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Comment by stronglikedan | Hacker News Reader

I've had people come out to my house and quote me on a project. I've then called them back and told them that it was out of my budget, to which they've then quoted me a cheaper price, hoping that it's within my budget. I've then told them that they should have given me their best price from the start, and I can no longer trust them, because they've already lied to me once.

This happens more often than not, and I usually eventually find someone to quote me a price within my budget on the first visit. I understand that that is typically how business is done, or more specifically haggling, but I don't want to haggle. Even if it is outside of my budget, I'll postpone the project until I get the money, and then call back whichever vendor didn't budge on price the first time (and had the lowest price, of course).

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Somebody revising a quote doesn't mean they were lying the first time around.

You may not care for negotiation, but that doesn't mean it is dishonest. Items and services don't have a "real" price, they are only worth what people will pay for them.

As I said, I do understand that. However (and I should have noted this in my original comment), I always tell them up front that I don't like to haggle, and would like their best possible price up front. I also tell them that I am comparing it with at least two other vendors (I always get at least three estimates). Therefore, when they do reduce it, they were lying the first time.

I am always very honest with them, and expect the same. Heck, I don't even hesitate to pay them when they screw something up. I pay them promptly, and then hope they will do the right thing.

While items and services don't have a "real" price, they do have a "best" price.

EDIT: I'd also like to add that, while the article focuses on consumer pricing, I am different when it comes to B2B pricing. E.g. I would quote a successful law firm more than a mom-and-pop shop for consulting services. Back when I was an entrepreneur, I actually lost a couple of contracts because my quotes were too low.

"Somebody revising a quote doesn't mean they were lying the first time around. You may not care for negotiation, but that doesn't mean it is dishonest."

There is a divergence in moral values in here, and even if you think someone should accept a certain view on negotiation, it is, however, especially when there is no visible benefit at all for them, their choice to refuse to do so. The commerce has on its core the idea of mutual benefit and this haggling-justling violates the sense of mutual benefit. It is only natural to expect less trust from your "customers" when you've treated them this way.

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