Someone in this photo has a new toy and it isn’t Zach. So look for the quality of photography here on CDV.com to improve.
But the hero of the day was Dr. O’C and I’ve got to brag a little bit on my special lady friend. She watched a TV program a while back called “Don’t Get Done, Get Dom”, the premise of which was that one should assert oneself when negotiating the price of things; that the list price is always artificially inflated. Acting the dom, she’s already gotten us a better deal on Timmins’ trip to Oz and shipping our stuff. We had made the decision to go ahead and shell out for a digital SLR while we were in country and could pay with feeble American pesos, err dollars. When we went shopping today, Dr. O’C came armed with a print-out of Amazon’s price for the camera package we wanted. I had pretty much dismissed her chances of repeating her bargaining successes at Best Buy. I mean, this isn’t some shady fellow selling “Genuine Rolexes” in a market stall, this is a giant multinational chain store.* I was so convinced of her imminent failure that I wandered over to the music section to see what was big at the Best Buy. But as I was flipping through CDs, my ears perked up when I heard the sales boy say, “I’ll have to check with my manager, but I think we can probably do that.” What? And my jaw bounced off of the tile floor when I heard Dr. O’C reply, “Well, I think that you’ll need to beat that price or else we’ll just order it from Amazon”.
Long story short, Mistress O’C got it for $20 less than the Amazon price, $120 less than their sale price and $250 better than the list price. Those poor little Best Buy boys didn’t know what hit them.
———-
* They are also assholes who charge you 15% of your purchase price to restock an item even if you return it the very same day. All the more reason that I am in awe of Sinead today. Sticking it to the man.
17 responses so far ↓
1 Nichole // Apr 15, 2008 at 1:17 am
Go Sinead!
What sort of camera did you get?
2 CDV // Apr 15, 2008 at 1:22 am
Canon Rebel XTi 10MP with an 18-55mm and 55-250mm lens.
3 Jessica K // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:07 am
Yay you! I’m jealous… I have to wait until Jeff’s next bonus to get mine (which isn’t that bad since it’s really just a couple of weeks away.) How did you decide on the Rebel? I keep flip-flopping between that and the Nikon d80.
Jessica K’s last blog post..Does it really have to be Monday?
4 Ryan // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:08 am
Oh, how it pays to have a shark on your side.
The girlfriend looks mortally-wounded should someone ask her to pay full-price EVER, on ANYTHING.
It’s when I see that lovely little face of hers curl up like the sun was in her eyes that I know we’re talking bargooooon…
5 Harlekwin // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:12 am
Dang! Where was Dr.O’C when I was paying full price for my Rebel XT?
You’re gonna love, love, love your new camera. I really enjoy messing with the 18X55. Um, don’t I recall that you had a gig as a Pro for a while? I can’t wait to see what you do with the op’s in Oz.
Enjoy your new big boy toy!!
6 SSG // Apr 15, 2008 at 9:30 am
man can Sinead get any better? i wanna be like sinead when i grow up!
7 Aish // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:33 am
go sis!! well i guess you were always good with holding on to your money. even when i was working and earning double your phD scholarship i had to come to you for a loan!!
8 courtney // Apr 15, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Wow! I’m impressed with people who can haggle. I avoid conflict at all costs, so I’m too much of a wimp to ask for a better price.
courtney’s last blog post..Losing Their Religion
9 Nathan B. // Apr 15, 2008 at 6:14 pm
As someone who used to work at Best Buy, I feared people like Sinead because I just wanted to earn my paycheck and go home. We didn’t get paid commission (I don’t think they do now either), so I didn’t care if you bought a computer for a dollar…I just wanted you buy the thing.
10 Not Afraid To Use It // Apr 15, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Go Dr. O’C!! That totally kicks ass! Hubbie is getting a bit better at the haggling thing bc I really suck at it. She ought to give lessons!
Not Afraid To Use It’s last blog post..The Case of the Missing Pantyliners
11 Matthew // Apr 15, 2008 at 7:08 pm
A few weeks ago, I bought the same camera, but the 8 MP version with the 18-55mm lens. The 10 MP was just over my budget. We got it from Amazon, but my next electronic purchase I might have to follow Dr. O’C example.
12 Gypsy // Apr 15, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Wow, that’s pretty impressive. I’m afraid to haggle.
Gypsy’s last blog post..Stupid cows and their damn green grass
13 Jamie // Apr 15, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Love the Big Lebowski reference, but what the hell are your parents putting on their lawn? It seems to be almost glowing green.
14 Maggie, dammit // Apr 16, 2008 at 1:14 am
Now that there is a damn fine woman. Truly.
Maggie, dammit’s last blog post..Am I doing it all wrong?
15 DavidK // Apr 16, 2008 at 4:19 am
As a recent XTi purchaser, let me also recommend the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. It’s a great portrait lens and takes outstanding photos indoors with no flash. Tons of fun to experiment with the aperture settings. Plus you can get it for $86 on Amazon - it ain’t sturdy, but it is damn cheap!
I’ve actually already sold mine to a friend and gotten the f1.4, which is over $300. It’s sturdier for sure, but you really can’t beat the price for the f1.8 (especially if you just want to try it out first). It’s actually my main lens now, despite it’s lack of zoom.
DavidK’s last blog post..Hayes Carll’s Cactus instore canceled
16 DavidK // Apr 16, 2008 at 4:20 am
As a recent XTi purchaser, let me also recommend the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. It’s a great portrait lens and takes outstanding photos indoors with no flash. Tons of fun to experiment with the aperture settings. Plus you can get it for $86 on Amazon - it ain’t sturdy, but it is damn cheap!
I’ve actually already sold mine to a friend and gotten the f1.4, which is over $300. It’s sturdier for sure, but you really can’t beat the price for the f1.8 (especially if you just want to try it out first). It’s actually my main lens now, despite it’s lack of zoom.
17 arizaphale // Apr 16, 2008 at 2:18 pm
And I thought your photography was pretty good already. Guess we’re going to see some serious shit now. And Sinead? Impressive.
arizaphale’s last blog post..Hollywood Stars
Leave a Comment