MADAM – Following MS Robinson’s letter (ATG No 2270), I felt I should send your letters page the pricing policy statement which appears on my website:
It is common practice in the antiques trade to price stock/inventory with a price which the business is usually happy to reduce. I do not subscribe to this practice. I am sorry, but I don’t.
While television programmes advise customers to ‘haggle’ for reduced prices for antiques, it does create problems which the trade does not need to condone. Nor should it. If the price is not to be taken seriously, what about the descriptions? Or the business integrity of the dealer?