December 27, 2016 (Tuesday)
We have reached the last week of the year, and the thoughts of many people have turned to after-Christmas and end-of-year merchandise sales. Those who received gift cards as Christmas gifts can make those gifts buy more by taking advantage of the sales.
I saw one item advertised at 86% off! Sounds like a real bargain.
Bargaining with people is mentioned in the Bible. Turn to the book of Proverbs, chapter 20, verse 14. Here are seven translations of that verse:
New International Version
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer– then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
New Living Translation
The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!
English Standard Version
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.
New American Standard Bible
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.
King James Bible
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.
International Standard Version
“This is bad, bad,” says whoever is buying– but then he brags as he walks away after the sale.
American merchandising techniques with the many special sales, makes such bargaining unnecessary. Chances are pretty good that you can buy the item you want at a price that seems attractive without further haggling.
But if you like to bargain, you might like to take a little trip to a Mexican border town. Warning: they know who you are just by looking at you, and when the bargaining is done, the sellers are likely to emerge as the winners. Just thinking you got the best of the bargain is lots of fun anyway. That’s the way many folks think this week as they take advantage of the sales.