Can you counter a counter-offer or a final offer? Most of the time, the answer is yes, you can always counter. In a few cases, the last offer or counter-offer is really the final one. The other party is not going to change course, but in most cases, especially if there really is the will to reach a mutually agreeable deal, the final offer can be countered.

Dr. Chester L. Karrass says that you should not accept the final offer at face value, and suggests you test it.

To test the firmness of the “final” offer you can:

• Determine whether the other party is hedging
• Don’t overreact
• Provide a face-saving way out from the “final” offer
• Consider walking out
• Introduce new alternatives and solutions

Counteroffers are common in real estate and in job searches. In an article from Essortment about home selling counteroffers, the author provides this advice:
• Don’t respond immediately
• Think flexible
• Know your bottom line
Read the article here: http://www.essortment.com/home/homesellingstr_supa.htm

A final offer is often a game of chicken, to see who will be the first one to blink. It takes a good deal of confidence to counter a final offer, but it may be worth it in order to get a deal that is more suitable. However, sometimes a final offer really is final. You will either have to test it or accept it.

How do you counter a final offer?