MovieChat Forums > Oddities (2010) Discussion > I know they are running a business but.....

I know they are running a business but...

posted 12 years ago by rainbowdreamer21-136-840047
36 replies | jump to latest

They really do screw people over on the money end of things. Seriously a 2 headed kitten $500.00 you have got to be kidding me. They will feel a person out and then sock it to them for junk mostly. Yes i know one mans junk is another... blah blah blah. The reality of the show is that they are basically screwing these people over. Some of what they sell might be worth it but generally not.
It is neat to see the things that people bring in or buy and to see the odd characters that come and go and to watch these people with a straight face entertain the oddness. But as soon as they give a price i want to slap them.

I also think its absurd that someone will come in there and they will for instance say I have a 500.00 budget please help me find this. THey will then go find said item for maybe 300.00 and then come back and be like yah we found it but it cost more than we were expecting its gonna cost you 900.00 they are freaking crooks. Or if its gonna cost more than the budget call them and tell them first get permission before putting them in a spot like that.
Not to mention if your scamming people for all that money change your freaking clothes dang.

[–] Phoenixcasa 12 years ago

I understand where you are coming from. I felt the same way with Pawn Stars till they explained why the prices are so high. They have overhead. Think of rent, utilities, insurance, employees, gas they use to drive around to places, items they find out are fakes, items that don't sell, items that need restoration, ect.
Not to mention they still need to make a profit for their own pockets.

[–] streetriots 12 years ago

After learning about how much they make per episode I hate when they use overhead as an excuse.

[–] molarmaven59 12 years ago

Dear makemebadk:

That is the business that they had handed to them on a golden platter. (Regarding "Pawn Stars").

Gee really!

BOO-HOO!

"]"]">"]"]

[–] fourstringdrums 12 years ago

You obviously know nothing about retail and running a business.

[–] rainbowdreamer21-136-840047 12 years ago

You are obviously not seeing past your own giant ass head to see what my point was. You apparently find it just to try and call me stupid instead of reading what my issue is with.

[–] cgsofwa 12 years ago

The value of something is set at whatever someone is willing to pay. The two headed cat may not be worth $500.00 to you but it is to someone else so why should they lower the price? If you had a pop tart that someone was willing to spend $1000.00 on would you say "Woah! This thing is only worth $1.00 and I won't take a penny more!" As far as them going over a clients budget, the client isn't obligated to buy the item, period. When they go over a budget they know full well that they may end up getting stuck with that item.

[–] rainbowdreamer21-136-840047 12 years ago

i see your point but i still think they are crooks

[–] EtaoinShrdlu001 8 years ago

I know I'm joining this convo late. Sorry. Many times I've seen them have a price in mind, and the seller is loathe to part with the item, let's say Larks Tongue in Aspic, unless he get $475 of the $500 the customer set aside. Mike/Evan must take a chance, or leave and don't buy. There are times when it's smart to walk, but then they have Nothing to sell to Cust X. Cust X is sad, and leaves. Forever.

Or, they go for the Larks Tongue @475. Know they have something, but must sell for higher. (Everyone has own formula: 150-200% is actually low. Macy's a overage markup is 800%*)
So, small shop must sell the Lark's Tongue for $8-900. Problem: Client says No, and Mike/Evan are out all they spent. Or, as usual, it's all negociated. Customer expects to haggle.
Everyone is happy.
Yes it cost more, but there is a much higher risk it won't ever sell,

Here's who I hate: "American Pickers". These guys search through people's basements, garages, etc. and say "How much for this scratched up old beer sign?"
"How bout $10?", says old junk collector. Picker: "No, no, no, $3.00 is best I can swing. It's bent scratched, how bout $4?, I'll take both of them for $8, but that's the best I can do. "
Old man: "Oh, ok, I guess."

Them they take their loot and hold stuff up to the camera and say, "We got these 2 1860 KrankKase beer trays for $8.00, but I know a collecror who'll give me $175 apiece for them!" Good Pick! High Five Partner!

Picker knew sign was worth $175.00, but he still has to haggle the guy out of $20 (10 each) and only gives him $8.00. And BRAGS about ripping an old poor dude off.

The guy said $10 ea. Pickers could have said 10 ea? I'll take it. Then it wouldn't be a rip.
Even better to say, "$10? No! They're better than that, here's 20.each."
But to know you're making $350 and still haggle down is disgraceful.

I Hate American Pickers!

You Fill Me with Inertia.

[–] molarmaven59 12 years ago

cgsofwa:

For once I would love to see that!

Do they drawup a contract, regarding "custom" orders?

[–] Balcones 11 years ago

I am intrigued by this pop tart you are selling, but I do not want to pay $1000. Would you take say, $500 for it?

[–] cgsofwa 10 years ago

I am intrigued by this pop tart you are selling, but I do not want to pay $1000. Would you take say, $500 for it?

I would have gladly taken $500 for my pop tart. However, seeing as it is now almost two years old, I couldn't in good conscience take more than $175.

[–] Balcones 10 years ago

That sounds fair.
:)

[–] cgsofwa 10 years ago

I'm sorry, I set the pop tart out for Santa on Christmas Eve. I need to start checking this thread more often to avoid these types of snafu's. :)

[–] Balcones 10 years ago

That would explain the half eaten pop tart I found in my stocking.

[–] cgsofwa 10 years ago

That would explain the half eaten pop tart I found in my stocking.

He really is a jolly, and generous, old elf. I'm glad he shared it with you because it truly was a superb pop tart.

[–] eoin_mclove 12 years ago

I haven't seen them not go over budget for their customers yet. If you ever want them to find something you should tell them your budget is about $500 less than what your actual budget is. As far as paying $500 for a two headed kitten, come on where else are these people going to go for these unique items? They sell antiques at their store which aren't cheap and they sell items most people have never seen before and will never see again.

[–] TimmyAnn 12 years ago

If you have the only grocery store in miles and you sell a loaf of bread for $10, then you are a crook. If you are selling things people do not need, they just want, you can charge them whatever the hell price they are willing to pay you. These aren't necessities. That person didn't have to spend $500 for a two headed kitten, she wanted it and apparently has enough disposable income to waste it on silly stuff.

I do not have attention deficit disor...Ooh, look at the bunny!

[–] cjcloudyday 12 years ago

If you're doing all the "leg work"(going here,there searching for an item),you deserve alittle extra profit.

[–] ArizonaKnightWolf 12 years ago

Ever hear of an economic principle called "SUPPLY AND DEMAND"? If the people want something, they are going to pay for it. The rarer the item, the more they are willing to pay. I mean, it's not like you can go into Walmart and buy a real taxidermy two headed cat.

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Intellect and Romance Triumph Over Brute Force and Cynicism

[–] spliffrollasparxx26 12 years ago

Oh yeah I forgot 2 headed cats sell at target for $19.99. Anyways all the things they sell are not common and generally they are hard to find. If someone is willing to spend such amount for something they don't need that does not meet the sellers are crooks. This isn't a bank where you have no choice, you can walk away from buying whatever item. By the way don't run a shop where you can bargain, EVER please.

Think for yourself, question authority.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] tmbaker100 12 years ago

I see the point you're trying to get at but what is that you think would make them not "crooks"? Do you want them to operate a store where they buy and sell items for face value while losing money on overhead? The store wouldn't be around very long with that model. I think what you want is a museum not a retail store.

[–] rhoover62 12 years ago

One of the things I have a problem with is that some items they sell they don't have a clue about. For instance, the old braces and artificial limbs they sell. I happen to be in the orthotic and prosthetic business and I know what they actually have. Most of these things aren't as old as they make them out to be. These things are worn everyday and not by the most hygienic people. And just because its got some rust and old nasty leather doesn't mean its an "antique". People bring this junk in my office all the time because Uncle Joe died and they don't know what to do with it. We take it in the back and toss it right in the trash can. These people live by the old saying "A fool and his money are soon parted".

[–] gb120566 12 years ago

The law of economic pricing is very simple - "The maximum amount someone is willing and able to pay" It is up to no one but the buyer to determine and choose the price, if there are no buyers at their price, they will lower it.

The only way they would be crooks is if they stole the merchandise, or sold fakes. Otherwise, its simple economics. Also, if its not fair, just who gets to determine just what IS fair?