Yeah, that is a puzzler. According to Adam Grant, those who are intelligent negotiators don't necessarily get better short-term results for themselves, but their business partners do better, maybe because smart negotiators value the win-win for the long-term relationship.

How this other guy was so bad that it made him look smart? Wow, head scratcher. Maybe he thought "Now HERE is a good negotiator, after all my BS he raises the price". Haha.