Buying second hand jewellery - haggling?

Stheno

Hey,

I think this is probably the best fit for my question.

Anyway, I've recently discovered a lovely jewellery store who sell a mix of new and antique jewellery that is unusual, I could literally go in there every week and see something I like.

I've bought a few pieces (three in total) and it seems perfectly normal to have a bit of a haggle but I'm a bit astounded at how much haggling seems to go on.

Of the three pieces, I bought two which were a few hundred euro each and accepted the first discount I was offered.

The third piece was much more expensive and the Oh was buying it for me as a gift and haggled a 25% discount.

Is this normal, and do people in the trade expect this level of negotiating?

I'm asking as this will be a shop I will be going back to repeatedly and whilst I don't want to do them out of business I'd like to understand the boundaries.

TIA

Del.Monte

I doubt that they will go out of business and haggling (what's your best price etc) is traditional in the secondhand/antique trade. If you don't ask...

Some tips from my guide to collecting - both sides of the counter are covered.

ANTIQUE DEALERS – What they really mean.

• A touch of worm. Infested. Liable to disintegrate if you examine it too closely.
• One or two later additions. This piece is made up from various bits and pieces that I had lying around the workshop.
• Beautifully restored. Heavily restored.
• Nothing wrong with it that can’t be put right. Beyond economic repair, otherwise we would have done it ourselves.
• I admit it’s not cheap. It’s not cheap.
• Rare. I had a similar one last month.
• Mint. I defy you to spot what’s wrong with it.
• I will willingly buy it back from you at any time. Except the precise moment you decide to return it.
• The frame is original. Be thankful for small mercies.
• I hate to part with it. I will be across in the local celebrating the moment you are round the corner.

It’s not all one way traffic and the unfortunate dealer has to put up with a lot from the public too:

THE PUBLIC – What they really mean.

• No please don’t hold it for me, I’ll just take my chance on it being here when I come back. I have no intention of coming back for it.
• We’re just looking thank you. We are complete time-wasters.
• Can you tell me the price of that piece in the window? I have one just like it and I am dying to know what it’s worth.
• Don’t worry I am quite happy looking around on my own. I am a shoplifter.
• What’s your best price? I love a good haggle. When I have beaten you down to rock bottom I shall look at my watch and say “Oh my God, is that the time” and disappear out of the shop.

Stheno

Del.Monte wrote: »

I doubt that they will go out of business and haggling (what's your best price etc) is traditional in the secondhand/antique trade. If you don't ask...

Some tips from my guide to collecting - both sides of the counter are covered.

ANTIQUE DEALERS – What they really mean.

• I admit it’s not cheap. It’s not cheap. It wasn't but it was worth it, I love it, with all antiques I adopt this adage, it was worth what we paid
  
  THE PUBLIC – What they really mean.
  
  • No please don’t hold it for me, I’ll just take my chance on it being here when I come back. I have no intention of coming back for it. I knew I wanted it and went back as i had to pick up another piece
  • What’s your best price? I love a good haggle. When I have beaten you down to rock bottom I shall look at my watch and say “Oh my God, is that the time” and disappear out of the shop. Not sure on this, I bought two pieces on this basis from that store, and the big purchase today, maybe because we'd been there before

I lolled and just to give my experience, put in comments above. This store has become my go to place for jewellery, I like statement jewellery that is one off and regular stores never have what I like.