Let me
share with you a personal approach we call "The Entrepreneur
Test". Whenever my wife and I make a large purchase, for instance,
a car, we take the time to read the entire contract, one line
at a time.
We are
not moved by the sales person impatient squirming gestures
to close the deal. Regardless of what the sales person says,
we will not sign unless everyone of our questions are fully
answered. We pay attention to details, not the beat of a high
pressured sales person.
After
an hour of reading, we take another hour asking questions
like "explain this point"....are you getting the picture?
Do not be afraid to ask questions. If you get a response such
as, "Do not worry, that just standard item on the contract",
asked them to explain the standards. Ask, Ask, Ask.
Use open
ended questions like: "Tell me about the warranty" or "Could
your explain what this word means". Remember, after you walk
out the door, that sales person is not obligated to paid the
bill, you are. Again, ask every question you can come up with.
Lastly,
get everything in writing to protect yourself. It is not uncommon
for someone to come back and say "I did not agree to that".
Remember, success is achieved through details
We use
the same technique with our attorney, financial advisor, children's
private school...before we sign the dotted line, we ask questions.
You must protect your money. |
