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Is it possible to agree with everyone here?  My parents have been in small businesses since '78, from post offices to pubs.  Having worked along side them at various times I've some knowledge of the constant struggle between credits and debits on the ledger.  But unlike my father, who is of the generous honest type, business sense evades me and in his position I'd be even more so generous. My  unrealistic and simplistic approach to business would see me marched out the back door as Styria says.

Unsuited to business, I have the safety of a govt job, but my true calling is also my hobby and it has a name.  Professional Consumer.   I've been a procon since I earned my first dollar.  My training has been on the job and if there's one thing lacking, it's the ability to haggle. I see a price and either like it or I go elsewhere.  But price doesn't dictate alone.  My most rewarding purchases are those coupled with honesty and service.  It's that old fashioned customer service I love that gets my dollar.

Bingo, make people happy, do them a good deal, they come back, make them really happy and give them a great deal, they tell their friends and they come to you too. No matter what it is.

I'm like you OzBenzHead, when i see a price thats outrageous, i wont even look at it twice. I'll continue shopping. And then at the end of the day if at work, if all suppliers are much the same price wise, ill go for the one that can deliver the quickest. Even then, if they are all on par, I'll go for the one that has the politest telephone manner. Anyone thats rude to me, even if cheaper will not get my business, my suppliers are learning this now after callbacks asking why their no longer getting my business. I make the decisions and i have no tolerance to rudeness