"Is the muffin tin half price because it has no muffins?"
"Is this doll half price because she lost her head?"
"Is the lamp half price because the lampshade is ripped?"
"How about those shoes? Are they half price because they smell like feet?"
This sweet Cherub's face says it all........And no, he is not half price."Today I will concentrate on venting. This is not the kind of venting that a hole in your pants will take care of -if you know what I mean. Although SR might disagree with this...(just kidding). While working today, as has been happening quite frequently for some time now, I find myself highly frustrated with situations in general....people bartering on prices if bartering is even the proper word to use here. Don't get me wrong, our business is based nearly entirely on customers purchases whether it be a dealer or regular purchaser and we truly appreciate the business.. I guess my point is that I wish that people would realize that we are trying to make a living as well-and our financial situation is probably about the same as everyone elses if not worse. It takes alot of work to do what we do, but sometimes I think people lose sight of that fact. The finding of the item, the painting or fixing, the hauling of it back and forth, and the displaying that goes along with it. It's not an easy task. So when people walk in and immediately start asking for better prices even when it has been marked down, I get a little steamed. Sorry to be soooo negative, but this seems to have become an epidemic. I wonder if these same people walk into other shops-for example Macy's-and ask what their best price is? I am willing to bet that hasn't happened yet. Maybe I can give it a go myself-let's see I think I will visit Lexus and ask them if I can have the latest model SUV for a 50% discount. I am willing to bet that I will be leaving in my Dodge truck with a footprint on my butt!!! Let us now relax and look at some soothing photos.....
you know...I grew up in a retail situation in a very small town. My parents own shoe stores. It is not just reserved to your area..and it happens since forever...but that doesn't make it right. I hate it so much that I can't even bring myself to barter at a yard sale! I'm sorry....if the sign says negotiable or make and offer...then you barter...if it says 1/2 price...that is the price!
ReplyDeletesome folk are rude and assuming. Okay now I'm steamed!
It is good to vent. I know that at times it hurts my feelings when people always want a discount because it is a lot of work to keep a space up and to change it around and to find, paint and decorate as you said. I think they just don't realize it. It is discouraging but the fun of doing it outweighs all of the negative. Hang in there girl. Lynn
ReplyDeleteOh Tiina, it all boils down to these shows on HGTV that tells people to offer 50% less than asking price, even if it is on sale, cause they think you really want to get rid of it!! Bull Shit, I hate that stuff!! And the statement that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.....I'm a dealer and I don't think I can double my money on this item....SO!! I could care less if you make money or not, I didn't drive 1000 miles and set up at a show, shed blood, sweat and tears to worry if you could make a profit on my fabulous junk! People are so rude!! Most of the time I tell them like it is, and believe it or not they buy from me anyway!! It makes me feel so much better to let them know they have insulted me with their offer!! I am like Tootsie when I know something is a good price I don't even try to negotiate the price, I just pay and go on my merry way!! If it to much for me thats not the dealers fault it's mine cause I'm poor!! Hang in there girl, I know how you feel! It's so hard to make a living in this business! You know what you need is a great relaxing day shopping in Warrenton and going to Theresa Cano's blog party on Sunday the 29th! I am dying to meet you! Oh and for the record, I love that doll with no head! How much is she?
ReplyDeleteTheresa
Amen to the wise girl's comments above...all of them. Although I'm NOT in the same business, I am a shopper. I know all of the hard work that is put into creating a beautiful shop with beautiful finds. And the appreciation of all you talented women creating that for us is what keeps us coming back each time! It's not about the dollar when appreciating beauty...I feel for those who see beauty in the dollar.
ReplyDeleteeverything vintage
I'm sure that must get frustrating! I've always been to shy to even dare ask for a better price~even at yard sales :)~& I also figure the price marked is the price they want for the item!
ReplyDeleteThat being said~it's good to vent~vent away!:)
The cherub is my favorite!!:)
Hang in there!~Some of us shoppers appreciate your hard work & creativity!! And love vintage items~even when they aren't half~price!:)
Cat
I enjoy visiting your blog just to look at all the photos of your great vignettes and displays...they're so unique.
ReplyDeleteI hear what you're saying..just hang in there!
Lisa
I was an antique dealer for 20 years and for 15 of those 20 years, I helped run a very large antique store in the area where I live, dealing every day with rude people who made stupid comments exactly like the ones you listed.
ReplyDeleteI just left the business last August because I was tired of all the hard work and the rude people who would ask for discounts that were simply ridiculous and down right insulting, like something would be $25 and they would ask if I could sell it for $5. Plus, I think Theresa's comment above is spot on, all the TV shows have taught people to barter. It's fine at a flea market or a garage sale, it's not fine in an antique store where you also have to add in the factor that the dealer has to pay rent and commission on that $25 thing you want them to sell you for $5.
When I was working, I was asked many times if I didn't just love Antiques Roadshow. My answer was always no, because while those kind of shows educated people what is what antique-wise (which is good), they also taught people to never pay what the dealer was asking and implied that that dealers gouge their customers price-wise (which is bad). What shows like that actually did was to force me, the dealer, to raise my prices to include the discount people were now expecting, in order to get the price I needed for a fair return on my investment.
I think a lot of people really believe antique dealers just go shopping for a bunch of "junk" (at some mythical Antiques R US spot known only to dealers) and then fling it into a display with a hefty price tag on it. They don't seem to realize what goes into good displays; how long it takes to hunt for stuff (hours and hours and hours and days and days), repairing if needed, cataloging the inventory, pricing, and displaying (more hours and hours and days and days).
And displaying well is an art. Not everyone can do a good job at it. I've even had people say to me, "Oh you don't really work, you're an antique dealer." It used to really make me mad because in reality, I put in way longer hours than they did and I also had to have a good education in order to know what I was dealing in and an artistic background in order to make it all look good.
Add in that the antique biz is especially tough right now because of the economy and that makes it even harder to be an antique dealer these days. People need to pay their bills and eat. They don't need antiques. Though I am no longer an antique dealer, I sure can commiserate with you. The rude people who make stupid comments will probably always be there, but the economy will not always be down and the antique biz will return to what it once was, so ... hang in there. It will get better.
I sympathize with you. I got out of the business because it was just too hard and too much work to do the show. As for the rudeness, I'd wage a bet that those people have very little experience in purchasing in these venues (don't have a clue what they are doing). I found that the least irritating way to bargain, was for a buyer to ask kindly, if that was my best price.
ReplyDeleteAmen sister!
ReplyDeleteI think in today's world people are just like that now, no matter where you live. We are here in Germany and customers are that way too, and getting worse by the year. We run our own campground business, and we have people ask for discounts, freebies, etc. There is not a lot of bargaining lee-way in our prices, and I never fail to find it insulting. Isn't it a shame that people do not realize how much work you put into your store, how much time and effort, and creative energy. I can imagine that if you were to ask them to work a few extra hours at their job, without pay, they would be insulted. So there is no figuring out why they feel they can ask such insulting questions in stores such as yours!
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are beautiful as always. I feel for your situation. I am an antique dealer in a shop downtown. Many people don't realize how much work goes into antiquing. It is hard work and very difficult to make a living in this business. I do it as a side job but have made less money the past few years because finds are fewer and people are spending less money. I believe that things will get better. Hang in there:)
ReplyDeleteI understand your struggle, really I do. Have they put a "stupid" drug into our food chain, water, or air?? Is it the main street media,,or is it that Wallmart and dollar stores have been bad for America, changing our "thought system", to never pay the asking price. Is it our government that has taught us all that we can depend on them to provide welfare programs. Is it that God is not the basis of our lives,country....the answer is.."all the above". I am not happy, at all, with our current administration, I can fight by getting involved with knowing whos at the top,,,that is where we can start...knowing who our political leaders really are, writing letters or making calls or protesting or whatever works. No one likes politics, it makes my stomach hurt, but look at where "not getting politicaly" educated has gotten us. The head sales man in charge now sold us the tag line "we need change",selling us on "the deal", well we got it, and unfortunately I believe it will get worse. He is very clever to have lead us sheep into the slaughter, and is counting on our ignorance to become the grand po-bah. It would be nice to stay in a job that we love, but if it dosent pay the bills, then we need to find out what we can do, and change, or add, keeping the art/antiques etc. as a sideline. Not fun. Not easy.
ReplyDeleteWell, now I have done it. I know the blogland wants to stay in a place of escape, and beauty,but we are also dealing with reality everyday, and stupid/ignorant/lazy/greedy people on all levals. And I am part of the problem, if I choose to do nothing. I am glad you had the kahoonas to vent. We all feel like venting, and I guess I have. I need to offer encouragement as well, we have been down before, and have come back, but not without work and adjustments.
Tiina, I enjoy your blog for it's honesty and beauty, and humor. I bet you could find an amuseing way of dealing with the customers that you would rather tell off. Pray, take a deep breath, you are not alone.
Marcie
I'm so sorry. Like one other poster said above, if I like something and the price is right, I buy it. Otherwise, I don't waste the person's time. When I posted about a recent flea market recently, I overheard some people in booths worrying about the lack of buyers so I know you're not alone. To be fair though, maybe people don't realize that there are some things you can't barter for thanks to HGTV? At the same time, offering $5 for something that's $25 like someone mentioned is so insulting to someone working hard in that type of business. I know I couldn't do it!
ReplyDeleteI can so relate...I had a dealer one time comment to me that I should be able to give better prices, since anyways it all came from garage sales? Well, I don't know where she got that idea, I travel almost every weekend looking for things, gas, time & no not at garage sales, but antique shops, flea markets, contacts I have and the cleaning, the displaying, the packing, unpacking, hauling, well you know the routine. Of course I've always loved a sign I saw once in a shop that said something like, I hunt for it, buy it, clean it, display it and you want to offer me what? There are also the rude people that come and say I'll give you this for it. No, I'd like for you to give me what I am on it. My husband once said well maybe we should go up on that price since you are willing to give me that much for it. For the most part, I do have great customers and I think they know and appreciate the hard work that goes into not only finding the great things but displaying them too. I'm going to Macy's tonight to see if they'll bargain with me on anything, yea right. Have a great day, loved this post. I so hope to meet up with you in Warrenton, bring Lynn along too!!
ReplyDeleteI think people now a days have lost their manners. I think that's what it all boils down to. Manners! It doesn't bother them to say something offensive as long as they can save a buck or two. I work at a restaurant that my mother owns and believe it or not we have people call in and ask stupid questions like "if we order 10 tacos how much would you let me have them for?" Uh...you can have them for the price that's on the menu. They want discounts on tacos. Give me a break. This kind of people are everywhere. It's a shame.
ReplyDeleteI use to own a shop. People do not realize, (or care)about the overhead & that you are trying to make it yourself. They really like your things, but don't want to pay the price to keep you in business. It's ok to vent.
ReplyDeleteI got out of bed early, I drove to get it, I found it,I payed for it,I cleaned it, I fixed it, I sanded it, I repainted it, I washed, I mended it, I displayed it, I saw the potential...and you what to get it for HOW MUCH??????? You've got to love people sometimes...
ReplyDeleteI am with you on this. As a shop owner it really bothers me when someone try’s to barter a huge percentage off. We work hard to find unique pieces to provide to our clients. Then, for someone to come in and try to diminish it worth is saddening.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I was in the business for 15 years at Antiques & Moore. It is not easy! OK, Pat & I want to come & see what you have. So please tell us where to find you. We are having girls day out on Friday.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think sometimes it is other dealers fault because they play the "game" They price things too high so that they can take 25 to 50% off making them look the good dealer/business person. All that does is make trouble for themselves & everyone around them. The it becomes "let's make a deal". The girl across from me at Moore's was ALWAYS doing that. IT STINKS! You just have to price your things fairly & then when someone is a jerk... think OK it's them not me. Good luck in the business. So glad so many of you are still out there doing it.
ReplyDeleteHere yee here yee...you said it sister! I don't know what has happened to people when they throw such insults around. Do they think we don't have feelings...not the way to get the better price! I'm sorry to say that I have experienced this from fellow dealers also. Recently at one of my outside sales sat a vintage silver tray in all its verdigris glory that time had added. A customer asked how much...I replied ten dollars...she replied...oh that's too much! Guess what I still sold that tray that day to another dealer that thought it was a wonderful price. I don't know what the first dealer intended to do with my wonderful verdigris tray or for that matter the one who bought after the first miss manners (not) turned down my price. But, if she had spoken to me about it in a better manner I may have been able to work with her. I paid $5.00 for that tray when I originally bought it at a little antique shop where you have to dig through the booths, (I was willing) and would do it again. Next time, however I think I might charge for the excavation!! Oh and the wipes, rent, gas, phone, credit card fees.......etc.etc.!!!
ReplyDeleteI like a good bargain just like the next person but in this economy I wouldn't dare go crazy with it. Some may say, it never hurts to ask, well then again it might. I agree the best policy or way to ask if you have to... Is this your best price you can do today? Or if it's too much or cannot afford it (it may be a good price...I just can't afford it!)I just politely say, I will think about and if I dream about it I will be back!
MORE AND MORE I AM JUST SAYING "NO" TO THAT REQUEST. SOME PEOPLE GET PISSED OFF BUT I'M AT THE POINT WHERE I DON'T CARE! IF IT'S THOUGHT THAT A 10 OR 20% DISCOUNT IS NO BIG DEAL FOR ME TO GIVE UP, THEN IT SHOULD NOT BE A BIG DEAL FOR THE SHOPPER TO GIVE UP EITHER. I OFTEN TELL THEM THAT MY "BEST PRICE" WOULD BE DOUBLE THE AMOUNT THAT THE TAG SAYS, SO IT'S ALREADY MARKED DOWN 50%, OR IF I WANTED TO REDUCE THE ITEM BY 20% I WOULD HAVE MARKED IT 20% HIGHER THEN THE TAGS SAYS SO THAT I COULD GIVE A 20% DISCOUNT! I AM NOT RUDE OR SNOTTY WHEN I SAY THIS, I PUT IT IN A JOKIE TYPE WAY, BEFORE SAYING THAT THE PRICE I AM ASKING IS THE FAIR PRICE. IT IS TIRESOME AND SOMETIMES I MAKE RUDE JESTURES BEHIND MY CHECK OUT COUNTER WHERE IT CAN'T BE SEEN BY ANYONE BUT ME!
ReplyDeleteONE OTHER THING I FEEL COMPELLED TO SAY IS THAT THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION HAS "NOTHING" TO DO WITH PEOPLE'S HABIT OF ASKING FOR DISCOUNTS! PLEASE! THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES! HOW CAN AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS ONLY BEEN IN PLACE FOR TWO MONTHS POSSIBLY BE EXPECTED TO FIX ISSUES THAT TOOK YEARS TO OCCUR. I FEEL THAT VENTING ABOUT POLITICS SHOULD ONLY TAKE PLACE IN BLOGS OF THAT NATURE. THE ART AND CREATIVE VENUES SHOULD STAY JUST THAT!