Psychology of the sale...
I'm wondering what tips or tricks people have developed to get the "better deal" while shopping...
Now, I know your all thinking about electronic stores and car dealerships - both very prone to using psychology in salesmanship - but simple psychology can be found and utilized, even when dining out at your favorite restaurant.
The next time your out, try the following - print off a few charts and surveys - it doesn't really matter what the content of them is, and bring them with you the next time your out dining. Every once in a while, throughout the meal (while your server is somewhere in sight), take out your papers and make a few check-marks or write a couple of points down. If you have a digital camera, it's a good idea to pull it out and take a picture of your plate when it's served to you - this sort of "secures the deal".
If all goes according to plan, you'll be deemed a "secret-shopper" (a person being paid to rate the restaurant's service), or perhaps a journalist, of sorts, doing a review of the establishment. This is when you'll notice a sharp increase in the level of attention and good service.
Is this a shady practice? Perhaps. Do you deserve the absolute best service for your money? Certainly. :)
Your turn: What advice can you give to get the most out of the All Mighty Loonie? How do you handle pushy sales-people? Most of them have some sort of recipe for success, to get the most money possible from you - Surely, a few Smart Canucks would have some tricks up their sleeves to turn these situations around.
