When a Price Change Needs a Trade-Off

A request for a lower price doesn’t, by itself, tell you what the buyer values most—or what the seller can realistically change. If the conversation stays focused only on the number, both sides may miss other possible terms, such as scope, timing, or support.

How do you explore a price change without turning the negotiation into a one-sided concession? What would you ask each side to clarify about what they need, what they can offer, and what must remain unchanged?