How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Better offer

Disciplines > Negotiation > Negotiation tactics > Better offer

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

When the other person makes an offer, say that you have already received a better offer from somebody else.

If they ask what that offer is, then you may or may not choose to tell them. If you do, then you have the opportunity to set a lower limit that the other person knows that they cannot go below.

Example

Sorry, I've already had a better offer that.

I was offered twice that price only last week.

Discussion

A better offer from elsewhere is a walk-away alternative that you can deploy at any time. The other person does not know whether you actually do have a better offer or whether you are bluffing. The problem for them is that if they call your bluff then you might actually have such an offer.

If you actually do have a better offer, you are indeed in a stronger position if you do need to conclude the deal. As a part of developing your walk-away, you would have also better understood the overall situation and built your own confidence -- which alone is worth the effort of looking elsewhere beforehand.