A few days ago, I went to a traditional market to buy two whole premium chicken for my mom.

I went
there in the late afternoon. My target is to spend no more than Rp. 40,000 for a whole premium chicken.
After I looked so many sellers around, I couldn’t find a whole premium chicken price below Rp. 55,000
except for one seller who offered me for Rp. 47,000. Because the price is quite higher than my target,
I negotiated with tactics. I asked “hey, how much the price?”, he said “one chicken is Rp. 47,000, only
two chickens left, all Rp 94.000”, I continued “can you lower the price to Rp 40,000 for one chicken?”
he said “That’s too low, if you buy all the chicken, I’ll give you Rp. 90,000”. Suddenly came another
customer who interrupted our conversation “sir, I’ll buy the chicken for Rp. 47,000, I’ll take two.” Seeing
that person could pay that much, I felt my bargaining position was low. The seller continued “how? If
you don't decide by buying the price of 90,000 for two chickens, I'll give this chicken to another
customer”. There was no other choice, I agreed with the price of Rp. 90,000 for two whole premium
chickens.
Challenge: It was difficult to me to find the interests that would change the seller’s stance. I really matter
the price if he still released the price of Rp 40,000 because at the first my target was Rp. 40,000/chicken.
Also, that's not necessarily still open, because the day already noon. But for me, I was on hurry, the
market was about to close. The damage for cancelling it was far bigger than just paying that. If I didn't
buy that chicken, I will make my mother disappointed. Other than that, there was someone else offer
higher price.
What Worked Well: Although didn’t result in any positive outcome, I tried to explain why my proposition
was reasonable. He only has only two chickens left. He could have sold the chicken to someone else
who offer higher price. But I’m his first customer who already talked to him. I believe he also felt reluctant
if the chicken falls to other consumers. In addition, because our conversation was going well, he still
wanted to reduce the profits he got.
What to Do Differently: Knowing how important a situation is, I can decide to walk as early as possible
because if I delay it, I would seem to need that chicken and would make the seller’s power higher. In
addition, if I stayed too long, many other customers are interested in that price because almost all the
chicken sellers there sell their chickens over Rp. 55,000. Alternatively, it will be better if I can anticipate
by building a good relationship before bargaining with the seller.