Originally Posted by
Mike Mills
Colonel, it has been my experience in international trade, the real negotiations begin only after the contract has been signed. It seems to be uniquely American to think the deal is "done", cast in cponcrete, once the contract is signed. I think this is particularly true of Asians, even those here in the USA. It's true of Middle Easterners, too. It is true of Europeans, too, however, to a much, much lesser extent. Have you ever noticed that?
Absolutely. In some cultures, everything is negotiable, and many do not respect a buyer or seller who doesn't bargain. It's cultural, not selfishness or miserly, because I've found many of the cultures for whom negotiations are a given also to be the most generous to a neighbor in need.
Then again, at one time, when you made an offer to purchase a home, and it was accepted, that was the end of it. These days, it's just the beginning.......