Wednesday :: 10 March 2010 :: 11:48 AM
290 days to Christmas!
Negotiating Bargains At Department Stores
While shopping one day with my new bride (this was a long time ago!), we were looking at an item in a major department store. It was a furniture item. The price was already marked down and I had the feeling it was destined for close-out. I told my wife that I was going to negotiate a better price. At once she informed me that we were in a major department store and all their prices are clearly marked. So I had to explain to her that I did not want to pay this price and I was certain if I talked with a manager, we would be able to knock another ten to fifteen percent off.
I found a clerk and asked if she had the authority to negotiate a different price on this item. She said she did not but that she would find the manager. My wife was very apologetic (she hates confrontation) but the clerk assured her this was no problem at all!
When the manager arrived I politely stated my intention to purchase this product but the price was an obstacle and asked if a reduction of twenty percent would be agreeable to him. He retorted that this item was destined for close-out and that twenty percent would be just fine.
My wife learned a good lesson that day. It's been almost twenty-four years since then and tonite we were once again in a major department store. We were looking at foosball tables (we had one once). These were very nice tables for $300.00. Remembering our old table, my wife asked, "Didn't you pay $500 for our last one?"
"No, Babe," I replied. "They were $200 tables marked down to $150 -- and we bought ours for $99. Remember, that was a major department store!"
Random Humor: Scandinavian Logic
Did you hear about the Swedish bookkeeper who absconded with the Accounts Payable?