Read Man Swappers for Free Online Page B

around.
    “Oh, well, excuse me,” the woman says, bringing my attention back to her. “I thought it was one of those high-end consignment shops...” Well, you thought wrong. I purse my lips. “Anyway, you had a lovely oval beaded clutch there and I’m hoping you still have it.”
    My ears perk up, and my tone immediately changes. “Oh, yessss, you’re talking about the Judith Leiber piece. Yes, we still have it. It’s an absolutely stunning bag.”
    “Yes, it is. I have a wedding to go to in a few months, and it would go wonderful with my dress.”
    Dress? This clutch is for an evening gown . I imagine her wearing some church-type getup instead of a chic gown, or flowing cocktail dress. She’s about to fuck up this purse wearing some dumb shit. “Oh, I’m sure it will. It’s not only eye-catching; it makes an elegant statement.”
    “And what’s the cost for such a statement?”
    “It’s on sale for nineteen-hundred-and ninety-five dollars.” I walk over to the glass case and unlock it, then pull the crystal andbeaded bag out, locking the case back. “If you’d like, I can hold it for you for twenty-four hours.”
    “ Nineteen hundred dollars, for a bag? Oooh, that’s a bit pricey. Would you consider coming down on the price a pinch?”
    I blink, frowning. What the fuck kind of store does this bitch think I’m running? I just told her ass this isn’t a consignment shop, and it isn’t some damn flea market where you can haggle down prices. “Unfortunately not,” I tell her flatly, immediately unlocking the glass case and putting the bag back. “The price is firm. But, if you’d like an evening bag that is a little more inexpensive we have a gorgeous pleated satin clutch.” She asks if I can describe it to her. “It has a sleek design of alternating crisp and softly ruffled gold satin stripes with a Swarovski crystal closure. It also comes with a chain strap tucked inside. It’s definitely a gorgeous piece.”
    She grunts. Tells me she doesn’t think it will go well with her dress. “And how much is that bag?”
    “It’s on sale for four-hundred-and-thirty dollars.”
    She coughs. Repeats what I’ve said. “Well, do you have anything a little cheaper than that?”
    I pull in my bottom lip. Try to catch myself from going off. “No, we don’t.”
    She huffs. “In this economy, those kinda prices for a purse is a bit ridiculous. Some people are barely making ends meet.”
    Then why the fuck are you calling here? I hear myself ask in my head. “I hear your concern, ma’am. But, that’s why they have Marshalls and TJ Maxx to cater to those same people. They offer designer wear at discount prices for people who have to pinch their dollars. This is a boutique; not a bargain basement store. Those who can afford the prices will gladly buy. And those who can’t, won’t. Is there anything else I can help you with today?”
    “I don’t think I like your tone,” she says defensively. “And I don’t imagine you getting much business with that kind of attitude. I wanna speak to the owner, if you don’t mind.”
    I smile. “I sure don’t. You’re speaking to her. And as I said, this is a high-end boutique, with high-end fashion at high-end prices, ma’am. No disrespect. But customers who come through these doors...are already prepared...to spend...top dollar for our merchandise. You can either afford it, or you can’t.”
    I hear a man’s voice in the background saying something to her. I can’t make out what he’s saying, but he’s asking her a bunch of questions, then the sound gets muffled as if she’s covering the mouthpiece. I hang up. Two minutes later, the phone rings again. It’s her, again. “I believe we were disconnected.”
    I know hanging up on a potential customer is definitely not a good look for business, but I don’t have the patience to go back and forth with a customer on a purchase. Either you’re going to buy it, or you’re not. It’s simple as that. I’m