"I would never ask for a discount on a $10 item! How cheap can you get? No   
   way.  The dealer has overhead: rent, utilities etc.  If at a Flea Market and   
   the dealer offers some money off the price, Ok, then.  But I would never ask.    
   Gail B."   
      
   "Hi there,  I have to agree with Jim on this one.  ICÇÖm a shop owner who   
    pays rent.  'In this day and age' as Victoria puts it, it is nearly   
    impossible for small shopkeepers to make ends meet.  Asking $10 for an   
    item is not unreasonable.  It is insulting when someone comes into the   
    shop (or online shop) and offers half price for a reasonably priced item.   
    They assume they should get flea market or yard sale prices for things.   
    If thatCÇÖs what they want why not go to them?  Most shopkeepers try to   
    offer a comfortable, affordable and fun shopping experience.  This costs   
    money!  We travel to find things our customers want, restore them, house   
    them and take a hit if they donCÇÖt sell.  We take all the risk!  If I know   
    ICÇÖm selling to a dealer I usually offer a discount without them even   
    having to ask.  Some think they are slick and wonCÇÖt reveal that they   
    intend to resell.  They want you to do the work while they make the   
    profit.  Not cool.  If a customer truly wants something in my sh op but   
    canCÇÖt afford my price, I offer a payment plan.  You wouldnCÇÖt   
   randomly walk into Walmart and ask the cashier for 50% off an item, why ask   
   this of the "Moms & Pops?" Warm regards, Kate @ Decotique"   
      
   "Victoria T., Do you ask for a discount these days when you are paying record   
   high prices for gasoline, groceries, fuel oil, electricity and hundreds of   
   other things?  No one wonders if the vendors of those items would be happy   
   just making a sale at any price.  The concept of getting a discount is   
   pervasive in the antique business, but the mostly misunderstood reason behind   
   it is usually missing from people's minds. Discounts were and are not   
   "mandatory".  Discounts are a left over from the age old process of bargaining   
   back and forth for everything including your daily bread.  The discount system   
   that remains is rather than mandatory, a courtesy discount that should be   
   reserved for long time customers, cash in hand buyers and for those who put a   
   smile on your face when they enter and not when they are leaving.  Those   
   buyers who cost you extra aggravation or extra costs like charge cards or   
   paypal should not be allowed the same courtesy price.  The price level at   
   which a discount might occur is entirely up to the vendor and varies across   
   the country, usually increasing in metropolitan shops and high rent   
   districts.  Do not leave angry when not given a discount.  The price on the   
   item was not designed to attract you as a buyer if you believe it was too   
   high, it was for someone else.  If the seller has too many items priced for   
   buyers that do not frequent their stand they will cease to be vendors.  It is   
   common to see 2 gas stations on the corner with lines at the one selling   
   regular for less than the other, but the one with the greater price often has   
   a few buyers also and remains open because they have a different set of   
   customers, just not as many as the cheaper one."   
   --------------------------   
      
   --- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Dada-1   
    * Origin: Prism bbs (1:261/38)