Lesson 2: Negotiating
Is 45 soles your last offer?

I can negotiate prices.

INTRODUCE

Everyone wants the best deal! Negotiating can help you convince a seller to give you a better offer.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

I. Go over the expressions with your tutor.  

    1. To rip someone off means to make someone pay too much for something.

     

    I think the salesperson ripped me off!

     

     

    2. The best someone can do is the maximum amount that a buyer can pay or the minimum amount that a seller can take.

     

    Is 300 dollars the best you can do?

     

     

    3. A buyer or seller won’t negotiate anymore after his/her last offer.

     

    Is five dollars your last offer?

     

    II. Which of the expressions above have you used before?

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When a word that ends with /t/ comes before a word that starts with /y/, the /t/ and /y/ often combine to form the /ch/ sound.
Phrase Example

the best you

/ the bes-chu /

Is 300 dollars / the bes-chu / can do?

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Charlie is looking for souvenirs at a flea market in Lima, Peru.

Charlie:

Sixty soles for this wooden flute? Wow, why is it so expensive?

Seller:

Our flutes are made from special wood. I can give that one to you for 50 soles.

Charlie:

Hm… Is that the best you can do? I’ve been to three other places, and they all offered me better prices.

Seller:

All right, I’ll give you a good deal. Forty-five soles and it’s yours.

Charlie:

I think you’re ripping me off here. Is 45 soles your last offer?

Seller:

Okay, I’ll give it to you for 35 soles, but that’s the lowest I can go.

Charlie:

You’ve got a deal. I’ll take it.

TRIVIA

In Japan, many people say price down (プライスダウン), but this phrase is actually Japanese English. Native speakers use the noun discount or verb phrase lower the price instead.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Put the sentences in order. Be sure to switch between the shopper’s comments and the clerk’s replies.

_____ Is that your last offer?

 

_____ Is 20 dollars the best you can do?

 

__1__ You want 25 dollars for these shoes? That’s too high. How about 15 dollars?

_____ Yes, I can’t go any cheaper than 17 dollars.

 

__2__ No, sorry, that’s too low. How about 20 dollars?

 

_____ Well, I guess I could do 17 dollars. These are good quality shoes. I’m not ripping you off!

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the conversation using the expressions in the box. The form of the expressions may need to be changed.

the best someone can do
someone’s last offer
rip someone off
Tutor:

That one’s 500 dollars.

Student:

Five-hundred dollars for a secondhand camera? I feel like you’re trying to _____.

Tutor:

Not at all! This is a high-quality camera, and it’s in excellent condition.

Student:

Yeah, but I can buy a brand new camera for 400 dollars. Is that really _____?

Tutor:

I could probably do 350 dollars.

Student:

That’s still too much for me… Is 350 dollars _____?

Tutor:

Okay, okay, 320 dollars. What do you say?

Student:

You’ve got a deal!

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You took a taxi from the airport to your hotel overseas. You think the taxi driver is asking for too much money. Negotiate your fare with the driver.

Today's Expressions

  • rip someone off
  • the best someone can do
  • someone’s last offer

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

NEGOTIATING PRICES
2

BEING OVERCHARGED
3

GETTING A GOOD DEAL
1

NEGOTIATING PRICES

  1. Have you ever negotiated prices before?
  2. Do you think you’re good at negotiating prices?
  3. When negotiating prices, how much should you offer at first (ex. a lot lower than you want to pay, a little lower than you want to pay)?
  4. Is negotiating a good skill to have?

2BEING OVERCHARGED

  1. When was the last time you were overcharged? What happened?
  2. What do you usually do when you realize you were overcharged?
  3. How can you make sure that you aren’t overcharged?
  4. What are some common excuses that people give for overcharging?

3GETTING A GOOD DEAL

  1. Do you care about always getting a good deal?
  2. Are you willing to go to many different stores to get the best deal?
  3. When do stores in Japan usually offer good deals (ex. end of the year, end of the season)?
  4. What kind of stores normally offer good deals?

FEEDBACK

I can negotiate prices.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK