Time for a round of haggling
Why can’t I haggle? What happened in Canada to make us so different from other parts of the world, where market value is decided by the merchant and the client? Is there something sacred about a stuck-on price tag?
While in a local shop, I noticed that the price on something I wanted was (easily) 25% higher than the competition, next province over. Both merchants maintain a web presence. The local store had less variety, and attracting the attention of a clerk might have been easier if I had decided to pull a fire alarm and do my own inventory clearance. When I finally had the occasion to do a price check, there we were. Higher and drier, and no chance of leniency in my favour. Buy it at the tagged price or move along (I did).
Sure, we have this urban myth that automobiles are “bargainable”, and you can make an offer on real estate. Tried it once; it didn’t work… But for the average whatever in a store, there is only one number that counts, and the merchant decides in advance. Hence the popularity of online auctions. I’ve paid less than retail, I’ve offered for less than retail and had my offer accepted, I’ve enjoyed the fruits of my astute shopping.
Time for the local stores to clue in. The world has changed. I came into the shop this morning knowing what I wanted to buy. I knew the features and the failing, and the YouTube videos gave me a close look at the detailing. In contrast, the clerk behind the counter offered nothing but a line in the sand.
