“I thought the seminar was very useful. I've been using some techniques in my daily negotiations ever since. In fact, I thought the information was so valuable that I want to bring the KARRASS seminar In-House for our world-wide conference.”

John Copley,
Manager,
Commodity Purchases,
CORNING

KARRASS Effective Negotiating® Tip

How Do You Respond to a "Take It or Leave It" Demand?
by Dr. Chester L. Karrass

What do you do when the other party gives you a firm but polite “take-it-or-leave-it”?  There are options available.  My advice is to test it hard—their position may not be as firm as it looks.

The best approach to testing a “take-it-or-leave-it” is to change the nature of the deal.  Broaden the project or reduce its size; change the quantities (more – less); modify the quality levels; more or fewer services; extended or shorter delivery periods.

If you are working on a package deal think about modifying the product mix to include new items or spare parts or training.  Mix items that are not “take-it-or-leave-it” with those that are.  Then negotiate the agreement.

In addition, you might want to try any of the following countermeasures to test the firmness of the other person’s “take-it-or-leave- it” position:

1.  Agree that it appears you are at an impasse, and walk out. (Don’t forget to plan your walking back in strategy.)

2.  Protest to higher management. (Be aware that there may be repercussions.)

3.  Ask the other person put their “take-it-or-leave-it” in writing—you want to discuss it with others.

4.  Talk on as though you never heard the “take-it-or-leave-it” demand.

5.  Determine whether or not there are some parts of the deal you can do without (i.e. things you can do for yourself, or get from others) that will reduce the scope of the deal subjected to the “take-it-or-leave-it” demand.

The key to testing “take-it-or-leave-it” is to find a face-saving way by which the other party can retreat from this awkward position.  If you can, the problem has a chance to evaporate.  Most times you’ve got nothing to lose by testing the “take-it-or-leave-it.”  It’s worth a hard try.

P.S. As an Alumnus of the KARRASS Effective Negotiating program, you will receive a tip each month.   We encourage you to set up a file and review the “Tips” frequently in preparation for your next negotiation.  To stay current with Dr. Karrass’ “Tips,” please be sure to send us any change of your e-mail address.

Remember, for as few as 12 people, KARRASS can present a private seminar at your facilities.

Effective Negotiating—the original and most widely attended negotiating program in the world.

Effective Negotiating 2—the follow-on program.

Effective Negotiating In Your Own Organization—internal negotiations.

China Insight Workshop—what to expect when negotiating with Chinese companies.

KARRASS conducts more than 800 public and private seminars every year.  See the KARRASS website for locations and public seminar dates, or ask us about bringing one of our programs into your facility.

For more information, contact:

US Sales at 323-866-3800 or KARRASS Worldwide Sales in the UK at 44 1202 853210

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