Friday, November 2, 2007

Musing of the Non-Conforntational

I'm a non-confrontational type of girl (who was born to a mother who loves to barter, this could be the reason for my stance)...Yes, we often hear that "nice people never get ahead" but I want to let the blog world know that yesterday I did!
We were buying a treadmill (woo hoo) that had been gently used and she was offering a rice of $600. After some research I decided that yes, it was a good price, but it would be even better if it were $550. Instead of bartering with the other "nice" lady. I offered her this email:
Barb,
We would like to purchase the treadmill. I'm not very good at bartering so If you wanted to sell it for $550 we would love it, but if you still want $600 that's fine we'll take it. I like it when both sides get what they want and a great deal.
Just give me a call later when you get a chance to look for the manual and we can set a time to pick it up.
Thanks,

Her reply was:
$550.00 is fine.

This my friends, is the way I would would like to do business more often. You say what you want but there isn't the nasty little edge of "if you don't' like my price I won't take it" I love it when both people win.

Now, as of last night we now own a treadmill. I am very grateful for Ricky consenting to buying it because it means I can exercise in the afternoon while Poppy is sleeping (especially in the winter) rather than waking up at 6am to run in the freezing cold, dark morning!

I do love to run outside, but that's when the sun is shining and I can see the ground I am running on.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes...

6 comments:

Rach said...

Jealous! I'd love above anything right now a treadmill for exactly the reasons you named. But a bunkbed and matresses are what our discretionary spending will be on this year...

Tanner's Tales said...

We just bought a treadmill today too! I am excited to not have to wake up at 5:30 to go run, because, lets face it, I'm just not very good at it, and I can run at night when Willie is sleeping and Reed is at work. It is our Christmas present (yes, a little early, but it's the only way I could justify it.) Have fun running! (if you can on a treadmill!)

Traci said...

Way to win the barter!!! Congrats on the treadmill.

OW said...

Letty, Tanners--I do understand that they make great clothes hangers and such...

Jen said...

i would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have my own treadmill! :) i fear that my dog and little one would be taking it over though...
i've finally stopped running in the dark (even with a headlamp) and have instead started hoping the rec center keeps the 5:30am thing going into spring semester...

mummy said...

was the treadmill for your birthday? Rick was in a stupor of what to get. My suggestions weren't very good either. Grandma has an exercycle that has for 30 years been an excellent clothes rack. We did have a nordic track once upon a time but actually wore it out. Now its parts are strewn about. One ski ended up holding rocks for the pond the other is olding a temporary curtain in the bedroom. The free wheel is being saved, for we might need it for something someday.