The Bargain Hunters

MARKET DAY

WHAT IS A MARKET?
A flea market (or swap meet) (or indoor/outdoor market) (or second-hand market)is a type of bazaar that rents space to people who want to sell or barter merchandise (goods).
It may be indoors, as in a warehouse or school gymnasium; or outdoors, as in a field or in a parking lot or under a tent.
Street venders (usually just selling different foods) aren’t the same as flea markets.

AT THE MARKET
It’s a sunny Saturday morning. Mark and his wife Karen have gone to the local open air market to look for furniture for their new flat.
The market is a great place to find bargains.
However, there is also a lot of junk so they need to inspect items carefully. Like most open air markets, there are few fixed prices so they are prepared to haggle.
Do you know all these words?

MARK AND KAREN
Karen: Oh look honey! There’s a side table that’s just right for our living room.
Mark: Yeah, and it looks like it’s in good condition too. Excuse me…
Sir? How much is this side table?
Vendor: This one? €55.
Karen: 55? That seems a bit pricey. Could you come down a bit on the price?
Vendor: I’m sorry ma’am. This table costs €200 new. €55 is a very
reasonable price.
Karen: Oh really? But this one is a bit old, see it has some scratches
here on the top.
Vendor: How much will you give me?
Mark: Well, I was thinking about €25.
Vendor: Oh no sir, I cannot accept €25.Give me €45 and it is yours.
Karen: It’s just that we don’t have very much money. We’ve just moved
and I’m expecting a baby.
Vendor: Oh congratulations! Listen, I’ll make you a good deal. €40 but
that’s the lowest I can go.
Mark: That’s very kind. However, I can’t spend more than €35 and still
have enough money for the other things we need to buy.
Vendor: Listen, €40 and I’ll throw in these brass candlesticks.
Karen: Oh, those are nice. Honey, what do you think?
Mark: Okay. It’s a deal. Can I give you a cheque(UK)?/ a check(USA)?
Vendor: Only cash sir.

CONVERSATION QUESTIONS
What do Mark and Karen say to bring the price down?
What does the vendor say to keep the price higher?
What do these words mean?
pricey reasonable expensive
affordable a bargain a good deal
cheap costly inexpensive
half price dear dirt cheap

YOU ARE A BARGAIN HUNTER
CUSTOMER (BUYER): You want to buy these objects:
Try to get the seller to reduce the price to one you think is fair. Give
him or her reasons why the price should be lower.
VENDOR (SELLER): You are selling the objects listed below.
You are willing to lower the price but would like to get as much as possible.
Hint:Try to get more by telling the customer about the item’s good qualities.
Old Clock €35
Old Bike €10
Old Lap-top €45
Playing cards €8
Old Mask €50
Old Book €8