[solarkraft]

> you offer an absurdly high MSRP then offer discounts

Which is amazing. It's probably a lack of experience in B2B, but I tend to see prices as "take it or leave it", so if I see an absurly high price I go "Aight, that's a no", instead of trying to haggle.

It's just so inefficient having to haggle with every vendor to get real prices for a comparison.

Is the sales process anything else than just a huge money sink?

[pickle-wizard]

In the B2B world, nobody pays list. I've seen some incredible discounts off list price, especially when buying in quantity.

One time I was buying some software licenses. List price was $30/seat. We needed 2000 seats. Which would list at $60K. By the time it was all said and done I ended up with 3000 seats for $10K.

[tomjen3]

I don't think it is unreasonable to purchase 4 or 10 seats at cost, but if you are considering buying 2 thousands, wouldn't you try to negotiate something?

[xfitm3]

We have someone full time who negotiates with vendors. Vendors are squeezed every renewal. This person handles redlines, etc. A underrated position if you ask me.