Discounts Are the Name of the Game Now

The hardest thing I find about the antiques trade is proper pricing.  Dear Husbola and I do not sell "common" items.  In fact--we find the usual stuff you see in most malls very boring.  Really--does anyone even LOOK at depression glass anymore?  Stacks of glassware and dishes are "dead in the water" as we say--if they sell at all--they are selling for a fraction of what they once were.

Shoppers are more savvy these days--they ask for discounts now far more often than they once did.  Everyone knows that antique sales have slowed--and the chances that sellers are more hungry for a sale has increased.  Shoppers know that--and are not shy about asking for "a  better price."  I know it--and I do it myself.

But some shoppers are so RUDE about it--it makes me want to scream.

Most recently, we set up and sold at the Blumen Gardens show in Sycamore Illinois.  It is our second year and we sold well--and 99% of the buyers and shoppers were pleasant, conversational and respectful..  But ohhh--that 5 % was a real wing ding.

Respect is a two way street.  Respect for our customers needs to bet met halfway with a respectful understanding that we do not get our inventory for nothing--and you ask me politely--I will discount politely.  Seems simple.

Take the woman who spent 15 minutes going through a large container of vintage sets of dice.  I had not intended to sell any--they were just decorating a large bowl--but when people started asking--I figured I would sell.  Now these were CHEAP!  REALLY cheap.  Her purchase came to six dollars.

"I'll give ya five," was her wonderful offer.

HAPPILY when a shopper is making a purchase of consequence--we give an attractive discount.  We realize that that is part of the antiques commerce.  When we sell in an antiques market setting like Elkhorn--we especially expect it. 

But--at a lovely indoor show--knocking a buck off a 6 dollar purchase?  No thank you.

I told this Wonderful Perspective Customer--"No--at that price point there is no discount."  At this point--she shot me a look that would have withered limestone.  Or curled the toes of the Wicked Witch of the East.

Funny--I forget all the great customers that weekend--and remember This One Treasure.

(PS-She bought them anyway---)
(PPS-Why the artichoke picture?  Just because it is spring and in season in France--and pretty!)