Wow, if you want to learn how <i>not</i> to negotiate a deal, this is the story to read!<p>This guy had you right where he wanted the entire time and he knew it. He didn't have to lift a finger or budge an inch. You clearly show your hand(s) way too much (which is clearly in your nature given this blog post, and that's not always a bad thing... although in this case it was).<p>If it was a really large deal, you'd need to be willing to walk and show it. Instead of reading a relatively overrated book that did you absolutely nothing, I'd recommend having someone be the bulldog/enforcer and have no qualms about it.<p>But ultimately, I have a feeling you're going to be so successful in something eventually (if not this!) that this money is meaningless in the grand scheme of things, so it's all cool and maybe you knew that.<p>But man, that was painful to read. Good stuff otherwise and great luck guys!