Empathetic Downsizing
I visited an estate sale on Friday, and was surprised that the owner was present. I loved her furniture and her books! Thankfully, I had immediately noted a book on the table I loved, and an easy rapport was established. She was moving in with her daughter on the other side of the country, and had to get rid of her beautiful furnishings. They were quality pieces, in excellent condition...and she was asking too much. While I was enchanted with several pieces, she hoped to see prices that were unrealistic. I asked her if she would be reducing prices on subsequent days, and she replied she just couldn’t. At the same time, she saw in me someone who loved what she loved, and offered to “give me a great price” on her dining room set. She was asking $1000 for a 30 year old table with six chairs. Sadly, I had to decline. Although I loved the table (which she had priced separately at $400, each chair was $100) it wasn’t worth that much. I didn’t want to insult her by offering too l
