They’re not dumb.
The system is built that way.
Most companies overpay on purpose.
Not because they mean to — but because they don’t even realize it’s happening.
The statement lands. It’s paid.
No one asks questions.
No one notices the extra 12–30% quietly siphoned off every month.
Why?
Because the vendors designed it that way.
They thrive on confusion.
They bank on apathy.
And if you don’t speak their language? You’re the mark.
Want to know the worst part?
They actually price in your potential resistance.
If you don’t negotiate, you’re covering the discount for someone who did.
They build in room to say “you’re special”
Then smile as you pay more than the last guy.
Here’s what top operators do:
Never sign without a benchmark
Force vendors to walk through every line like they’re pitching it for the first time
Track savings like it’s revenue recovered, not just cost avoided
The real players don’t switch vendors every year.
They just stop getting played.
Now you know.
Use it.
💬 Free Tidbit:
Next time a vendor says “this is our best rate,” respond with:
“What would the rate look like if we brought in volume from a second location?”
It signals leverage without committing and often gets you their real pricing.