What if I negotiate a lower price? 48.3 > 29

[killing moon]

Good evening, everyone!

My husband and I have been wanting to move and a wonderful house appeared through the recommendation of a friend.

This house is more spacious and pleasant than the one we currently live in, and it's got all the things we were looking for.

The problem is that the monthly rent is a bit higher than what we are now paying. Not much higher. Just a little over 10%. Since the new house uses solar energy and our current house doesn't, the living costs might just even out.

I was, however, set on paying less for my new home. I secretly hoped to find a place to live that cost 25%, 30% less than we what I currently pay.

It's not a necessity. We're not doing terribly. Maybe I'm being cheap?

It's just that 1) we're earning less than we did earlier in the year; 2) we're saving to purchase a home; 3) we're freelancers, so our income isn't fixed or stable (although: we have managed to earn more than we spend each month.)

I considered asking the house owner whether he could give me a discount of 11%. But I hesitate - I don't want to seem rude or disrespectful. Or worse: I don't want to be stingy. Surely operating under a scarcity mindset isn't the way of the noble man?

So I asked the I Ching, what if I ask the house owner to pay 11% less?

I got 48.3.

Is the I Ching telling me that I should cultivate an "abundance mindset" and relax, because I am and will be perfectly able to pay what the landlord is charging?

Or is it directly answering about the outcome of an action (asking for a discount) and saying that, although he could, the house owner will not allow me to pay less? Because, you know, he could drink from the well but he doesn't?

Either way, I think what I take from this reading is that I shouldn't try to negotiate a better price. I'd love to hear your interpretations, though, if you feel inclined to share your thoughts.

(My main reason for posting this is to learn from you. I'm trying to get better at interpreting the I Ching and it would help to know if I'm on the right track. I really appreciate your feedback. Thank you very much.)

 

[diamanda]

I considered asking the house owner whether he could give me a discount of 11%. But I hesitate - I don't want to seem rude or disrespectful. Or worse: I don't want to be stingy. Surely operating under a scarcity mindset isn't the way of the noble man?

So I asked the I Ching, what if I ask the house owner to pay 11% less?

I got 48.3 > 29

The line says that someone in this story is not clear-minded. If they were, there would be good fortune for both parties. In my humble opinion, you're not approaching this negotiation with the appropriate frame of mind.

Unfortunately scarcity and economy collapse are sad realities of the world at large at the moment. Renting is a business, and negotiating is an integral part of business in general. If you act out a business negotiation with a mindset of "am I rude/disprespectful/stingy?" then you're most probably setting up yourself for a failed negotiation. Perhaps it would be more useful to base your decision on how popular this house is, how easily the landlord could quickly give it to someone else, how easily you could find something else if he says no, etc. Weigh the facts and if they're in your favour then go for it.