What I learned about Negotiating Buying Food in Ibadan.

I am currently completing NYSC service in Ibadan and I must tell you that watching the small business owners in the market has been an excursion in entrepreneurial training. One of the things that I notice in Ibadan market is that the traders are proud of their products. As a result, when negotiating, they are unafraid to say 'No' when they terms are unfavourable. Granted, as a buyer, there are many times I have been frustrated by their inability to see "reason". However, as an entrepreneur reflecting on their behaviour makes me realise that they are on to something that I perhaps missed in my previous stint as a business owner.

Five Things I Learned About Negotiating:

• Be clear on the value of your products. If you are certain on the value of your product, you are less likely to undersell. Every mango seller will tell you how rare the mango from their corner of the village is. They will tell you cannot go buy it yourself. They are right because the convenience of it being in front of you is part of the value they are selling.
• Don't assume that as the seller you are at a disadvantage in the transaction. As much as the buyer is providing you money, you are also providing them with value in return. Business is a two way value street. Exercise your right in each transaction.
• Be proud of your business. In Ibadan, no matter how small the pepper seller's stall, she will still speak like she is the only pepper seller in the market. I can't count the number of times I was told that I won't get such a deal elsewhere.
• Just because everyone knows your product has a short shelf-life does not mean you should give it away for free. I remember one time I tried to scare the vegetable seller by telling him his vegetables would rot at night. He was unfazed and insisted on selling at a higher price than I named. 
• There is nothing wrong with haggling over price on principle and then still gifting your customer with a bonus. I can't tell you the number of times I got an extra slice of meat or an orange after haggling and being told they won't sell at a lower price. They established their price and soothed my anger by giving me a freebie.