Bartering strategies – why barter? As someone who’s prepping for a variety of disaster scenarios, I can tell you that having the ability to exchange goods and services is a crucial skill to have.
As a homesteader, I’m sure you probably thought or even experimented with the idea of giving away some of your supplies in exchange for others, such as eggs and milk in exchange for honey. My grandparents used to do it when I was a kid and spent my summers with them. The smaller the village, the less likely for the villagers to care about money. In exchange, they preferred to do it this a little differently and… it worked.
If you’ll allow me, I’ll reveal to you a few quick bartering and negotiation strategies you can start using today, without having to wait for the Apocalypse. Now, if you’ve done this before, chances are you’ve gotten the short end of the stick and didn’t even realize it. Besides, in a post-collapse world, these negotiation tactics, without sounding too dramatic, might make the difference between life and death.
So let’s see what they are!
5 Quick Bartering Strategies to Land a Better Deal
#1. It’s ok to be a little greedy. Ask for more.
I’m willing to bet there’ve been plenty of times in your life when you thought you got a fair deal when, in fact, the other party got a fantastic deal. They didn’t show it, of course, because they didn’t want you to figure it out, but here’s the thing…
If you have a good heart, you’re most likely agreeing with all sorts of deals. Maybe you’re embarrassed to ask for more, maybe you don’t think you deserve more, maybe you just really want to see the other guy happy.
It’s ok to be a little greedy, to ask for more than you’d normally would for whatever you’re selling or bartering with… or to offer less for something you need. Ultimately, the real value of the exchange is determined by both parties and you are one of them.
#2. Focus on the benefits.
This is one of the “secrets” to selling, if you will, one that every professional seller knows about. It’s not the features that get someone to want something, it’s the benefits and how the product makes them feel.
For example, if you’re looking to barter some first aid supplies for some tools, the fact that you give them 50 or 60 bandages is not that important. What matters is that the other guy will be able to take care of bruises, stings and blisters for months to come, to take better care of his family. When you put it to him that way, he’ll be more likely to accept the deal on your terms, whether you give him 50 bandages or 60.
#3. Offer them a bonus.
Offering a small gift might be the thing to seal the deal. If you’re smart, you’ll make sure you don’t really need the bonus you’re about to offer. Even better, make sure you bring several bonuses with you because you never know which one might get the other party’s attention.
One last thing: be prepared to offer all of them. Whether that’s something worthwhile to you is something you need to think about before you leave the house for the meeting. Otherwise, he might take you by surprise when asking for everything, you’ll say “yes” in the heat of the moment and then feel bad about it.
What makes a great bonus during a negotiation? One thing: it should complement the main product in some way, maybe enhance it.
So, if you’re trading, say, veggies for tools, you might offer a vegetable peeler as a bonus. Even if they don’t need it, they might still appreciate the gesture and agree to the deal because of this little plastic thing you can get on Amazon for 8 bucks.
#4. Be relaxed and make jokes.
The other guy will borrow your state of mind. If you’re closed and frustrated, he’ll be closed and frustrated. If you’re open, smiling and making jokes, he’s gonna be a lot more receptive.
This might be hard if you’re not used to it but practice makes perfect. And the sooner you begin practicing, the sooner you’ll get to a point when you’ll hardly wait for your next deal.
#5. Act as if the trade is a sure thing.
No, you don’t have to act as a sleazy salesman. If you truly believe your deal is good, you’ll naturally behave as if it’s going to happen. Even if it doesn’t, that won’t affect you because you just know you’ll find someone else.
Final Word
I truly hope you didn’t just like my suggestions but that you’re also going to implement them. Go to the flea market or start bartering with products from your garden and notice your skill improve over time.
Bio
Dan Sullivan is committed to one thing: stellar survival and preparedness content. That’s why he and his team of writers is rocking it over at www.SurvivalSullivan.com, and he wouldn’t mind if he dropped by. Better yet, like his Facebook page to stay up to date with new articles.