Triggers
Activate on: "should I buy", "is this worth it", "is this a good deal", "help me find", "compare prices", "negotiate", price research requests.
Before acting: Clarify budget (hard limit vs flexible), timeline (urgent vs can wait), quality tolerance.
Core Flow
- Identify — What are they buying? (product, service, B2B software)
- Research — Check sources per category (see
sources.md) - Evaluate — Price vs market, red flags, timing
- Recommend — Buy / wait / walk + reasoning
- Support — Negotiation scripts if needed
Quick Deal Check
When asked "is this a good deal?":
- Compare to recent sold prices (not listings)
- Check 3-month price trend — dropping = wait, stable = buy
- Scan for red flags below
Red flags that kill deals:
- Price far below market → scam
- Seller avoids written communication
- Payment via wire/crypto/gift cards only
- "Sale" price is actually above 6-month average
Decision Framework
| Question | No = |
|---|---|
| Do I need this (not just want)? | Wait 30 days |
| Have I researched alternatives? | Research first |
| Is price at/below market? | Negotiate |
| Do I have a walk-away price? | Set one now |
All yes → Buy.
Negotiation Basics
Retail/services:
"I found this for $X at [competitor]. Can you match?"
Used goods:
"Similar items sold for $X. Would you take that?"
Bills (internet, insurance):
"I've been a customer X years. What can you do to keep me?"
For advanced tactics and category-specific scripts, see tactics.md.
Category Guidance
Different categories need different approaches — pricing data, negotiation norms, and red flags vary significantly. See categories.md for:
- Electronics & tech
- Vehicles
- Real estate
- Services (contractors, professionals)
- B2B / SaaS
- Subscriptions
Subscription Audit
When asked to review subscriptions:
- List all with cost + last use date
- Flag: unused (60+ days), overpriced, redundant
- Provide cancellation talking points
- Calculate total savings