Midweek Tip: Don't Be a Dirtbag.

                                                       Don't Be A Dirtbag

 

                                           

　

　

Specifically speaking of the EXTREME cheapskate...
Even though negotiating a lower price at flea markets is expected, don't be the guy who finds a two hundred dollar vase on the table that was just marked 12 bucks because the seller didn't know what he had THEN offer him 8 or 10 bucks for it.

 

I know there are some people out there who can't help themselves. They just HAVE to make an offer no matter how grossly under priced an item is or they couldn't sleep at night.

                                                         

Resist the urge and DON'T ask: "Is that the best you can do?" or "Will you take less?" It's tacky and insulting. Especially if it's priced at 5 percent of its value and it's not repaired or damaged.

Just pay them their asking price. 

Here's why:
 

Eventually they may find out what his vase was really worth and they won't think kindly of you next time you try to buy from them. It can backfire on you especially if you frequent the same market every weekend. I've seen it happen before and some dealers resent it. They feel bad enough they made a mistake in pricing it but worse, they are insulted you had the nerve to offer them less. If you paid the marked price of 12.00 bucks, it's their fault not yours.

I had a no negotiating rule of 25 percent. If I knew I could easily get 4 times what they had it marked, I always paid what they were asking. No questions.  Sometimes the dealer will appreciate that you don't barter and even hold items he knows you like for first refusal. So don't be cheap! It will pay off in the end.

A final caveat. As I stated earlier, make sure the reason the item is so cheap is lack of knowledge and it's not a repaired, cracked or damaged item they are trying to unload. Inspect it carefully.  If you get it home and it breaks in half from a hidded crack, you own both pieces.