So, I deal with a bunch of predictable idiots, they are pretty easy to read and just as easy to apply countering tactics to. Basically, you apply a loose concept of game theory and predict moves, you have already generated your counter moves, so you know your next move based on their previous move. It really is not that difficult, they are that easy t read, they are one dimensional and static. 

They are fun to negotiate with, their default answer is NO, their default move is blocking and obstruction, and their base strategy is to combine these strategies so people get fed up and ultimately give up in despair. So I document the entire chain of events, I not only save emails, I scan and save in pdf format in event grouped files. This is important for later, you need to recall these important communication for later – you always need this back-up. 

Naturally, I don’t give up, now I can make these old arguments disappear for a while, they believe their strategies have been successful, then I can make these issues reappear at opportunistic times, they are exasperated., But if they are stupid enough to not resolve the issues when they occur, then they deserve to continually revisit these problems. It really isn’t  that hard, it shouldn’t be this way, but it is.