Do you strategically plan your outfit before heading to a garage sale? If not, you could be hurting your bottom line.
Negotiating can be tricky for beginners. It may look easy, but it’s much more than throwing out a number and adjusting based on the response. There are strategies and tricks that involve all sorts of factors; one of which is what you’re wearing.
It may seem unfair, but I’ll be the first one to tell you that what you’re wearing matters. If you want to come from a position of strength, you need to dress as though you don’t have money. This means you need to leave your Rolex, your diamonds and your fancy handbag at home. When you show up at a garage sale, estate sale, or even an antique store, you need to look as though you don’t have much money to spend.
As a seller, I’ll admit that I look my buyer up and down before giving a counteroffer. If I think he or she can afford to pay more than they’re offering, I won’t accept. On the flip side, if he or she looks to be of modest means, I’m more likely to negotiate a lower price (it also helps to be nice and personable).
I would also recommend being aware of what car you choose to take to on your garage sale adventure. If you have a nice car, park it a safe distance from your destination. A good sales person will always sneak a peak at your vehicle if they have the chance. A fancy car could hurt your negotiations just as much a Gucci bag.
This may not seem particularly fair, but it’s the way negotiations work. So do yourself a favor, leave the bling at home and you’ll be positioned to negotiate like a pro.
Good luck on your garage sale millionaire quest!
Happy hunting!
-Aaron
To learn more about Aaron LaPedis, visit www.thegaragesalemillionaire.com or contact him at [email protected].