There are multiple lessons to learn from this little debacle of a story. However, trust but verify seems to be the best summation. We have to assume a lot in business. There are levels of acceptance and expectance both from vendors and customers. While those base metrics can be helpful, they are not always guaranteed.

Logically Skeptical - Trust But Verify

The challenge with some of the rules mentioned above of thumb is that they can be used against us. The effect is not much different from other forms of "surprise" negotiation tactics. These are the attempts to get us on our heels just when we think we made it across the finish line. We have pointed to protective measures against such tactics by setting hard limits in your mind before you step into those situations. However, you can let down your guard once you think you have won or finished the negotiation. Just be sure you do not let your desire to be done override those limits you may have set earlier.

The Lesson Learned

This example was one where the mistake was almost more on their end than mine. I had a set limit and had come to an agreement. That made it easy for me to "stick to my guns" and not allow the numbers to change. However, it did end up being a situation where no one "won" because I had to go back to the start of finding a vendor I could use. I was fortunate that it worked out without any significant setbacks. If I had held a backup plan in my back pocket, it would have been safer. Fortunately, I did not suffer consequences from this particular oversight.

If you like this season, you will probably like Scott Adams' book, "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life."

Trust But Verify - Avoid Business Assumptions