Last Updated on: 21st November 2023, 08:31 pm
Negotiations with suppliers does not mean getting what you want cheap or at a discount. There are other things to sit at a round table and sort out. Payment conditions, delivery times, quality of goods, and so on are requirements that should top the negotiator’s list. Business owners believe all these terms should be met during negotiations.
Here are Factors to Consider In Business When You Have Items to Purchase
- First, Know whether or not the product is essential to your business.
- Be sure of the payment terms and delivery schedules.
- Find out if they have provisions for maintenance or after-sales service.
- Compare the price of the item you plan to buy with the costs of other sellers.
However, negotiation is a discourse to reach an agreement. Talks should be devoid of personal values like emotions, and there is training that will enhance your negotiations skills. The Negotiation Society comes to mind when there is a need to acquire business negotiation skills. Over 20,000 members worldwide have received/receiving their training through webinars and articles from the society. You can’t know it all when it comes to negotiation. It is advisable to have a negotiation team, and each team member must match the supplier agents. Human resource manager should not be sent to negotiate with a supplier that is a general manager. There are firms like the gap partnership, whose job is to negotiate on your behalf if you don’t have the right personnel or skill to do so.
Below are Tips For Negotiating with Suppliers.
- Think Like a Supplier: Suppliers are eager to sell to anyone that is buying in large quantity. Assuring sellers you are ready always to patronise them if they agree at your terms, is one way to settle at an agreement that will favour you. Especially when it comes to cost and quality of goods. It is pertinent also to offer to pay 50-70% upfront, and most suppliers will not let you go when they hear this.
- Mindful of other Gains: Some sellers are honest, they will tell you the exact price, and not ready to succumb. Focus on other gains like, discount that will be given due to quantity you are buying in bulk, amount of down payment, duration of the warranty, and other areas of agreement that can profit both parties.
- Several Suppliers: How about getting quotes from numbers of suppliers then decide on the one that suite the company policy. Be open to the suppliers, and let them know you are still taking quotes from others. It brings competition in prices from the suppliers.
- Ask for Customers: In business, a company is as good as the reviews of the last three clients. The supplier will give you the details of their past clients if they have nothing to hide, and it will further help you to make your decision.
The above points will add to your negotiating skills, try to understand the position of the supplier without being sympathetic or stoop low to agree on decisions that will affect your company. There is room for considerations but stand on your convictions.
