oEnsure that the person with whom you are negotiating has the power to give you what you want.
You can spend months negotiating a deal, only to find that the person has no power to help you.
(Yes, it happens!) The person you need to speak with doesn't answer phones for the company.
In fact, he or she probably doesn't even manage the people who answer phones! The people who can help you are too important for that and are usually found in the corporate offices of the creditor.
As you make your way past the many people you'll talk with in trying to find the right person, remember to be nice.
You will want to pull your hair out at times, but stay calm and be persistent.
oThere are no hard-and-fast rules on whether to use logic or appeal to emotions when negotiating.
Usually you'll use a mix of both, but the situational approach is best-that is, using a tactic that's in direct relation to the personality and demeanor of the other party.
This is another area where listening can be very helpful.
And if you have begun legal action against a creditor as a pro se plaintiff (representing yourself), that's when you will likely change tactics-negotiating from a position of strength.
oMake it clear that you are at fault and you are willing to take responsibility for what happened.
Never forget this and make it plain in your negotiations.
Explain this repeatedly and mean it! Even if your spouse ruined your credit, you married him or her, right? Sorry if this sounds harsh, but that's reality.
Bad things happen, but it's up to you to make things right.
oAn ounce of perseverance is worth a pound of talent.
You're going to hear it over and over: "You can't, you can't, you can't; that's not possible; no, won't happen; you can't.
" Nonsense.
Forget about the naysayers.
There will be many obstacles, but be persistent in your negotiations.
Focus and you will prevail! oBe nonchalant but not indifferent.
Yes, it's important to you to get your credit fixed, but don't get too exited or you'll make the person you are talking with nervous.
You'll also tip your hand.
Being nonchalant is the cornerstone of most negotiating.
However, when dealing with creditors always show that you're concerned and you care, using tempered emotion.
It's a balancing act.
oEvery person is different, and tactics must be changed accordingly.
Perceptions run the gamut, and this is where listening will enable you to understand the other party and modify your methods accordingly.
oDon't get greedy.
The quickest way to turn off the other party is to get greedy.
oEverything is negotiable.
This, of course, assumes that the person you're negotiating with is reasonable.