My first trip to southern California was in 1994. While I was there I planned to spend a day in Tijuana, Mexico.
For those who have never been there it is a rather large city. It is presently the 6th largest city in Mexico with around 1.5 million people. When I was there I believe it was around a million. However even in downtown sections there would be stop signs at intersections and not traffic lights.
The rental company I was using for a car rental forbid you from taking their car into Mexico because of the potential driving hazards. So we took a bus across the border and wow was that a good idea. After seeing first hand the insanity of the driving habits I was happy I wasn't driving. And I had driven in Boston, NYC, Chicago, and lived outside of Philadelphia.
Nonetheless we enjoyed many things about Tijuana. Had some great Mexican food for one thing. We got to hear some cool live music also. However one of things you do in Tijuana is visit the shopping section and "haggle" or negotiate over products you may want to buy. There were a variety of different jewelry, clothing, and leather booths to browse.
At this one "store" I spotted this wonderfully made leather briefcase. Ironically before we left for our trip I was looking at one very similar for about $80. The price on this one said $30. I was sold right away. The proprietor sensed my interest and approached me. Now I have to be honest I love to save a buck but for some reason I was thinking "I"m on vacation and it is early in the day, I don't want to carry this around' and so on'. Just I was completing this thought the merchant says "$25 and it's yours".
I look at him appearing guilty that he lowered the price before we even started talking and I said "no really $30 is a great price, I just don't feel like going through the trouble of getting it back to the hotel and then across the country".
Then he looked at me like "boy your good" and says "okay $20 and I let you have it". (hopefully you have been inserting your own Mexican accent for the full effect)
Then I shoot back "no really you're too kind. It's not the money I just am feeling lazy today. I'm on vacation. Although it really is a nice briefcase". Then I even diplomatically and politely started walking away in the general direction of the exit.
Surprisingly the man blurts out to me "you take for $15".
Now for some inexplicable reason I was getting a little upset. Does this guy just think I'm cheap? What do I have to say to get him off my back? So then I resort to the "white lie". I say to him "look I tell you what, I'll swing back this way before we head back to San Diego. I'll give you the $15 American then. This really is a nice case". As I was finishing I began moving more directly toward the exit.
With his super sales radar he knew I was lying through my teeth. I also believe he thought I had been negotiating with him this whole time. So he tried a diversionary tactic by bringing the price down in a $2 increment instead of the $5 pattern he had previously set. "$13, how's that?" he asks.
Without even stopping I kept walking. As I was getting near the exit I said back at him "your price is fine in fact you had me at $30. I'm telling you it's not the money". I built up to a nice crescendo to drive home the point. I was now leaving the store.
Suddenly I hear his determined voice yell out to me "$10 and that's final sale!"
As if I had no control of my body I was back in the store handing him $10 and saying "okay it's a deal". He was a happy camper and I was, well I was confused as to what just happened. On one hand I just saved myself $70 from the case I was going to get near home. Then on the other hand I was mumbling to myself "now I got to carry this thing and bring it on the plane" and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
I still have that briefcase and let me tell you it really is a nice case.
