vice versa

 

[HTSS_TR]

There are 2 sides in this story, customers/car owners and garage who provides services.

As a customer I like to stay with garage that I have good service with reasonable charge, never over-charged. I will stay with this mechanic and his garage until they close or I can't drive anymore.

As a garage owner/operator, I think when you have reasonable customers who understand the service you provide is good at fair price, they always pay what you ask then you should never inflate the cost to make up for the lost you have with other customers. What I mean is when you have a good customer you should do what you can to keep him/her coming back and he/she may refer their relatives, friends, coworkers to your place.

 

[mjoekingz28]

If you arent getting ahead you are getting behind.....

Kill them before they kill you.



Like in the 2006 World Cup. I think Germany versus Spain. Spain hammered and hammered and eventually got a few goals. Germany seemed only to play defense and got zero points. The best defense is an aggressive offense.

I wouldnt call it a respect problem eljefino. I am tired of hearing about respect and confidence. Even the golden rule may not work. Someone may eat their food off the floor, so serving their guest food from the floor would be golden, no?

Gold is giving your guest the choice meat, or the colder beer so to speak. And even better is withholding any bad feelings from treating someone good. Like, calling them a siver spoon fed, or everything is handed to them on a silver platter, or just plain hating someone because they have it easier, better or richer than you. Then turning around and blaming those less fortunate than yourself for all of societal issues.

 

[GMFan]

Not surprising. I hear of plenty of people who take out six figures of student loans and default on them. Entitlement society is growing. The thought of arguing over a bill after an agreed amount is absurd in my opinion. People are slowly losing integrity. If you owe money for work performed be an honest person and pay your bills. This is fundamental in being a decent human being.

I have a buddy who works at Midas. He said about half of their customers take out a Midas credit card to finance their repairs. Perhaps Chris lives in a very low income area and they have no money?

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal


Also being an employee, I take it personally because the customer makes it personal. Customers will threaten to have me fired. A few have threatened physical harm to myself, they end up leaving in the back of a police car.


Good grief, that is disgusting.