A Little Dirt about "Dickering"

                      We all love a deal. We all love to get the best price that we can for things, and walk away feeling like we weren't taken. Whether you clip coupons, turn in rebates, or shop the sales rack, there is nothing better than that feeling like you saved some dough.
                       But, now as an owner of a small thrift shop, I am seeing the other side. This is a tough post to write, but I did promise honesty and an inside look at the business, so here goes. Should you dicker with us on prices? Sure, you can ask. Am I going to cut ya a deal? Yes. No. Maybe. But not all the time. Why not? Honestly, it depends a lot on you, your approach, and to be frank, how I am feeling that day.  Hey, you asked.
                     
                          Here are a few tips to help you not be the first syllable in dickering while asking for a deal. I think other small business or thrift shop owners will agree with me on these.

Our Model Maxine is always willing to give out free high fives!

1. Make sure you have actually shopped here before.  Or at least shopped around the whole store, really looked around, before asking for a deal. Nothing is worse than the dude (or dude-ette) that walks in and asks for a deal immediately. I sometimes give a dollar or two off to those customers that come in... a lot. Like a lot, a lot. Does that mean if you are a tourist that I wont work with you? Not at all. But at least take the time to look around before you ask, "can't you do better on this?"

2. Choose your battles. Honestly, you want it for $2 instead of $3. Really? Would you walk into Walmart and do that? Or perhaps in a business closer to home, would you do that at the Salvation Army? It may not sound like a lot to you, but we are a small business. We have overhead, insurance, mortgage, maintenance, bills, taxes, on and on. So, that dollar actually does matter, it does count.If the item is bigger, maybe there is some wiggle room, and I can move down a dollar or two. But, we make our lives on those $3 items, moving as many small items as we can. So, the bigger the item, the more wiggle room. 

3. Eye on the prize. This is true if you are a shop "regular". Some times items are marked down  the longer they sit on the shelf, like any store. I know every item in the shop, when it came in and who it came from. I can make a deal if something has been there a while of course, or if I need more room and the item takes up space. So, if you visit often, keep an eye on that item you are after, how many times it has moved around the shop, or if the tag has been marked down once already. Those are items I would most likely  be open to discounting a bit more just to get them out of the shop. But this can be a double edged sword. Sometimes, the item you walk away from is picked up by the next guy, but hey, isn't that all part of the fun?! Another great tip: Shop the outside of the shop. I don't want to have to carry all that back inside, so there may be deal to be had.

4. Buy more than one thing. Bundling is not just a word for your cable/phone/internet deals. Find a couple of items in the shop and there may be a deal for you. Sometimes I even take a dollar off at the register and I may not even tell you. I love to see people walk up with a bunch of "treasures" in their hands. More items leaving my shop at one time makes me a happy lady, and so much more willing to make a deal. That means I have room for more stuff!

And lastly:

5. Attitude matters. I would say, honestly, if I am going to dicker down a price, it depends on your approach. No one likes demands or disdain, so please be polite. Shoot the breeze, talk to us, and play the game. Don't expect a discount just because we are a thrift and consignment shop. And sometimes, I have to say no, so please respect that. We take items on consignment and the person who brought the item in may want a certain price. If I cut into my profit, I still have to pay the consigner what they want. I won't be in business long if I cut my prices each and every time.

                 So, I guess what I am saying is, it doesn't hurt to ask for a discount, and dickering can be fun. But be prepared for the no. We want you to have a good time, to find and get that treasure you want, but sometimes, you will have to pay full price.
What do you think of the dicker? Leave us a comment or two, we would love to hear what you think of the art of bargaining!