Working to define the terms and conditions of a transaction through discussion is the classic definition of bargaining.   Typically you are working for your own benefit.

When the results are in our favor we typically call this a bargain.  The implication is a bargain is a result of negotiating favorable terms.

Winners and Losers

Logically, for any given transaction, if one person got a bargain, the other did not.  Of course both can percieve, from a subjective perspective, the transaction was in their favor.

The will occur when the participating parties have different priorities.  For example in a sale transaction if one party has price as a priority and the other timeliness both aspects could be satisfied and everyone feels they got a bargain.

Unfortunately this win/win scenario is not always possible and some times the bargain sessions and associated results or failure to achieve results at all can leave one or even both parties dissapointed.

Personally, when bargaining, I often find seeking a bargain that works well for everyone leads to the best results.  That is not just thinking about your priorities but giving the other parties some thought as well.

If I can’t win, I don’t want to play

Of course, seeking a solution beneficial to all is not a one way street and although it is a great perspective, I have found it is not always feasible.  

However, sometimes a party to the bargain is ruthlessly self centered and in those cases seeking a solution that works best for you can become the only viable option.