To Bargain or not to Bargain... - Page 5

TAPPY · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryberg

Me, too!

Me three.
and pleasssse dont mention Mr Moore :p

If you like heated politcal threads head on over to the Lonely Planet Travel Board....they got some fruits-n-nuts on that one !!!!

From all over the world....kinda makes you appreciate your own little corner of the planet !!!!

**sctx** · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtm1631

Why was this within her rights? The fact that a person has the ability to open their mouth and ask a question does not mean they have the right to ask the question. The example of sexual harassment that Steve gave while extreme is a perfect example. There are numerous examples of questions that can be asked but are inappropriate.

I would equate this to my going to the grocery store, having the cashier ring up all of my items and then ask for a 10% discount. A grocery store is just not an appropriate store (in the US at least) to try and negotiate a price.

Apparently the lady was dealing directly with the owner or general manager because a business decision was made to grant her request... which could have been just a tongue in cheek comment that was rewarded by the owner with a small discount, it may have totally suprised the lady.... I would be more inclined to say the pharmacist is ripping of the general public if he can whack 10% off without thinking about it. I negotiate alot of $100k-$250k deals and would never give up 10%, not even 5%, because my profit margin is too tight in a competitive construction market... which is why I say the owner is overcharging in the first place... just as the Tequila barrel is because they give me 25% off just for having James' Playadeal card.
I think Saturn is a great example of determing your market place and business philosophy... thats the price, take it or not, they do not compete against themselves

Rissask · 09-09-2004

Well.... I don't really want to listen to 'spewers' or 'fruits'n'nuts' though! I thought maybe some interesting conversations about everyday average people with average intelligence- you know, like you guys!

(Tappy-I may be liberal but Moore is a little too over the top, even for me!)

Avalon · 09-09-2004

Wow this thread has come a long way. I think it's interesting to see how diverse our opinions are, and most of us are sure that ours is the right one. Isn't that wonderful?

TAPPY · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

Well.... I don't really want to listen to 'spewers' or 'fruits'n'nuts' though! I thought maybe some interesting conversations about everyday average people with average intelligence- you know, like you guys!

(Tappy-I may be liberal but Moore is a little too over the top, even for me!)

That is putting a lot of pressure on us !!!!

I have to admit - it is fun to go over to that board and post something and then watch the replies......it does make you appreciate all the great folks on this site....

But...... back to the orignal thread topic....I dont think there is a right or wrong answer, sort of like tipping at an AI, it is a personal choice with alot of "what ifs" to factor into the situation.

Nerak936 · 09-09-2004

As far I know, freedom of speech is still a right of the people in the USA. In Mexico too, I hope?? If you ask for a discount cuz you're buying in quantity, you might come off as greedy or frugal or being a good shopper. But freedom of speech gives you the RIGHT to ask it. If you ask for a discount at your local grocery store, you might come off as a total moron who gets laughed out of the store by the cashiers. But freedom of speech gives you the RIGHT to ask it. Hardly the same as verbal sexual harassment .... there's a whole different "power" thing happening in that kind of situation. No one's rights are being threatened by someone asking for a discount.

Long live freedom of speech and the wonderful debates that can result therefrom!!

(this HAS been kinda fun!!!)

Nerak936 · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

Okay, I overreacted, I apologize Karen.

It is RUDE, as I said, but she certainly has the RIGHT to ask....I hardly think it is comparable to telling someone they have nice tits or something do you?

Rissask: Apology not necessary but appreciated.

As for your last sentence.... it made me think......

If someone told me I had nice tits right before they asked me for a 10% discount, would I be considered to be an immoral, unethical SOB if I increased it to 20%???

StephenB · 09-09-2004

Dos mas centavos: I would like to hear from the folks who have been visiting Mexico for at least 10 years. It has always been my understanding both through conversation and through practice that reasonable bargaining is not only acceptable, but expected. I am not just refering to PDC, but the country in general. Mabey Gerardo can comment on this. I am not talking about "in your face" rude behavior, but rather the time honored tradition of getting the price down to where the seller is ready to part with the item. I can promise you that nobody in Mexico (or anywhere else in the world) is going to sell you an item for less than cost! I agree that it is a personal matter between the parties and something that cannot be reduced to socio-economic fodder. My buddies in Mexico tell me that some vendors actually find it amusing and odd that many tourist don't engage in a little good natured haggling. I bet the shopkeeper had more respect for the lil old lady because she had the brass to ask for a discount.

**sctx** · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenB

Dos mas centavos: I would like to hear from the folks who have been visiting Mexico for at least 10 years. It has always been my understanding both through conversation and through practice that reasonable bargaining is not only acceptable, but expected. I am not just refering to PDC, but the country in general. .

In some areas in the Middle East, it almost rude not to bargain.

jtm1631 · 09-09-2004

I'm all for freedom of speech, I'm just not sure that asking for a discount in a store falls under this category.

I remember hearing a saying once "You're right to do what you want ends where my line of sight begins"

There are also some cases where freedom of speedh can have some potentially negative impacts. A current example is internet access in a public library. Some libraries have tried to block access to certain internet sites (predominately pornographic sites) because of the public location of the computer terminals. The argument being made is that it would be a violation of freedom of speech to block any internet sites on a publicly funded computer terminal. This is a tough subject to be sure. You really don't want people to have pornographic web sites up on a computer terminal in a public library where young children could see the information. I also have a hard time with letting the library determine which web sites somebody can access from the public library because once you open the door to censorship, where does it stop?

**sctx** · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtm1631

because once you open the door to censorship, where does it stop?

Yeah man... Tipper Gore scared the hell outta me too !!!

Nerak936 · 09-09-2004

C'mon!! We're not talking about publicly-funded computers here. We're talking about some lady in a Mexican pharmacy asking for a 10% discount. Sure, freedom of speech is wide-ranging.... but computers in a library and a lady speaking in a store are two entirely different scenarios.

jtm1631 · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

C'mon!! We're not talking about publicly-funded computers here. We're talking about some lady in a Mexican pharmacy asking for a 10% discount. Sure, freedom of speech is wide-ranging.... but computers in a library and a lady speaking in a store are two entirely different scenarios.

The computer library / freedom of speech example was not intended to show why the women should not have asked for a discount. It was merely an example of how freedom of speech can be a double edged sword.

Perhaps next time you are in PDC Nerak, you could ask for a discount on valium!

**sctx** · 09-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtm1631

Perhaps next time you are in PDC Nerak, you could ask for a discount on valium!

Damn... need to wrap this up, we're talking about drugs again

TAPPY · 09-09-2004

You mean they give discounts on Valium ? (Gosh I love Mexico) !!!

JT - play nice !!!!

Could be worse SCTX - we could be talking about Kerry !!!!!

09-09-2004	#75 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,898	You mean they give discounts on Valium ? (Gosh I love Mexico) !!! JT - play nice !!!! Could be worse SCTX - we could be talking about Kerry !!!!! Last edited by TAPPY; 09-09-2004 at 05:21 PM..

09-09-2004	#63 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 32,804	Well.... I don't really want to listen to 'spewers' or 'fruits'n'nuts' though! I thought maybe some interesting conversations about everyday average people with average intelligence- you know, like you guys! (Tappy-I may be liberal but Moore is a little too over the top, even for me!)

09-09-2004	#64 (permalink)
Avalon beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 270	Wow this thread has come a long way. I think it's interesting to see how diverse our opinions are, and most of us are sure that ours is the right one. Isn't that wonderful?

09-09-2004	#66 (permalink)
Nerak936 Kitty Mama & Proud of It! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 20,769	As far I know, freedom of speech is still a right of the people in the USA. In Mexico too, I hope?? If you ask for a discount cuz you're buying in quantity, you might come off as greedy or frugal or being a good shopper. But freedom of speech gives you the RIGHT to ask it. If you ask for a discount at your local grocery store, you might come off as a total moron who gets laughed out of the store by the cashiers. But freedom of speech gives you the RIGHT to ask it. Hardly the same as verbal sexual harassment .... there's a whole different "power" thing happening in that kind of situation. No one's rights are being threatened by someone asking for a discount. Long live freedom of speech and the wonderful debates that can result therefrom!! (this HAS been kinda fun!!!)

09-09-2004	#68 (permalink)
StephenB añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York State Posts: 5,294	Dos mas centavos: I would like to hear from the folks who have been visiting Mexico for at least 10 years. It has always been my understanding both through conversation and through practice that reasonable bargaining is not only acceptable, but expected. I am not just refering to PDC, but the country in general. Mabey Gerardo can comment on this. I am not talking about "in your face" rude behavior, but rather the time honored tradition of getting the price down to where the seller is ready to part with the item. I can promise you that nobody in Mexico (or anywhere else in the world) is going to sell you an item for less than cost! I agree that it is a personal matter between the parties and something that cannot be reduced to socio-economic fodder. My buddies in Mexico tell me that some vendors actually find it amusing and odd that many tourist don't engage in a little good natured haggling. I bet the shopkeeper had more respect for the lil old lady because she had the brass to ask for a discount.

09-09-2004	#70 (permalink)
jtm1631 añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,446	I'm all for freedom of speech, I'm just not sure that asking for a discount in a store falls under this category. I remember hearing a saying once "You're right to do what you want ends where my line of sight begins" There are also some cases where freedom of speedh can have some potentially negative impacts. A current example is internet access in a public library. Some libraries have tried to block access to certain internet sites (predominately pornographic sites) because of the public location of the computer terminals. The argument being made is that it would be a violation of freedom of speech to block any internet sites on a publicly funded computer terminal. This is a tough subject to be sure. You really don't want people to have pornographic web sites up on a computer terminal in a public library where young children could see the information. I also have a hard time with letting the library determine which web sites somebody can access from the public library because once you open the door to censorship, where does it stop?

09-09-2004	#72 (permalink)
Nerak936 Kitty Mama & Proud of It! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 20,769	C'mon!! We're not talking about publicly-funded computers here. We're talking about some lady in a Mexican pharmacy asking for a 10% discount. Sure, freedom of speech is wide-ranging.... but computers in a library and a lady speaking in a store are two entirely different scenarios.

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