The mountain top spot we’ve been visiting this week is near the quaint, historic town of Lexington,Virginia, home to Virginia Military Institute, Washington and Lee University and the Stonewall Jackson Museum and Tomb, among other historic sites. The downtown area has many cute antique and gift shops, so yesterday my BFF Luanne and her daughter and friend headed out sans babies and males to do some window shopping. We hit some bookstores, a coffee shop, and some gift shops and then wandered into an antique shop on Washington St. where a certain teapot caught Luanne’s eye.
“How much do you want for this teapot?” she innocently asked the man behind the counter.
“What?” he shot back sharply.
“Um…the teapot? How much do you want for it?”
He gave her a hard look, and then said, in the most pompous voice, “A lot of money.” (As in, “you couldn’t afford it so get out of my shop and quit wasting my time”.)
Rightfully offended, Lu said, “Well, how much is ‘a lot of money’?”
“A hundred and twenty-five dollars.”
He then started blowing some steam about the history of the teapot, but seriously, all Luanne could do was think of things to say to him that she is too nice to say.
After we quickly left the shop, she said, “I thought he was going to tell me seven or eight hundred dollars. I mean I assumed the thing was going to be over a hundred dollars! Do I look like I couldn’t give him $125??”
“No, you look totally HAWT and totally loaded,” I said, “he’s just a jerk.”
So, Mr. Antique-loving-Yankee-woman-hating-condescending-jerk, way to NOT sell yourself a teapot. Instead of making $125 yesterday, you lost a few customers with big mouths and a blog. I don’t know if you’re just emotionally attached to the teapot and want to snuggle up with it in your bed at night, or if you just hate people, or what, but I suggest you find a career that is not in retail (although I imagine you only get about five customers a day anyways). Maybe try eBay, where you don’t have to deal with customers face-to-face, or better yet, just build yourself a lean-to on the mountain and hermit up!
We’re gonna go hit the Hallmark next door and blow $125 on Webkinz and Yankee Candles. Smell ya later!
Don’t you feel better now?
That man was (IS) a jerk!
Yikes! What a jerk! And while $125 may be a lot for some people to spend on a “luxury,” it’s not that much for an antique. And honestly, in the bigger picture, it’s not much for an investment, etc. I have been treated that way many times when I go into an “expensive” store. Once at the Parisian, the saleswoman actually looked me up and down and said maybe I should try Sears! I’m neat and clean (and don’t smell,) but sometimes I guess people just figure you’re poorer than dirt if you don’t wear your best evening gown to go shopping!
Not that the guy deserved her money, but it almost would have been funny if your BFF exclaimed at how “cheap” it was and bought it!
Okay, just a thought, but maybe his tactic works. Like, Yeah you couldn’t afford it! And so the buyer comes back with, I can SO afford it and I’ll show ya! Plunk, $125. Who cares if she needs it? She showed him!!!
That’s the kinda mental stuff I would (and have) gotten sucked into.
Sounds like that scene from Pretty Woman. You guys should go look for a similar teapot and take it back to his store and serve him tea from it.
ALLISON – I WAS JUST THINKING PRETTY WOMAN! I love when she goes back in the store and says, BIG MISTAKE. Make that guy regret his attitude by shoving the webkinz and yankee candles in his face. Take that!