My Maracas Story

   Recently, E C &  R traveled to Mexico as part of our West Coast run.  I had never been to Mexico, but had heard plenty of stories from friends that said... "If you buy any souvenirs from a street vendor, never pay full price.  They expect you to bargain with them."  Knowing this important information, and feeling like an accomplished business man, I felt ready to tackle the Mexican Street Souvenir Market.   The rest of the guys had been there already, and knew what to expect.  As we walked down the first street, I intelligently looked at different things I was interested in.  T-shirts.... hats.. sunglasses,.. nothing really caught my attention.  (Plus this time gave me some preparation time to gather my thoughts on how I could handle this best.... you know... take in the atmosphere and gather my thoughts.)  About the fourth street we walked down, I felt like I was ready to buy something.  I stopped at a stand, and I saw a pair of Maracas that I thought would be cool to get my daughter, Makenzie.  Having the knowledge that my friends had given me, and being what I thought was a good business man, I asked "How much are these?"  HUGE MISTAKE!!!!  The vendor looked at me, and saw the target I was apparently wearing on my forehead, and said those magic words I knew were coming... "Normally they sell for... (this is the looooong pause he gave while he was sizing me up for the sale...) $20, but today.. I will sell them to you for $15."  Well as any good negotiator knows, you always turn down the first offer.  I said..."No... that's ok," and started to walk away...knowing he would lower the price.. just like my friends had said.  Well... I turned around and I heard him say..... "These are very good Maracas... the finest material... the best beads inside... these are very good maracas.  I am getting ready for lunch, I will sell them to you for $11."  Well, that is almost half priced, and I played it off as best I could by saying, "Mmmmm, I don't think so... not today, but thanks."  As I turned to walk away again, he man said... "How much will you pay for them?"  Knowing (as a good negotiator) NOT to answer THAT question, I said.. "I am not sure, but I know I will not pay $11 for them."  He said to me... "How about $7 for them.... these are very good maracas."  Knowing I was getting closer to the price I wanted to pay, I shook them a bit, and sized them up a bit... and said.... "Nah.. not today.. but thanks."  Finally, he said to me, "Ok... I will sell them to you for $5.  Bottom line offer... $5."  I said.."Ok.. I will take them." and handed him a $5.  He looked at me and said.... "Thank you. You have made me a very happy Mexican."  Feeling proud of myself for saving $15, as well as making that Mexican man very happy I was a feeling a bit self satisfied.  Imagine my feeling of despair when I went to the next store, and there.... in the middle of the floor.... was a basket full of maracas on sale for.... $1.50 a pair.  I see now how I made that Mexican man so happy.  I am sure his story starts off something like this... "I was at my store, when this dumb American walks in....."

       Till next time... Keep the beat,

                                                 Bongo

   I