They had a more glamorous name for this powerful strategy, I simply call it price shock!  And it is one of my best techniques to use as well as to talk about.  Right now, everyone seems to be SHOCKED at everything!  I am sure that every time you give someone a price increase you know it's coming.

The best story I have ever heard about price shock is from a buyer who claimed he could get a sales person to lower their price without saying a word.  He said he was able to perfect his “price shock” strategy by practicing on his way to work every morning.

What exactly is "price shock?" It is a simple facial expression that says, "Your price is high!" Well-trained buyers are taught to use this strategy with exact precision. 

When a buyer or customer is looking at your initial price they are taught to wrinkle their forehead as if to say "you are much higher than I expected!"   This is designed to immediately put you, the presenter, on the defensive.  The sad part is, it works most of the time.   Even if you have a close relationship with the buyer, you may misread it as a sign that you should lower your price to get, or keep, the business.

Work on your own price shock until you can perfect it.  Every time you buy something act surprised at the price.  Watch closely how the seller reacts.  If you are buying a new house, tell the realtor you are shocked by the price.  When you are in the market for a new car, try it on the car sales person.  When you buy a new TV, tell the clerk you are shocked at how much the price is. 

To become an expert at how effective price shock is you should practice your own unique style for acting surprised every time a price in presented to you.  Whenever you are given a price on anything, act surprised – watch carefully how they respond.  Simply say “the price is too high”, or “I am sure this is a nice hotel, however, your price is high”, or “I was thinking about buying a new boat, however, your price is too high!”

Here's a great example.  A large horse trailer dealership in Dallas was setting up a meeting for all their sales and management people and needed to book a large block of hotel rooms.  This was right after they attended my seminar and they decided to give it a try.  He called me and said the results were amazing.  The savings was $2,500.  Not bad for a little theatrics.

Do I use this strategy – absolutely – I use it every time I am presented with a price!   I stay in many hotels during the course of a year.  Does price shock save me money?  One hundred hotel rooms x $10 average savings = $1,000 per year!  And right now one thousand dollars is a good thing.

What about when someone is shocked at YOUR PRICE? What should your reaction be?  There are five responses you can use to counter this powerful strategy:

1.  You can be weak, give in, and lower your price.  They won.  This is what most buyers and customers expect, especially from an amateur sales person. 

2.  You can be shocked at their shock.  This is designed to neutralize the strategy.  The customer is shocked at your price; you are shocked at their shock.  Seems a little strange to use at first, until you see how well it works.  This throws the shock right back at the buyer and you have now put the buyer on the defensive. Then stay silent.  Do not provide an explanation.  It is the buyer's turn to make the next move!  This is so effective you will have a hard time keeping a straight face.  Role play this and get it down to a science.

3.  You can use the "Feel, Felt, Found" reply.  Here is how it works:  "I understand why you feel that way, everyone I talked to so far today felt the same way, until they found out that the market has gone up since last week.”

4.  You can justify your price rather that discount it.  This is an extension of number three.  "I understand why you might feel that way, everyone I talked to today felt the same way, until they found out what is included in that price.”  And then begin to list the additional benefits that are included, which makes the price seem smaller and smaller.

5. Fork in the road.  There is a response called a "fork in the road" that sometimes works on price shock:

"Our company came to a fork in the road and had to make a choice on whether to be a low cost, no service, no frills type of company, or to be one that provides services, follow up and extra benefits. We chose the latter. One other thing to consider Mr. Prospect, you get me. I go with the deal - and if you don't think I can make a difference - try me."