[QUOTE=eskimo]

I don't think honor's dead, Bill, and I don't know how much rarer it is today than it used to be, but our opportunities for exposure have changed.

Yes, i agree-honor is not dead. But, for example....

In my business[antique dealer/restorer] most are fair,honest folks. But would you believe a customer came into my shop inquiring about some small items I have for sale. These items are displayed around the corner from the counter and I couldn't remember the price so I asked him how much I had on them. He told me $6 so I filled out the receipt.

Fast forward to closing time--I'm doing my daily walk through and notice the items are priced at $9 each. Now I've had things stolen in the 30 years I've been doing this but not once has someone ripped me in such a fashion.

I am a fair, honest dealer and live in the community where I sell. I expect and have gotten the same from my customers. Until this one a-----.

I guess I shouldn't trust first-trust is supposed to be earned, but I like to think the best of folks from the begining, before I even know them. I'll still trust that next customer before I know them, but I will check the prices first just to doublecheck their honesty.

Cheers,

Bill

Tell yourself that the person mistook the 9 for a 6 in a quick glance and you'll feel a little better.

Fantastic observation and quite realistic. Why would the person say "$6.00". He could have easily made up a price of "$5.00" or "$7.00".

Only other possibility is that the customer was so clever that he actually saw the $9.00 and figured out, instantly, that he could say "$6.00" and easily explain it away if caught on it.

Very interesting.

Just the other day, I stopped at a small local post office to mail a package (to an eBay buyer, actually). Total was two dollars and change. I put three ones down on the counter. The nice lady rang it up, counted out the change, put it on top of the bills, and pushed the whole pile back to me.

She was grateful (and maybe a bit embarrassed) when I politely pushed the bills back, and commended me on my honesty. It probably started both our days out right.

Brain, you are absolutely right.

The incident I described in my previous post was my first encounter with this guy.

About 6 months after the first incident he came back and I recognized him right away. I've got a display of reproduction tin signs [clearly marked "repro"BTW] and they are priced $8 each. To save time/money, I grouped them all together and put a price above them reading "your choice,$8 each." He comes up to the counter....this time I'm ready. "How much do I have on these?" I asked. He states" $3 each". As I walked around the corner towards the display I said "Can't be. I paid more than that for them". As I got towards the display he says "Maybe I got it wrong". I say "The sign clearly states $8" and he says "Oh, it looked like 3 to me. Doesn't it look that way to you?" I replied "No,it's a 4" number and clearly an 8, see?" "Oh yea, it is" he says. "You still want them for the $8". "Well, I'll put these back and just take this one".

Clearly there was no mistake. The number "8" is written with a black magic marker on a white background that you can see from 10 feet away!

This is not the first time he has done this but I'd bet he won't try it in my shop again!

Thanks for the great observations guys. And I want you all to know that just because of this one guy I have not lost faith. Most are honest folks.

Cheers,

Bill