Doesn't Hurt to Ask

I saw a picture in a magazine of center pieces that consisted simply of a few single bud vases lumped together. I was intrigued. What a great idea. You still have the size, but not the expense of a full-flowered center piece. I decided to go with a silver charger plate with four varying sizes and colors of single bud vases each containing either a yellow, lime green, deep purple or hot pink flower. I was going to accumualate the vases by asking for donations and perusing garage sales. My first garage sale scour yielded a whopping 3 vases. I need 120. It would take me a lifetime at that rate. Then I had a stroke of genius: Thrift stores. I popped into St. Vincent de Paul in Colerain one lovely Saturday afternoon. Jackpot! The shelves were lined with single bud vases. And, they were each anywhere from .50 to $1. I called my mom super excited. I had just found the Mecca of single bud vases. I grabbed a cart and started filling it with any and every vase I could get my hands on. As I was making my mad dash, I happened to take notice of a piece of construction paper which contained the most beautiful words known to man, "50% off." Double, Super Jackpot Bonus. Called my mom again to tell her the amazing news. I walked out of there with 56 vases at a cost of $21. Pretty damn good.

From time to time I would stop in that thrift store and any others that I happened to be near. I have learned that St. Vincent de Paul is the cheapest thrift store. Goodwill seems to be the most expensive. I found some vases here and there, but never the jackpot I scored last September. Each time I went into the Colerain St. Vincent de Paul, there was a sign saying they were unable to offer sales on any of the shelf items due to low inventory. Well, I just refused to pay 'full price' so I would just walk out and figured I'd check a little later.

Last week, I thought I'd try a different St. Vincent de Paul thinking that perhaps it was only the Colerain store that was low on inventory. I went to the one on Este Ave, and they too were not offering discounts on shelf items. I felt defeated and aggravated. The Under Budget Bride cannot pay full price for vases. Oh, Thrift Store Gods, you tempted me with your crazy, super cheap sale and that is just something I cannot come back from. Yet, I couldn't ignore the fact that the wedding is closing in, and I still needed quite a few vases. I bit my lip and grabbed a cart. I was honestly quite sad as I checked the price written on the bottom of each vase I plucked from the shelves and placed into my cart. Oh, the agony. Most cost about $1. I trudged along the aisles slowly filling my cart.

By the time was I finished, I had managed to fill the basket. I looked down and just thought of the register Ka-chinging away, dollar by dollar. Ugh. Then I thought "What the hell? Why not ask for a discount?" The worst they can say is "No." And so I asked. "I know the sign says no discounts on shelf items but I am buying a large volume. They're for my wedding." I always throw in the wedding card. People love weddings and well, love. The one cashier went back to ask the manager, while I chatted with other. The first cashier came back, and said the manager would be up shortly. And we waited. I mentioned how some of the same vases were different prices. She said if she had known that, she would have just given me them at the lowest price which would have put me at $.50 per vase. Finally, the manager made it to the registers. I think we were all a little nervous about the verdict. The clerks wanted me to get a good deal. We became fast friends chatting about weddings and such while waiting on the manager. She took one quick look in the basket and simply said, "Give 'em to her for a quarter each." I walked out of there with 41 more vases at a cost of $11 with tax. Winning!