We were at the state fair a couple of weeks ago. There was a booth with items from Africa. They are purchased straight from the people who make them and I thought that was great as a means of supporting them. Beautiful items at not outrageous prices. My daughter got a one of a kind snake skin purse (it's so cool!) for about $55. Her boyfriend got a collectible knife, not sure how much he paid. I fell in love with this beautiful bracelet for $24. Didn't get it, but couldn't get it out of my mind either. After seeing all of the fair, we returned to the booth, and it was still there (it was also one of a kind). The native African tending the booth, said, "it is calling your name. How about if I give it to you for $20?) Now it would probably never occurred to me to bargain. He said to me, "that's right, in your country you don't barter." I love my new bracelet.
Oh and I got a new washer two weeks ago. The delivery team had a new guy, first day on the job, and he dents the front of the washer by hitting my daughter's car mirror. He hides, while the experienced guy apologizes and tells me I can have 10% off or a new one. I said I would think about it. So the washer was on sale for $529, I believe. I called the delivery manager about it. He said, "how about $75 off?" I said, "how about $100?" and he said sure. Then my sales person calls to apologize and to get my credit card info to return and reprice. I explain how it happened, that the car mirror was hit and there was some white paint left on it. So he says, "did you ask for anything off for that? We can send someone out there to look at it." I hadn't even thought of that, it was so minor, so I said," oh, it's not worth it to have someone come out. How about another $25 for that?" Sure, he says, and I notice that when I receive the new receipt it was actually $30. So $130 off, the state of WA is offering a $150 rebate for purchasing a new high efficiency washer and there is some other rebate I think for $75. So a washer originally priced $699 is now I think less than $200 with one tiny dent I hardly notice. I'm happy, and it works terrific and it is so quiet! Yah!