The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-03-02
SHOPPING IN MEXICO
Women Get Plenty of Excitement
In Making a Purchase.
BARGAINING AS A FINE ART.

The Descent From the Asking Price
to the Last Price and From That to
tho Final Selling Price Works Out
Something Like a Farce Comedy.
When a woman goes shopping in the
city OF Mexico, especially If she speaks
Spanish, she gets far more excitement
Tor her money in the course of an aft
ernoon than she could hope to compass
In a years time in America.
In the Spanish and French drv goods
houses, where the trade is almost ex.
clusively 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 25 per cent less than the selling
price with which the goods are tagged.
1t forms, however. a certain basis from
which to start the bargaining, which
thereafter is carried on with all the
skill and fury that characterize such
transactions everywhere throughout
Latin America. The woman customer
may wish to purchase a few yards of
silk. for example. The marked price
Is, say. So a yard, and the "last price"
is given as $1.5O. 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 it from
every point of view and finally ask for
something that is not likely to be in
stock. At last she will sigh and look
about in despair.
"Caramba, but I'm weary with this
vain task of ~endeavoring to find some
thing that I wish in this second class
establishment! The prices are far high
er than anywhere else, but l try to
patronize this place because the pro-
p~rietors are friends Of my husband.
Now, that rose silk is not the shade l
wish, but ! might be able to use it
some time If l 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 flowery elo-
quence that he can command and with
a constant play of rapid gestures, his
lighted cigarette in n hand describ-
ing a little arc of fire somewhat dim
mer than the diamonds he wears OH
his fingers.
"Senorita, we place at your feet this
establishment and all that it contains.
It is your house, and you may do with
it as you will. But the very last price
at which l can offer you this silk is
$1.25 a yard. l do this with a fear of
losing my position, but with the hope
that the proprietors will pardon my au-
dacity when they learn that your hus-
band is one of their personal friends"
II thank you, senor," responds the
shopper. 81 appreciate your consid-
GRAFTON. but l could not possibly &C.
cept the silk as a gift. Nevertheless
I would be willing under the circum-
stances, so that you might make a.
reasonable profit, to give you SO cents
a yard for two yards"
At this the salesman drops on the
floor the, stub of the cigarette he has
been smoking. This leaves both hands
free. and if he is a master of the SELL
ing art as known in that country tears
come to his eyes and 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 but a part of the price of the
goods. After frenzied CALCULATIONS he
puts the price down to 81 a yard, say
ing that that figure is the "last of the
last prices" The lady has been gaz-
ing about indifferently and gathers up
her p%ocketbook and other impedimenta
as she rises to depart. AS an after
thought and with condescensiOn that
amounts almost to pity she remarks:
"Sixty cents-no more. 1t is my hast
word. Adios, senor."
zone little moment, senorita. Do
not depart in anger. Rather than let
you go thus you may have the silk at
90 cents a yard, and l will make up
the difference from my own pocket"
The lady hesitates, turns back as If
Indifferent, yet undecided. Then she
again starts toward the door, speaking
the phrase of pious farewell which is
the Spanish equivalent Of a final good
by.
MAY you go with God, senor."
She almost has reached the portal
when the salesman catches up with
her. He has had time to light anoth-
er cigarette to fortify himself for the
final struggle. and. waving this in one
hand, he begs her. almost on Blended
knees, to return and take the silk at
30 cents a yard. She looks languidly
upon him. She has concluded that 80
cents would be about the right price
and probably the best she can do. Yet
she returns undaunted and in the soft
est of voices breathes the Spanish
words which are the equivalent in that
tongue for 20 cents. After ten min
utes more of tirmness on the shoppers