Just wanted to know what you people think. If a person asked you for a discontinued ball, and you were able to locate one (NIB), and the price it would cost you was, say 70.00. You then proceed to tell your potential buyer that all you ask for, is a 10.00 profit, on top of the 12.00 shipping cost brining the total cost to 92.00. That individual responds with the comment, "Ouch, I can go get it for 89.00 from so-and-so!" Would someone tell me when 3 dollars became something that hurt. I am on unemployment, and if I can't afford 3 dollars, then what am I doing paying for a league, much less buying a ball in the first place? I would like to know what some others think, and if you can tell me if 3 dollars constitutes a slap in the face remark like "ouch", followed by "so-and-so sells it for 3 dollars less"? The seller is only asking for 10.00 profit above cost, is that unreasonable. I can just imagine what his Peachness would think of this story.

Dave


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If You Are Not the Lead SAW, All You Get is SAWdust!!

Thanks mumzie, that is what I thought as well.  Let a competitor deal with someone that gets hurt over 3 dollars, when this seller's customer service is priceless.  I would tell them, well, go to so-and-so and buy from them, if 3 dollars is that much to you.  I would hold out hope that the individual was just kidding.

Dave
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If You Are Not the Lead SAW, All You Get is SAWdust!!

I used to own a furniture store. I dealt with people who always wanted that little extra discount. I learned those people are the ones that will whine about any little thing that happens to that item and demand full attention.
I started to hold my ground with these types and let them take their money elsewhere. Can't please everyone...
I lost the store in a divorce   She lost it a year later due to her own stupidity

Ty

Sorry to hear about that Saw...  It still amazes me how the almighty dollar makes people get stupid about things that don't really matter. My hats off to you for going to all the trouble and only asking $10 markup.

I'm the type of guy that hates to see the little guys taken down by mega store chains.  Therefore, I will go out of my way to seek out the independently owned places, like the good old Mom N Pop greasy spoon diners.  I travel 35 miles to frequent a house (and am trying to fit it into my league schedule next year) because the owners are really cool and they have an awesome place - even though there are a dozen others in the city closer to where I work.  I also frequent another small house that's not as aesthetically pleasing, but they keep it nice and the lanes and machines are in good shape.  Does it cost me more?  Sure, they have expenses to meet (and usually these places cannot get the bulk buy savings of a large business), but that little extra cost is nothing when I consider the friends I have made by frequenting such places, as opposed to the cold "gimme your money and get out" attitude of the large corporations.  Besides, places like these (not just bowling alleys) are closing every year, and although my one night of league and 2 ball purchases a year may not add up to much, but I'm doing what I can to help them stay in business a little longer.

Kinda rambled there, but I think whoever squabbled with you over $3 may be missing the big picture.


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9-

Why, WHY won't the last one just fall??  It's WIGGLING for cryin' out loud!!

Charlest and others,

Thanks for the comments, but I wish to convey that this did not happen to me, but someone that I know around here.  I have told this person that I was going to post this and let him know the types of responses I got.  It is good to see that there are those here that understand where I am coming from, and my friend was upset, and I told him to do what some of you suggested, and to even send him to the individual.  I said, after that to call the proshop and tell him what the guy was like.  Like DW said, 10.00 profit is not much, but that is the way my friend is.  It is okay to want a deal, but instead of saying what the guy said, just say thanks and either take the offer or just go buy somewhere else.  Thanks to EVERYONE who has replied, he will be glad to know that he is not alone in feeling slighted and treated ungratefully.  Hey 9, I like the mom and pop stores too, the personal touch, service, and friendliness is unmatched.

Dave
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If You Are Not the Lead SAW, All You Get is SAWdust!!

Edited on 7/17/2003 1:06 AM

This board is a place of barter. So Saw this seems completely normal. If this person could get you come down just a dollar he made a better deal and feel better about it. Just as most try to do when acquiring items outside of established stores. The art of bartering is still alive in America and when you have people come together to trade and sell items then this is the natural occurrence of getting the best deal. It goes with the territory. How often do you see in the Want-ads here at BR "make me an offer". Don't be offended, you are in barter town.

This is business, it should not be taken so personal. I have seen 15 cent items bartered down to 10 cent at flee markets. It is about money, partly but mostly about making a good deal. (A slap in the face to me if he countered with a 40 dollar offer instead.)
But let us suppose he had a ball you wanted and offered it up for trade instead of money but wanted 10 dollars to call it even. Would you not countered his offer? The particulars of how the money gets broken down is not the concern of the buyer. The final cost from the seller compared to another seller is.
So the business transaction you have taken on is very open for bartering. It can and will be counter offered often.