There are certain situations in life when negotiating does not make any sense and it is better to avoid negotiation completely. Some of these situations are:
Lack of Research
Sometimes it is better avoiding negotiation when you have done any research on the issue at hand. It means people are ill-prepared for the negotiation process and entering a negotiation without information can cause serious damage. It is possible that people might end up accepting an offer that is way below the standard. Therefore, before starting a negotiation process it is important that complete research is done and all information is collected related to the task at hand. Proper research leaves you in a stronger position while starting negotiation (Bruce, 2013).
Locus of Authority
There are situations when people are dealing with a person that does not have the authority to negotiate. Any negotiation in this type of situation needs to be avoided as there is no benefit of negotiating with a person that cannot ensure the agreement is passed. Therefore, when dealing with a person who cannot make the decision, it is in the best interest to avoid starting any negotiation. Any deal consummated with such a person is rarely ratified and you end up getting a much worse deal that the deal originally agreed (Bruce, 2013).
Unethical Demand
There are some situations when for short term gain people are faced with unethical demands from the party on the other side of the transaction. In such situations, it is better to avoid negotiation as unethical demands tend to be negative in the long term. Unethical demands such as bribes, costs people in terms of their reputation and negotiation needs to be avoided. When the other party bargains in bad faith, it is wise to avoid getting involved in unethical tactics (Bruce, 2013).
Waiting is Better Option
Another situation when negotiation needs to be avoided is when waiting is an option and can be used as a negotiating tool. There are situations when a meeting does not lead to suitable agreement. In these situations, the best solution is to wait for the other party to sweeten the offer. Waiting can work out to be an effective tool as the other party can give up and offer better terms (Chaudhry, 2014).
Lack of Time
Another situation when negotiation needs to be avoided is when there is a lack of time. Negotiation can be done successfully when a significant amount of time is available. Lack of time can hinder the ability to negotiate and people can be forced to accept the offer available. Time gives people an advantage of searching for other options and getting other offers to start a bidding war between suitors (Chaudhry, 2014).
Already Accepted
It is unethical to attempt negotiation when you have already accepted the previous offer.
This situation creates a negative image in the mind of the other party as they feel that you are reneging from the deal. Such situations should be avoided by never accepted an offer, rather it is best to thank the other party for the offer and ask for time (Bruce, 2013).
Conclusion
Negotiation is an important part of business and daily life and people tend to negotiate often. There are some situations when you should completely avoid negotiation such as lack of research, locus of authority, unethical demand, waiting is a better option, lack of time, and offer already accepted. In these situations it is better to a avoid negotiation as it would yield acceptable results.
References
Bruce., S. (2013, 10 July). When You Should NOT Negotiate and Other Expert Tips. Retrieved 7 July 2016 from, http://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2013/07/10/when-you-should-not-negotiate-and-other-expert-tips/
Chaudhry., K.I. (2014, 9 April). When You Shouldn’t Negotiate. Retrieved 7 July 2016 from, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140409050706-18206178-when-you-shouldn-t-negotiate
