Hi Susan, I dislke duplicity, too. And I will show folks the price list and on larger ticket items I tell them that there is a normal profit margin built into that price. For little stuff, it's not worth mentioning. When you see a price in a store, do you think that's what they paid for it? Of course not, they, too, are in business for profit. A normal profit margin is nothing to apologize for. Furniture is more than that. Jewelry, often3 or four times cost. Clothing at list is at least double the cost, it must be or the stores can't stay in business. And half price and 1/3 price sales are usually possible because they've made their money and need to simply recoup capital in order to buy the next season's fashions. I pleases me to show customers a printed list. It verifies that I am NOT making something up, not just poking numbers at them. It also makes sales easier because I don't have to remember what I quoted them last time, it's right there in the book. What I hate is digging out a price list and trying to hide while I look at my cost, figure a profit margin, add labor and give them a price. Openess helps sales. (I sold Life Insurance once upon a time.) I've encouraged Damp Chaser to print price guidelines. It will increase sales. When I go into a store and don't see prices I am inclined not to buy. If I drove in with the nice car, it might be one price, if I came in the '89 Camry, another price. That's the duplicity I hate. And to stand in a sumptuously appointed 25 by 30 foot living room next to a new Steinway B and SHOW a price list assures you are not being unduly influenced. Credibility maintained. Reputation kept. There is nothing more precious than a good name. (Although keeping it perfect is impossible, things happen, like violent weather shifts, etc. . . . . . .) Roger Hayden, RPT On Mon, 02 Oct 2000 09:09:57 -0700 Susan Kline <sckline@home.com> writes: > Sorry I wasn't clearer ... I do not object to marking up prices! I > was objecting to showing customers an inflated price list and > letting them > assume it was our cost! It was the DECEIT I objected to, not the > markup! > > (Clear now, I hope??) > > Susan > ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
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