$1,500? I will give you $150.

Just call me Haggling Heather.

Last night after we took Sophie to the park for a walk, Trey and I ventured to none other than Hudson's Treasure Hunt.

I should preface this story by giving a brief history of The Hunt. I have come to the realization that south Mississippi is some sort of mecca for thrifty shoppers. The birth of Hudson's occured just right down the street, which brings joy to many locals. in my 1 year and 2 months of living in the Burg, I have seen Hudson's Treasure Hunt move to four different locations. Right now there are three locations...The furniture Sale Hudson's, Hudson's Treaure Hunt, and Dirt Cheap. (NEVER go alone to Dirt Cheap. I have never been, and frankly, am a little frightened by the thought of a store strictly selling Hudson's rejects, and the location of the store. But I am a brat, so I digress.)

Trey and I enjoy going to Hudson's at times. It is somewhat of a sport for us. As we approach the security guarded entrance to The Hunt, an overwhelming feeling of "what can we find today" immediately takes over. I put on my game face and enter the double doors, walk past the rent-a-cop and coke machines and begin the hunt. You never know what you will find. Lately the theme has been golf, which was actually the purpose for this trip last night: Trey needed golf balls and tees.

Once inside the large, sometimes quiet smelly, building, Trey and I go our seperate ways without so much as a "bye" or "happy hunting". We are on a mission. 90% off this broken shelf? Done. Consider it a steal.

So I was walking aimlessly around the store, touching as little as possible, when I spotted it: A large corner bookcase with a rustic, vintage feel in a very cool green color. It was love at first sight. Picture it: kinda cool looking tall book case that fits in the corner, with three shelves, a drawer, and a cabinet at the bottom. Very artsy and I loved it. I had to have it.

So I found the homemade price tag: $1,500. What were these Hudson people thinking? it was wobbly and scratched. fifteen hundred dollars? I think not. This is a cool piece to say "yeah, I found it at a thrift store for next to nothing, cute huh?" not "yeah, i paid $1,500 for it at Hudsons".

These people must be put in their place.

So I found a worker sporting the blue apron with the parrot logo on it.

Haggler Heather: "m'am, this beautiful bookcase here, well, it says it's $1500. Is this true"

Hudson Employee: "ugh. I don't know. Hmmm. Take 80% off."

HH: (after pulling out the cell phone to conduct quick math) "m'am that brings the total to around $300, and from the looks of the bookshelf I just can't seem to justify that price. Is there someone I can speak to about this?"

HE: "The assistant manager. His name is David."

BINGO. David to the rescue. So I marched myself over to the Hudson's customer service counter (the use the term "service" loosely in some places) And asked to speak to Mr. David, Assistant Manager. The kind lady behind the counter called him over the intercom. Shortly a short, medium-built man came from behind the counter. Yes, the lady called him over the phone when, in fact, he was located just a few feet away.

HH: "Good evening, sir. I found a lovely piece back there, but I believe the price is mistaken."

Assis. Man. David: "Well, m'am, let's go have a looksy" (looksy? Did he really just say that?)
"yep, you can take 80% off. Gee. that is still high. Hmmm, wish I could do something for you."

HH: "I will tell you what, I will give you $150 and we will call it a deal. What do you say?"

AMD: "I wish I could, sweetheart" (don't call me that, man, I am working here) "Tell you what, come back in a week and if it is still here, I will see what I can do for you."

SUCCESS!!! I will be back on exactly May 7th. Wish me luck!

So while the trip did not conclude with the purchase of a thrifty find, Trey did walk away with two bags of tees for under $10.