Thread: Antique shop negotiations

I will first look at the price to see if it is even near the range of what I usually like to pay (< $20) because unless the seller is feeling extremely generous, I've never negotiated more than a 40% discount. Once you get past the starting price, inspect the razor to make sure it is something that is at least salvageable. If the price and condition stipulations are met then you can being negotiating.

First ask the seller what they would take for it. Usually they will ask you what the tag says and then knock off a few bucks. Then you can counter offer "Ah that's a little out of my budget, will you take X.XX for it?". Your starting amount can't be so low that they think you're just trying to walk out without paying them but you should give enough room where they can counter and reach an amount between the two that you feel comfortable paying. Here's an example: Let's say it's a 5/8 heavy grind Sheffield razor with some rust spots on the spine and tang, but the manufacturer stamp is still intact (not a W&B hyped manufacturer) and the edge is clear of pitting. The scales are probably horn and have some bites out of them but aren't cracked. The price tag says $30. After asking for the price the seller knocks it down to $25. You counter with $17 because it does have some ugly rust, will need some experienced restoration on the scales, and to be repinned after being taken down. The seller offers an even $20 and you've just negotiated a 33% discount. I can honestly say this is how the vast majority of my completed sales have gone down at flea markets and individually owned antique stores. If the seller's counter ($20 example) is too high or they completely scoff at my offer, I will immediately say thank you and walk away.

As was mentioned before, antique malls where the item owner is not present (or may have given a 15% discount to all the items in their booth already) it will be very hard to negotiate. I have had instances where the antique mall owners called the booth owner to do a little haggling, but it usually didn't result in much of a discount. There will also definitely be times when you find someone who is a "collector" and not a "salesman", at which point, negotiation may result in a couple bucks off but they value their items much higher because of the intrinsic value it holds for them. Try not to deal with these people unless they have your holy grail of straight razors sitting in their cabinet in very good condition.

I also use the bulk discount tactic sometimes as long as the average price for all of the items comes out to something I am willing to pay for each. A $20 strop in dirty but uncut/nicked condition was discounted to $15 immediately. Throw in two razors originally priced at $16 for the pair, and suddenly the total price is $25. Wonky math right?

I find negotiating to be almost as fun as hunting for the shaving gear in the first place.

Monty Python - Life of Brian - The Haggle scene - YouTube

It works both ways with me. I am not averse to making an offer, OTOH, depends on what it is , and how bad I want it. Whatever it is, I keep my cards close to my vest and never exhibit excitement.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

It works both ways with me. I am not averse to making an offer, OTOH, depends on what it is , and how bad I want it. Whatever it is, I keep my cards close to my vest and never exhibit excitement.

I made that mistake once. The guy had me. I knew it. But I still walked out of there with some money left. In the end he really gave me a decent price.

I say " I'll give ya 20" . If not, I walk away and I mean it! . Most I see are not worth much more!

I've only ever tried to haggle over one razor, and the guy who owned the razor and the antique store wasn't having it. He was convinced that the razor in question was worth far more than I was willing to pay. It had some rust on the bevel and I wasn't going to be able to be sure how much grinding it would take to fix it until I got home with it. I tried to explain that I wasn't buying it to turn around and resell it, and that I wanted it to use it, but I wasn't going to pay what he wanted because it wasn't worth it to me. Long story short, I walked away and as far as I know the razor is still in his case.