Saturday, February 14, 2009

Driving a Hard Bargain

Scene: a family-owned local business.  Ken finds his item and puts it on the counter.  There are two guys working there, both in their mid-to-late 20's.  One is working the cash register, the other is nearby, just hanging out.

Guy at the cash:  Hey, Trev, is this on sale?

Trev (the hanging out guy):  It should be.  Everything from that section is on sale.

Cash guy:  How much discount?

Trev:  *shrugs*  Thirty percent?

Cash guy:  That sounds about right.  *To Ken* Does that sound good to you?

Ken: *sensing an opportunity*  How about forty percent?

Cash guy and Trev glance at each other indecisively.

Ken:  How about this?  If I can beat you at Rock, Paper, Scissors, I get forty percent off.  If I lose, I'll take thirty.

Trev: *thinks for a moment* *nods*  OK, it's a deal.

Ken and Trev set themselves up face to face over the counter, and deterimine the rules (on the count of three, or after three?  After three.)

One!  Two!  Three!  Go!

Ken loses.  He grins, shakes his head, and accepts the thirty percent discount.   "Next time!" he says.

See what a good policy that store has?  You can bet that they'll be getting our repeat business.  They also told us their policy for one particularly popular item: if you can tell them an entertaining or unusual story, they'll give you ten percent off.  How can you not love this store?

And now, to another topic entirely.

I rarely post links to music, because it's one of those intensely personal things, where a song that rings your bell will leave me flat, and vice versa.  But I really like this song that a friend introduced me to, and it's relatively unknown.  Some of you might like it too.  I hope so.  Enjoy!


11 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

Your story makes me realise why I shop in large stores. I'd hate having that sort of personal interaction with people! I'd rather pay more just to avoid getting into a conversation with anyone!

There again I'm an anti social git.

Jameil said...

wow. i would like to shop at boutiques but the clothes are either not my style or the prices are out of my range. ah well.

Anonymous said...

Wow. You can use rock and scissors to avoid handing them more paper!

Warped Mind of Ron said...

To funny at the store and the song is catchy. Happy Valentines Day!!

Emma Gorst said...

I like shopping somewhere that they know me. It's pretty rare these days though. Did you guys know them already?

Unknown said...

I so want the name of that store! lol

Sparkling Red said...

LL Cool Joe: Seriously? All the time? I have days when I don't want to be bothered chatting with anyone, but sometimes saying "hi" to a clerk I know and sharing a smile is a real pick-me-up. Anyway, if you like to shop in large, impersonal stores, more power to you, because they're taking over!

Jameil: Individually owned clothing stores can be like that for sure: weird styles, or outrageously pricey. I usually shop in chain stores for my clothes. The store we were in is a bicycle store.

Unsigned: What, like hit them over the head, stab them, and then run away with the merchandise?

Ron: Thanks! Happy Valentines' day to you too. :-)

Aurora: Nope. Those two were total strangers. Very friendly total strangers.

Sabrae: I don't even remember the name. It sells bikes and bike parts, and it's located on Bloor St. east of Bathurst St., but that would only mean something to you if you're familiar with Toronto.

Karen said...

I love local shops for that reason. You can build relationships and meet interesting people.

That sort of crap just doesn't happen in Walmart or Target. :)

LL Cool Joe said...

Yeah, when I'm here in the States I love to shop in Walmart coz it's just so good to walk around and not be bothered by anyone. It just suits me I suppose. I have no desire to make small talk to anyone.

I hate it when people on the check outs comment on what I've bought too. It's like an intrusion into my space. :D

Tink said...

I would go out of my way to shop at a store like that!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I love this conversation. Hilarious!