The Haggler

[customersruinmylife]

Was in a shoe store a couple of hours ago. I was in the middle of chatting with the cashier, as she was giving me advice of what was nice and what offers were on.

An elderly man walks up to the register with a pair of sandles. He drops them on the bar.

OM: I want these, but I think £32 is too much!

OK, yeah, £32 is a bit much for a pair of sandles, but this was not a discount shoe store we were in, these were all brand names.

Cashier: OK then, so...what do you want to do with them?
OM: Well I would like to buy them!
Cashier: Oh OK then.

She rings them up.

Cashier: So that's £32 then please sir.
OM: Weren't you listening to me? I said I thought £32 was too much!
Cashier: Ok...but that is the set price.
OM: I will give you £5 for them.
Cashier: I'm sorry, but our prices are fixed.
OM: £7.50
Cashier: Our prices are fixed.
OM: £10. Final offer.
Cashier: £32 or no shoes.
OM: I told you it's too much! I am not paying £32 for these! So what are you going to do about it?
Cashier: Take them off you!

She grabs the sandles.

OM: Wait! Wait! What are you doing?
Cashier: Well pay £32!

He throws the £32 at her, grabs the sandles and storms out the store!

[blas]

I love the authority:

"Weren't you listening to me? I SAID 32 was too much!"

She was listening. She just didn't care. Wrong country to haggle in, sir.

Oh wait, he's old. He probably forgets from time to time that we don't haggle in clothing stores or grocery stores or any type of retail outlet anywhere.

[Pagan]

What kind of sandals were they? Just curious, 'cause $64 USD really isn't bad if you're talking about something like Teva or Nike. But, seriously, if he wants to pay $10-20 for sandals, get thee to a WallyWorld (or is that ASDA? )

[RecoveringKinkoid]

""Weren't you listening to me? I SAID 32 was too much!"

Aaaaaand?

[Andara Bledin]

"Um, yeah, I heard you. It's just irrelevant to this transaction."

I paid $90 for the shoes I bought this weekend. I probably could have paid less, but it's been a long, long time since I had new shoes, so I didn't care.

I used to know a woman that would haggle everywhere. She would work her way up the management chain until she reached someone who would give her a discount, or she would leave and shop somewhere else. I could never do that. Because I know how much hagglers annoy the heck out of me.

^-.-^

[air914]

Yep. I heard you. Go somewhere else. THESE sandals ARE that price. Go find sandals at the price you want somewhere else.

I mean really - where can you haggle anymore??

[nhollywood]

"Didn't you hear me? I said 32 was too much."

"Didn't you hear me? I said 'If you want these then you'll pay 32/"

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Methinks the old codger should start doing his shoe shopping at a thirft store then.

[Banrion]

What kind of sandals were they? Just curious, 'cause $64 USD really isn't bad if you're talking about something like Teva or Nike.

If you buy your Teva's in December in New England, you can get them for less than $10 USD!!! That's how I got my last 3 pairs.

[Kilamon]

What? no "I'm on a fiiiixed iiiincoooome?"

[BookstoreEscapee]

Damn, at this point I'm willing to shell out a bit if I find the right sneakers (within reason, I'm not desperate yet). I bought 2 pairs of running shoes last week but when I tried them on again at home and ran around the house a bit I didn't like the way they felt. So back they went today. Then I saw a pair of sneakers I liked (not running shoes but they would be good for work) but the one pair was too short in the toe and the next size was sliding off my heel. I used to do really well with Nikes and I have tried on almost every pair the store had this season and none of them fit right.

[AFpheonix]

Yay for Nordstrom's Rack and their $35 New Balance slides

[Broomjockey]

I would kill for $35 shoes. Heck, I'd kill for $35USD shoes. I can't find a pair my size anywhere except about 3 stores (It's the width that does it really), and none of them ever have shoes for less than $70, and usually more like $90.

[Andara Bledin]

If you have wide feet, look at men's shoes for sneakers.

My mother and aunt are both D and they have to get men's shoes to get ones that fit right. Either that or go to places that cater to people with wide feet.

^-.-^

[Broomjockey]

If you have wide feet, look at men's shoes for sneakers.

If that was for me, I am a guy, and I've got size 15, EEEE width feet. There's not many of the big & tall shops that carry shoes, and other places have to order them in, which is no good because I don't get to try them on, which makes me pretty much stuck with the 3 shops I've found, as relying on public transit limits my shop-hunting abilities.