The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-11-02
SHOPPING IN MEXICO
Women Get Plenty Of Excitement
In Making a Purchase.
BARGAINING AS "A FINE ART.

Tho Descent From the Asking Price
to the Last Price and From That to
the Final Selling Price Works Out
Something Like Farce Comedy.
When woman goes shopping in the
City Of Mexico, especially ifshe speaks
Spanish, she gets far more excitement
FOR her money In the course Of an aft
nrnoou than she could hope TO compass
IN years time In America
In the Spanish and French dry goods
houses, where the trad. is almost ex.
cusivcly feminine, the goods are
marked with the asking price" which
is a mere mathematical figure OF
speech. and the first question that the
experienced shopper always asks OF
the salesman Is, "What is your last
price?'
This "ultimo precio" is generally
about % per cent less than the selling
price with which the goods are tagged.
lt forms. however. certain basis from
which TO start the bargaining, which
thereafter is carried Oh with all the
skill and fury that characterize such
transactions everywhere throughout
Lntin AMERICA. The woman customer
may wish to purchase a few yards OF
silk. for example. The marked price
is. say. SO yard. and the last price
Is given as Sl.50. The woman will
look at the piece she desires with the
same unconcerned scorn with which
she regards everything else that Is
shown her She will disparage IL from
every point of view and finally ask for
something that is not likely 10 bc in
stock. At last she will sigh and look
about in despair.
"Caramba. but I'm weary with this
vain task of endeavornG 10 find some
thing that wish IL this second class
establishment. The prices are far high.
er than anywhere else, but ] try TO
patronlzo this place because the pro.
prictors are friends of my husband.
Now, that rose silk Is not the shade
wish. but might be able TO use 1t
some time if I could buy it at a rea.
sonable price"
The salesman. who has been listen.
ing with an assumed air OF sympathy.
responds with all the nowcry elo-
quence that he can command aud with
a constant play OF rapid gestures. his
lighted cigarette in one haud describ-
ing little arc Of fire somewhat dim
mer than the diamonds hc wears ON
bis fingers.
"Senorita. we place at your feet this
establishment aud all that 1t contains.
II as you will. But the very last price
at which I can offer you this silk Is
81 20 d yard do this with fear of
losing my position, but with the hope
that the proprietors will pardon my au-
daclty when they learn that your bus.
band is one of their personal friends"
II thank you, senor," responds tho
shopper II appreciate your consid
Grafton. but I could not possibly ac.
ccpt the silk as gift. Nevertheless
would be willing under the circum.
stances. so that you might make n
reasonable profit. TO give you so cents
a yard for two yards" 49,
At this the salesman drops on the
floor the stub of the cigarette he has
been smoking. This leaves both hands
free. aud if he is a master of the sell
! ing art as known in that country tears
come TO his eyes aud he wrings his
hands apparently in the depths OF
despair and chagrin. The Mexicans
dearly love acting and discrimination
OF all sorts. and this byplay of the
clerk is bat part Of the price of the
goods. After frenzied CALCULATIONS be
puts the price down to 81 n yard. say
| lug that that figure is the last OF the
last prices" The lady has been gaz'
Ing about indifferently and gathers up
! her pocketbook aud other impedlnpnta
as she rises to depart. AS an after
thought and with condescension that
/ amounts almost to pity she remarks:
Sixty cents--no more. Ii Is my last
word Adios, senor."
"One little moment. senorita. Dc
not depart In anger. Rather than lei
you go thus you may have the silk ai
! 30 cents yard. aud ] will make up
the difference from my own pocket"
The lady hesitates. turns back as II
/ Indifferent. yet undecided. Then sh'
again starts toward the door. speaking
the phrase of pious farewell which is
the Spanish equivalent of dual good
by.
May you so with God, senior"
She almost has reached the porta
when the salesman catches up with
/ her. He has had time 10 light anoth
or cigarette TO fortify himself for th'
dnai struggle. aud. waving this in one
hand. he bcgs her. almost on bendet
knees. to return and take the silk a
so cents yard. She looks languidll
upon him. She has concluded that "
cents would be about the right price
and probably the best she can do Ye
she returns andaunted and In the soft
est OF voices breathes the Spanish
words which are the equivalent IN tina
tongue for 10 cents. After ten min
utes more OF firmness on the shopper
part and every aspect OF poignan
grief by the salesman two yards o
silk finally change hands at 10 cents.
The same furious bargaining is thu