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by eru 4763 days ago
Actually, you always want to provide your own numbers first. That's what they call `controlling the document' in the legal profession, and `anchoring' in Psychology.
1 comments

It's more common advice to never name the first price.

I'm no expert negotiator but personally I think this depends on the situation. In more than one case I've underestimated my worth and received more than I would have though I could get away with asking for. Once they name their price, I know it's their lower bound, so I'm comfortable asking for even more.

I think negotiating a salary has different dynamics than negotiating a sale. For a sale, I would probably agree with the anchoring tactic.

> It's more common advice to never name the first price.

Yes. But that doesn't make it useful. I recommend e.g. reading http://diplom.org/Zine/F1997R/Windsor/lawdip.html

> In more than one case I've underestimated my worth and received more than I would have though I could get away with asking for.

Of course the other rule is: Know what you can get away with.