Categories: Experiences and daily life; Human nature; Commerce and business
Word count/read time: 441 words; 2 minutes
Vacations bring the opportunity to explore new areas and hopefully find some deals.
I don't often spend time searching stores in another country - in this case
our northern compatriot Canada - so I wasn't quite
sure what to expect. It ended up being a bust as far as buying silver or other
useful collectibles but it did have its entertaining moments.
One such store, a pawn shop/antiques/collectibles place, was closing down.
As I walked through the door, the curmudgeonly and condescending owner mentioned to ask for a price
as his lame way of attempting a greeting. And mentioned that everything was negotiable.
Further, the signs placed all over said to ask for a price if you saw something you liked.
Not a single price tag was visible anywhere.
The owner of 50+ years said it was the oldest licensed second-hand store in Toronto
area. His inventory was way over-stocked...there'd be NO way he was
gonna sell everything even if he stayed open for another half century!
There was an OK selection of sterling silver items and I asked
to look at a random grouping of mirrors and brushes.
Naturally, I asked for the prices. He said he wanted
the highest price he could get. Really, Captain Obvious?!
So I asked for a price again. This went on for
a few exchanges yet he refused to answer with a number. It was every non-answer excuse known to man.
In any case, I ended up walking out empty-handed and
wondering what his problem was. A very bitter, angry old man was the only explanation.
It'd be one thing if it was a yard sale or temporary kiosk, i.e. a "non-professional"
and the person had so much stuff
that they couldn't possibly have priced each item. Still, I have never encountered someone so loath
to be a responsible seller and answer a simple, the most simple, question about selling an item:
How much? He's been doing this longer than I've been alive
and certainly had the wherewithal to know (when) he needed to start the negotiations
with an actual number, not a nebulous rambling.
I am somewhat guilty of this but not as insidious.
The price of silver rapidly fluctuates and so do the prices
of my precious metal items. It is not possible to re-price thousands of items
each show so I have a master list that is available for everyone to see.
All the prices are known but some are not shown on the actual item.
It's not always a case of "If you have to ask it's too expensive"
though my collection of
gold chains
might make you think twice.
Posted by M: July 21, 2024
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