The early bird catches the worm

While we were in Melbourne, we took a look at the Queen Victoria market, not far from our hotel.  Because we were booked for the tennis, we were at the market around 7am to give ourselves time for a good look around.

The food and vegetable stalls were all open and displaying their wares, and if any food shop owners need some ideas on how to display fresh or processed produce, this is the place to find them.  Every display screamed out to the public “buy me.”  Past the food, in another building there was an endless display of clothing, jewellery, art, crafts and personal effects.  It was here that I was given a lesson by a very shrewd operator.

I was after a suitcase, because the one I brought to Australia came to grief shortly after arrival.  It wasn’t long before I found what I was looking for so I started negotiations, and successfully lowered the price from $220 to $110.  Immensely satisfied (and smug), I closed the deal and asked the stall holder to look after my purchase while I continued to browse.

About 15 minutes later, other shops started to open and there was the same suitcase I purchased on sale for $79.  I was more annoyed with myself than I was with the guy I paid $110 to.  And when I picked up my purchase I wasn’t angry – in fact after I pointed out that I could have bought it cheaper, I complemented the guy on making the best of his opportunity, because he was there, when the others weren’t.

The early bird caught the worm.  It just shows that if you keep your wits about you, you don’t have to be cheap.