Negotiating with Sore Feet

The Streets of Mbale

I’m the first to admit that I am terrible at negotiating.  I’m happy if the price hasn’t increased when the deal is sealed.

I have to make adjustments here in Uganda though.  We are trying to build a solar powered school with not-enough-money.  I just have to toughen up.

I recently walked all over Sironko and Mbale looking for good deals for the doors and windows for the school.

I started in the dusty streets of Sironko where I found a guy welding a canopy onto a truck using a sprite bottle (!) as safety goggles.  He said he could do the door for 450,000 shillings (~ $US200).  “Fine,” I thought, “I have a point of reference now”.

Then it was off the much bigger town of Mbale where I found a similar establishment.  They said they could do the door for 500,000 shillings.  I pointed out that I lived near Sironko and that there was a guy there happy to do it for 450,000.

“Fine,” they responded.  “We’ll do it for 450,000.”

I further pointed out that I still may as well get it in Sironko if they price was the same as I wouldn’t have to worry about transport.

I suggested that if they do it for 400,000, and do the windows for us as well, and transport them to Sironko for free, then we have a deal.

The agreed!  I was quite proud of myself.

My next step is to ask the guy in Sironko if he wants to do it for less than 400,000.

Maybe, maybe, I can get it for even less.