Antique Shiny Brite Ornaments

Here is a quick post about expanding my collection of Shiny Brite ornaments for our tree this year and some tips for bargaining at local antique shops.

                                      

I set out looking for more blue and silver ornaments.  I prefer the Shiny Brites that have been worn a little.  I found some but they were mixed in with a bunch of other ornaments in two separate containers.   

Though I don't often haggle at antique stores unless there is an item I really want to purchase and there is a flaw or issues with the price, I just had to ask the nice women at the desk if they would be willing to strike a deal. 

Tip:  Don't be afraid to ask if they can negotiate something, this is something I have learned over the years and if you do ask, learn when to use this judiciously.  If you roll into the same store every few months and try to haggle down prices, they will not do you favors.  I think I have only asked once in each of about 5 separate stores over the course of almost 6 years.   If you frequent a store and make reasonable purchases often enough, they will be willing to work with you.  

The ladies at the desk were initially skeptical that the seller would go for a deal but they offered to call him anyways.

Tip: Be reasonable.  Everyone wants to walk out with a good deal, but the buyer, seller, and the store that gets commission should all feel the deal is fair.

Initially I offered to pay 10 bucks for the ornaments I wanted (silver and blue) from each bag, there were about 10 total.  I then offered to leave the remainder of the bags to be re-priced so that the seller would be able to make a reasonable profit on the left over.  Luckily the seller was fine with this arrangement but there was a miscommunication while she was on the phone and she had suggested $4 for the ornaments I wanted from each of the bags, making the total $8!  Here is a picture of just one of them, this was one of the larger ornaments and it's almost too large, even for our tree!

Tip: Thank them for trying or if they are able to negotiate the price change.  Don't forget your manners, people remember if you don't have them.  Especially if this is a store you frequent, you'll be happy you kept up with social graces for your next trips.

I ended up with all the ornaments I asked for and everyone was happy.  Now I have some great ornaments for the tree this year to add to the collection!