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Ok, so I was at a garage sale this weekend, and this scenario has happened a few times in the past, so I’d like to get some advice…
This re-seller, who I see all the time sourcing in the same circles as I do, was trying to haggle two items, originally priced at $10 each, for $5 each. (Or both for $10). The owner countered with $8 each (or $16 for both). They went back and forth $6, $7, etc..
I would have paid the $10 each for both items ($20 total). Would it be bad etiquette to jump in and make an offer? I’m sure the other re-seller wouldn’t be too happy and since I’ll always see this guy here and there, I’d hate to have to see his cranky mug all the time.
Thoughts? Thanks!
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I wouldn’t especially if you see this guy often
you don’t want your car mysteriously keyed
some people are real arseholes about these things – he sounds like one to me ..
just my opinion -
I wouldn’t do this either. If the picker walks away without finalizing a deal, then yeah, approach the seller and say you’ll pay their full asking price. If they are in the middle of negotiating a deal, it seems jerky to cut in. Don’t be a jerk unless someone leaves you no choice. You never know; that picker could one day do you a favor.
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It is really annoying to hear someone nickle and diming, especially if it’s an item you like and for which you’d happily pay the asking price. But whether or not the guy is being a jerk, I think it’s still rude to break in, and that’s actually a civil tort in many states in the US. If you interfere with a business negotiation on a big enough scale you could sued for tortious interference with contract expectancy.
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I did once buy something whilst a chiseller was standing there with it in his hands, trying to chisel 50 pence off the price. I took it out of his hands- he cried out “Right! I’m going to sue you for tortious interference with contract expectancy!” “Wrong continent mate- that’s the land of the free, this is the land of the eff off and get out of the way.”
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If there was a second person running the garage sale present I might mention on the sly to that person that I was interested in the same item and would pay the asking price for it. Just on the off chance that the second person would go tell the owner/negotiator not to take the lower offer.
Makes me sound bad I know, but I just don’t have any patience when people are dickering over small amounts. Time is money.
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I was at a garage sale years back and they had an acoustic guitar and case for $100. My kids all played and I knew the case alone was worth about that. Just as I walked up and spotted it, I overheard someone offering the lady $75. I stood behind the potential buyer and waved frantically over his head and mouthed to let the owner know I’d pay full price. It worked.
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