I wanted a new bed so I have been trawling the Internet and walking the streets of Cambridge to check out beds and the market. I do not buy many beds so was surprised to learn that they ranged in price from hundreds of pounds to over four thousand and more. I walked and walked and talked and talked and found a shop that was putting the display beds in a special area of the shop at half-price. “Be there early” I was told. 9:30am is a little on the early side for me so I ambled in an hour late. Some beds had been sold but not the two £4k beds. They felt good but even at the half-price of £2k, were too hard for me; on the pocket.
A few days later, I visited the store again and asked if there were any deals for me. The fancy beds had been reduced to £699 and £599. I said that I would buy the more expensive for £600 if that was possible. When the very professional salesman started calling me “Sir” I realised that I had overstepped the mark and gazed at my shoes. With a huff and a puff he said that he would see what he could do and “Would I mind waiting, Sir”. I do not know where he went or if he even talked to anyone but I started to worry as some other punters arrived. After what seemed like five minutes, back he came. He was an excellent negotiator with his head held high and leaning ever so slightly backwards – good posture. After a whispered yes, I said how much for both. “A grand” came out of the side of his mouth. We were on but he would not let me pay the next day which would have put me into my next month’s Barclaycard payment period. “At that price, Sir, we need the deal now” and so we did it.
Afterwards I wondered if he had stitched me up as he had cleared a lot of floor space in one deal. He was running the deal not me.
But then I started thinking that I had done this sort of thing before. Walked and talked, walked and talked until I got a deal. It makes me a “saver”. But what I am not is a “maker”; someone who can charge £4k for something others would charge £1k. But then I am not a “faker”; someone who can do neither.
Anyone want to buy a bed for £1k? I am taking orders for next year. And the name of the shop? Forget it, it was hard work finding it!
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