Working in the op shop recently, it reminded me of the famous haggling scene in Monty Python. Brian's life. Brian buys a fake beard for 20 shekels (it's a long story), but the merchant, played by Eric Idle, insists he follows haggling protocol. When Brian cuts his offer in half, Eric relents, “That's more. Ten?! You trying to insult me?! Me, with a poor dying grandma?! Ten?!”
Like the character Idle, I love a good haggle, as long as both parties do it and know the rules. It is one of the few times in life when we are actively involved in a bit of improvisational theatre. It can be fun and satisfying. But there are conditions. You must know where haggling and how to do it, very good. Op shops should be haggling free zones (with rare exceptions).
Incredibly, many people insist on trading in op shops. Unbelievable not only because there are signs asking them not to, and that the prices, at least in our store, are already very low: Pierre Cardin dresses for $15 and all that. But amazing because the hagglers know that this is not the Grand Bazaar of Turkey. It's a charity shop and wouldn't that make you want to act warm and fuzzy, just a little?
Beauty blogger Anna Denson of Glam agrees: “Unless you're incredibly bold, you probably wouldn't haggle with a reputable retailer. So why are you holding thrift stores to a different standard? Imagine demanding that the cashier at H&M give you 10% discount a jacket just because, or asking Target for discounts because you're not sure if an item will fit your needs. Creepy, right?”
right And this was hit home the other day when we had our own haggling event. A customer asked to see a tray of watches from the screen. He picked them up one by one, studied them at length, and dropped them down onto the tray (rude, right?). They've been tested by a volunteer jeweler, given new batteries, and are priced at $9.
The customer liked the clock with the blue face. Then “the process” began. “Why does this say 10.30 when the rest say 11?” We had no idea. He took a picture of the back of the watch and googled it. “It's an imitation!” she shouted. “I'll pay $5 at most.”
Charity often begins – and ends – at home. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
What should the volunteer do? Point to the sign on the wall asking customers not to trade? Tell him the price is $9 and “we won't be moved”? Notice that the watch was in fact donated by Princess Di and the price should really be $95? Inform her that a lower price would have been accepted if it hadn't been so painful?
The correct answer is all of the above. But he still howled. I wanted to see the manager. The manager seemed concerned, nervous, understanding, and accepted his offer. But next time you will have to pay the full price.
