How To Save $30 By Travelling Up Then Down An Escalator

Last night, I was helping my mother purchase a new stereo. She didn't need much, simply dual cassette, a CD and record player. And it just so happened that Dick Smith (DSE) had one advertised in their catalogue for $229. So off we went to see how this new stereo measured up.

Being one never to accept retail price, I called over a sales assistant and simply said "Can you do this for $200?" He thought about it for a moment, then went off to check either the cost price list or ask a manager. Returning a few minutes later, he let me know that $220 was the best they could do. Nodding, I let him know I'd be back and that I was just going to check a few other stores.

Up the escalator I went to JB Hi Fi - the same store I bought my LCD TV from - and looking at what stereos they had available, the same sales assistant that I bought my TV from happened to see me. I let him know what stereo I was after and even showed him the catalogue. He checked their stock list to see if they had it, or could order it in - they couldn't.

Now, without asking The JB Guy (as he'll be known from now-on) grabbed a business card and wrote down the model number, his name and $200. And told a few stories about the times he's done this before. After thanking him, off I went down the escalator again to DSE to see if they price match.

They did.

Props to The JB Guy for helping me save money when he surely didn't have to.