Stamp Buying Etiquette?

Had an errand in town this afternoon, so stopped by the remaining stamp shop -- turned junk shop -- in our area. Loads of albums from what mostly looked like beginners that never really got started years ago, but I found a stock book up on the shelves that had material that at least, in part, went beyond the beginner stage. I brought the thing up to him, and he went over it page by page, then counted the pages and gave me a price. I looked it over again, and figuring he probably built in some haggling room offered him 25% less at which point he blew up in my face and told me to put it back up on the shelf, never do that again because it demeans me. That he's been at this almost forever and knows what the stuff was worth, etc. I apologized, explained I don't usually go out buying such things and asked him whether or not he wanted to sell it. He repeated his price so I paid him the money and brought it home.

He did have a smaller stock book with some U.S. I thought I might look into, but while outdoors firing up the grill this evening, it struck me that this guy was just a bullying jerk. He could have declined the offer in a more civilized manner instead of berating me. In fact, I really don't want to go back there again. Let his business Die In Peace (DIP).

I'm not a show goer or shop goer, and at the few garage sales I've visited, have on all but one occasion payed the asking price, no questions asked. So for you show goers who buy their stamps on other than the Internet, is it good etiquette to haggle in the stamp marketplace? Do you make deals at shows or just take it or leave it?

I never pay the asking price at shows.

However, there are a few
dealers, that take care of me, when they tally up my purchases,
and I make sure that I pay them a visit at each show.

If the total comes between 11 and 14 bucks, they tell me "give me ten"

If it comes between 16-19 bucks, I'll take 15 bucks

Bob, of course there is this example you posted in another thread that just came to mind.

Hi Mod.....

I've purchased at shows and in stores all over the country and I have never asked for a discount. Many sellers will give a discount after a few purchases, from a few dollars up to 25%, one gave me 30% off consistently after several years of steady buys. Some sellers never give anyone any discount.

With that said, I have also heard many prices that made me just want to back away slowly........some sellers have recognised that look in my eye and immediately undercut their price. Some just waved as I edged my way to the door.

Like you I think the guy could have been a lot nicer about it and if it were me, I'd never go back there either. But, I would not give up on every seller just because of one poor encounter.

It is never against the rules to make a counter offer. I've done it with stamp dealers and retailers numerous times. I've even made offers to pay less for display electronics at Walmart and had my offer accepted. It has been my experience that when items are marked with a price, the dealer will add up the total on the low side like Bob posted. In that case, I won't quibble.

That said, it is also never OK to be a jerk. All he had to do was say "No thank you," or make a counter offer. I would never go back there, and I'd let him know it! Maybe that's why his place is not a junk shop!

There was no reason for blowing up, A " No, thanks for the offer, but it is not what I need" would have done as well, but some people were born with a chip on their shoulder or it was a bad karma day for him. Next time , give the offer first and let him decide whether to turn it down or not. Then you get the chance to correct his attitude ( good karma for you). .

I have had 21 calls today about my rentals, and everything from a person with 2 half-wolves, one with outstanding warrants, to an " abuse protection agency" person for a studio apt. Only the last was sent an application. My wife & friends wondered why I was in an irritable mood this evening. Sometimes people do that to you. As a reward, I am going to photograph some new cards and covers I received today.
Will post later.

Jim

At stamp shows I pick out the items I'm interested in and then ask "what do you need for those." I usually get about a 15-25% discount. If the discount is less than 15%, then I counter offer at about a 15-20% discount. Usually the dealer says OK, or we meet at a price in between. This doesn't seem to surprise any dealers and they never get mad at me. However I don't try to get more than a 25% discount.

I would guess he is having trouble making ends meet and just took it out on you. High energy and food prices are stressing people out.

Looking forward to seeing what you got!

The junk shop owner sounds like a jerk and I may have had to have my say in exchange but then that may have made me a jerk..if a man does not want to barter..he can say..thats my price..and a lot of times they do...i understand that !

Thanks for everyone's input. There is a stamp show being planned for our area for this coming autumn. I'll be prepared with these tips and strategies. Wonder if our local yokel will have a table?

Modern_Who

How far are you from Clayton, New York ?

This show is advertising 200 tables

http://www.stampshows.com/clayton_afs.html

Bob, Clayton is about 125 miles away as the crow flies. So maybe 150 using roads. It's just a little town whose existence seems to center around tourism for the St. Lawrence - Thousand Islands region. It's been a while since I've been up that way so I can't remember whether it was Clayton or Alexandria Bay that put out most of the boat tours. There's supposed to be a show in Cooperstown, too, another tourist area which is closer so will probably a lot of tables, but my traveling days are over. My wife is pretty much an invalid and I can only leave her alone a few hours at a time, usually while she is asleep.

Whoa, this is hard to believe..200 tables..that would be some event for a small town like Clayton...of course you would pull the Canadian collectors over from Kingston and Belleville !!

Larry, Clayton had the classic boat show..it was our first trip up to the thosand islands and over to Kingson a few years ago..i am not into boats but they had some beautiful looking wooden boats from back before the fiberglass days .

Phil, am not into boats, either, but went to one of those myself a long time ago. Nice looking wooden craft.