Many people hate negotiating but a few simple negotiation tactics can make it rewarding and fun!

Get a better deal on your purchases or even negotiate a better pay deal, if you try to negotiate a better deal then you may well save yourself some money and be better off, and if it doesn't work then at least you are no worse off, just give it a try and see whether your negotiating skills make a difference.

The steps that I will outline on this hub will mainly relate to employing negotiation tactics when making purchases, but the overall ideas for negotiation skills can be applied in almost any situation, whether it be more pay, better conditions etc.

To get the best deals it is important to do your research in advance.

If you are looking for consumer goods, first make a comparison of prices and features of the available products. Consult the online comparison tools like kelkoo and dealtime etc.

If you want to negotiate a pay increase, find out what other people in your profession are making, and if you want to buy a pedigree puppy find out what price the breed is selling for generally.

Armed with that knowledge you can embark on your negotiation process.

Know what the item is worth to you and set an upper limit on what you are willing to spend.

Its easy during negotiations for things to shift. A salesperson may quite happily offer you a price reduction on one item as long as you buy something else. But you need to keep your needs and your goal well defined and stick to your limit! This rule can also apply when you negotiate pay as securing an increase in pay might also result in an increase in duties, hours and responsibility.

Nobody wants to deal with a grumpy sourpuss! You are more likely to get a result if you are clear and direct.

This applies in a work environment as well as a sales environment. People will deal with you more openly if you are able to state your position clearly. If you are negotiating pay be clear on why you deserve the increase.

Price negotiation requires the seller to believe that you are perfectly willing to walk away.

To be convincing at this you must indeed be willing to walk! Try this out with small purchases and you will see that it is true!

Remember that most consumer goods, even major purchases like cars are not rare or hard to find so don't be swayed by any of these claims.

I got a great discount on my last new car by knowing my upper limit spend and stating this from the outset. Initially I was looking at second hand cars on the forecourt because that seemed to be what I could afford but with negotiating, refusing to shift on price and beginning to walk away I got a better deal on a brand new car than I would have on a second hand one. So believe me, it can work.

Try to make the seller (or your boss) want to say yes. Most people would much rather be deal makers and problem solvers. Salespeople need to sell and your boss wants productive and loyal employees. You have a 'problem' and want their help. They are the decision makers and you will have a great deal of respect for them if they can help solve your 'problem'.