What NOT to say at a garage sale

I have purchased several vintage bikes over the years. The one in the photo was the last one I bought. I have never paid over $25.00. (all from my secret garage sale route) Last weekend My husband and I stopped at a sale. I spied the old white bike before we got out of the car and I announced to him "It's mine!" I checked out the price tag then did a once over on their goods. It really was the only thing worth buying. Since I always figure it doesn't hurt to try, I asked the guy if he wood take less for it. He hemmed and hawed and finally said "I might if you're a serious buyer." I wondered why I had to be serious, couldn't it just be good fun? "Would you take $20.00?" I asked? (down from $25.00) At first he looked stupefied then he looked a bit angry. Then came a long rant about it being 4o years old, he rode it on a paper route-it held a lot of meaning for him...As I listened to him I thought ""Wow, he does take it serious, but seriously-if he was so attached, why is he selling it?

When he took a breath, I said "OK, I will pay $25.00." By now he was outraged. "It's worth $2,500" he said loudly enough for the other shoppers to get interested in our discussion. " I should have it priced way higher then $250.00 but it needs a little work." I looked at my embarrassed husband who gave me the eye that said "let's get out of here." Somehow I had missed the extra little $0 on the tag -but I was starting to feel offended, why couldn't he just have said from the get go that I had read it wrong? My husband could see I was working up a return lecture for the guy (Norah, if you are reading this-are you surprised?) and guided me to the car mid sentence. I was a little embarrassed and I wouldn't normally argue over someones treasure...But did he have to make it look like I was trying to rip him off? Note to self: never make a offer without first asking the price. Note to self: next time don't be so cheap, I would have paid $25.00 for it no problem.