Negotiating

Negotiating language

During a negotiation, you're likely to hear "if" sentences, as the negotiation moves from the stage of exploring issues to the stage of making a deal.

If you increased the order size, we could / would reduce the price. (2nd conditional - exploring the issue) So, we'll reduce the price by 5% if you increase the order by 5%. (1st conditional - making a deal)

You might also hear "unless" (=if not), "as long as", otherwise and "provided (that)" instead of if:

As long as you increase your order, we can give you a greater discount. unless you increase your order, we won't be able to give you a bigger discount. provided you increase your order, we can give you a bigger discount.

Negotiating phrases

1. Could we begin now please?
2. OK, lets get started, shall we?
3. What do you have in mind?
4. How would you feel about a bigger discount?
5. If you order more, we'll give you a discount.
6. We'd be prepared to offer you a better price if you increased your order.
7. When you say that there are delivery problems, what do you mean exactly?
8. I'm sorry, we can't accept that.
9. I'm not sure about that.
10. I think we can agree to that.
11. That sounds reasonable
12. I'd like to think about that
13. I'm sorry, but I'll have to consult my colleugues about that.
14. That's it then. I think we have covered everything.
15. It seems like we have a deal.