Working within the op shop just lately, I used to be reminded of the well-known haggling scene in Monty Python’s The Life of Brian. Brian buys a false beard for 20 shekels (it’s an extended story) however the service provider, performed by Eric Idle, insists he comply with haggling protocol. When Brian halves his provide, Eric’s appeased: “That’s more like it. Ten?! Are you trying to insult me?! Me, with a poor dying grandmother?! Ten?!”
Like the Idle character, I really like a very good haggle – so long as each events are up for it and know the principles. It’s one of many uncommon instances in life the place we’re actively engaged in a little bit of improv theatre. It will be enjoyable and satisfying. But there are situations. You’ve obtained to know the place to haggle and find out how to do it – properly. Op outlets needs to be haggle-free zones (with uncommon exceptions).
Incredibly, many individuals insist on negotiating in op outlets. Incredible not simply because there are indicators asking them to not, and that costs, a minimum of in our shop, are already very low – Pierre Cardin clothes for 15 bucks and all that. But wonderful as a result of hagglers know this isn’t the Grand Bazaar of Turkey. It’s a charity retailer and wouldn’t that make you need to act heat and fuzzy, just a bit bit?
Beauty blogger Anna Denson from Glam concurs: “Unless you’re incredibly bold, you probably wouldn’t haggle at a big-name merchandiser. So why are you holding thrift stores to a different standard? Imagine demanding the cashier at H&M give you 10 per cent off a jacket just because, or begging for discounts at Target because you aren’t sure if an item will fit your needs. Cringy, right?”
Right. And this was drummed residence the opposite day once we had our very personal cringy haggle occasion. A buyer requested to see a tray of watches from the show. She picked them up one after the other, studied them at size and plopped them again face down higgledy-piggledy on the tray (impolite, proper?). They’ve been examined by a jeweller volunteer, given new batteries, and priced at $9.
The buyer fancied the watch with the blue face. Then began “the process”. “Why does this say 10.30 when the rest say 11 o’clock?” We had no concept. She took a snap of the again of the watch and googled it. “It’s a knock-off!” she shouted. “I’ll pay $5 max.”
Charity usually begins – and ends – at residence. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
What ought to the volunteer do? Point to the signal on the wall that asks clients to not cut price? Tell her the worth is $9 and “we shall not be moved”? Advise that the watch was, in reality, donated by Princess Di and the worth ought to actually be $95? Inform her {that a} cheaper price might have been accepted had she not been such a ache?
The right reply is the entire above. But nonetheless she howled. She wished to see the supervisor. The supervisor seemed involved, flustered, sympathetic – and accepted her provide. But subsequent time she should pay full value.
