International Baccalaureate (IB) Practice Exam

Being married (or emotionally attached) to a purchase will cause you to lose bargaining power. True or False?

1. True

2. False

3. Only if the purchase is large.

4. Only if the seller is aware of the attachment.

The correct answer is: True

Being married or emotionally attached to a purchase does indeed lead to a loss of bargaining power. When a buyer has strong feelings or attachment towards an item they wish to purchase, it can cloud their judgment and affect their ability to negotiate effectively. This attachment may lead the buyer to focus more on their emotional connection rather than the practicality or value of the purchase. As a result, they may be less willing to walk away from a deal or push for a better price, which diminishes their leverage in the bargaining process. Additionally, an emotional attachment can cause buyers to overlook potential alternatives or less expensive options. Since the attachment can create an urgency to acquire the item, the buyer may be willing to accept a less favorable deal just to secure the purchase. Thus, emotional investment in a purchase detracts from a buyer’s negotiation strategy, demonstrating that this statement is indeed true.