Closer
Is everyone aware that major appliance prices are usually negotiable to a degree, even when already on sale?
Dangit, I'm exhausted after wheeling and dealing for another major appliance. At general sales times, I'll surf for the best offer and search for days if I don't find what suits me and my modest purse. Then I wait until what seems like it might be the site's highest traffic time to call and ask for a manager because I want someone with the best chance to accommodate me a little more. They tend to be more agreeable when they're pressed for time. If that manager can't/won't dicker, I call back 5 minutes later looking for a different one. Sometimes it takes up to 3 tries.
Eventually almost always I can get about an extra 15% off the sale price plus free shipping even if that's not in the advertised special. Lots of times they'll advertise a lower price on something that normally comes with free shipping and then make up the difference by charging for delivery! But I'm harder to get rid of than a bad habit when I want something, although I'm extremely polite about it. Both are required.
So today I finally got the kitchen range I wanted at the price I was willing to pay, following many hours of searching and negotiating after that. But it was worth all the trouble for a person with a modest purse. 'They' say when people like me do come into $, if we were of a thrifty nature before that, we don't change. For me the ego trip is not in plunking down cash for the most expensive item, it's driving that price lower. Lots of work for not all that much extra savings, yet I'd feel guilty otherwise.
And the stove's American made.
Maybe I should x-post in the Frugal Group?