Customer... "Is this purse going to go down in price anymore?"

Me: "No.  Its' already 70% off.  It's the final markdown"

Cusotmer: "Are you sure?"

Me: "Yes I'm very sure.  We don't mark down any further than 70 percent."

Customer: "If it doesn't sell though, will you mark it down further?"

Me: "No.  We are going to keep it at 70% off, and we'll just be patient for the item to sell."

Her: "Well, could I put the item on layaway?"

Me: "I'm sorry mam.  It's a store policy not to put items on layaway."

Her: "Well I've put items on layaway here before last winter.  The owner knows I'm good for it."

Me: "Well mam, we didn't sell women's items up until August, so I don't see how its possible.  We have never allowed items to be put on Layaway.  The owner would never consent."

Her: "Could you give me an additional discount if I buy the purse right now?"

Me: "No.  The item is already marked down 70%.  No additional discounts."

Her: "But it is still expensive and I really want this purse!  If I buy these gloves can you please discount the purse and the gloves?"

Me:  "Mam, the gloves are also 70% off.  I can't provide any additional discounts on the sale items."

Her: "You are being very difficult."

Me: "Sorry mam.  I'm just doing my job.  I apply new sales to items already on sale.  The store owner would disapprove."

Her: "I guess you just don't care about your customers than.  Can I put the purse on hold?"

Me: "Yes.  We can hold the purse for 24 hours.

Her: "Can you hold it three days for me."

Me: "Sorry.  A maximum 24 hour hold.'

Her: "But I can't get here till the weekend, and I really like this purse."

Me: "Well, there are other people interested in the item too.  If you want to ensure that you will get the item you can buy it now."

Her: "You are not providing good customer service you know"

Me: "I'm sorry you feel that way mam, but I need to abide by the rules of the store, and I can't change them for you."

Her: "I'll call later on tonight to see if you sold the purse." 

She ended up buying the purse three days later, with 22 phone calls to see if the purse was still there, over nine requests to decrease the price, and several attemts to get a free gift with her purchase.  She's already begun trying to talk the price down on a pair of $14 earmuffs.