Annoying bargaining when selling antiques

Kindness and generosity are their own reward. Learning about random acts of kindness makes most people's hearts swell with joy.

Rare indeed is the person who's never been the recipient of unexpected, undeserved, unearned kindness or generosity.

With that, I'm done explaining my position.
 

I wouldn't walk into an antique store and try to haggle on price. That would be rude. The flea market is different, haggling is expected. I won't haggle over an item that's a few dollars, however, if something is marked $100.00, I might nicely ask, "Do you think you could do a little better on the price?" As I ask, I'm holding cash in my hand. It helps if they can see your money. :)

I remember an instance when my husband and I were at a flea market that we regularly frequented. I was in a tent that was selling women's accessories and looking at belts. There were no prices on the merchandise. The vendor had just sold the belt I was looking at for $10.00. He had several others just like it. A couple of minutes later, I handed the same belt to the vendor, and he told me it was $20.00. I very loudly said, "You just sold this belt to that woman, pointing at her, for $10.00!" He looked sheepish, stammered around, and then sold it to me for $10.00.

When we left the tent, my husband said the vendor sized me up and decided I looked like he could charge me more. I don't think that's uncommon, and often that's why items aren't priced. It costs whatever the traffic will bear.

Bella ✌️
 
My grandma had a perpetual garage sale and she also didn't put prices on her things. She did exactly what you mentioned - sized people up and charged accordingly.

No matter what price is on something, people want it for at least half. However, if I double what I want, the price would be so high that no one would want it.
 

Nip it in the bud. Can you add the word "FIRM," after the price? Or "final price," or whatever wording conveys the same meaning in your neck of the woods.

And/or emphasize this before people come over to look at the item. Example: "Just so we're clear, the price is not negotiable. I wouldn't want you to come all this way, with the wrong expectation."
 
I put a sign out - Prices are non-negotiable until after 1 pm Sunday. It's usually the first customer of the day that wants the biggest discount. I tell them to come back the next day and if I still have it, I'll be willing to bargain. Two things usually happen - they buy it or they walk away never to be seen again.
 
I observe what's going on around me and how vendors respond to and deal with potential customers. If I see that they're willing to fairly negotiate, I'm more likely to purchase from them. I understand if the price is firm and they're not willing to negotiate. That's fine. If I think it's fair and I really want it, I'll buy it.
 
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