"You take a dallah!"

“You take a dallah? I give you a dallah? You pay me twenty dallah cleaning fee for this…”

This from our recent Facebook post about a Boone yard sale “regular” who arrives at every sale loud and demanding, and wears down the seller until they will do anything to get her off their property.

Not good form. And we can’t help but speculate that this person is a “flipper”, that is someone who buys cheap and sells the goods somewhere else (flea market, Ebay?).

And this is certainly NOT in the spirit of what Secondhand Rosies embrace as joyful, creative hunting with opportunities to forge new friendships along the way.

But can you bargain? Oh, YES! And here are some tips:

*Don’t expect to get the best bargains during the first hour of the sale. That Felix the Cat clock you eye at 8:01 a.m.? You just may have to pay full price.

*Sometimes the seller is parting with an item of sentimental value, and if you show a real love and appreciation for that item the seller may let it go for less. It’s happened to me, and I’ve always promised the seller that it will be well loved in its new home.

*It never hurts to say “Will you take…..” All they can say is “no”, or make you a counter offer. Know when to stop if the seller seems reluctant. If you want it that badly pay the price.

*If the sale is raising funds for a worthy cause wait until the organization lowers the prices. Our “karmic” rule of giving back.

*Best time to bargain would be the last hour of a sale. It is then that you can often offer a ridiculous amount and have it accepted. Most sellers do not want to pack up the merchandise.

*Clothing is often the easiest item that you can barter. And if you find a little tear or stain it should be expected that the seller will reduce the price.

*Never, ever, ever, use the phrase “Jew down”. Bad form, culturally insensitive, and bully like. “Will you take……or what will you take” a much softer forms of approaching a deal.

*Know when to walk away. Last year, close to noon on a hot summer day, I offered a group of young women 50 cents for the paperbacks they were selling for $1 each. No deal they say. I leave, shaking my head. Our public library sells used paperbacks for 50 cents. Rosie W.