I have a story about getting the best price. It doesn't concern airfare but the principle is the same...
Years ago I went on vacation during the winter to Acapulco Mexico to enjoy the warm weather. When I arrived it was really hot and so I decided I needed a hat to protect my face from the sun. Well near the hotel that I stayed in were a number of shops selling the usual stuff to tourists. So I went in and found a (drug store variety) straw hat that I thought would do the trick. The hat was nice but simple and not worth much.
So I say to the sales clerk... How much is this hat ?
He then said - Oh that hat is very special. That is my finest hat. I will sell it to your for $40.
I then said... $40 ! That's way to much for this !... I'll give you $2 for it.
He then said - Oh no it is a very valuable hat. But since it is slow today I will give you a discount... $25
I then said... No way, $2 is it. That's all I will pay. And I began to leave the store.
He followed me out and said ... OK, OK I'll sell it for $10. You win...
I just kept walking...
He then said $5, $5 for the hat...
I just kept walking...
He then said OK, OK, You can have it for $2. So I turned around and went back into his store and bought the hat for $2.
As I wore the hat out of the shop, I couldn't help but thinking how smart I was, and what a good bargainer I was !
So back at the hotel, we went down to the pool, and after purchasing one of those frosty beverages that they have I spotted another tourist with the very same hat that I had purchased. So I strolled on over to where he was standing and said that - We have the same hat. We both must have good taste. He said that he had bought his hat in another shop down the road.
So I prodded a little... So how much did you pay for your hat ?
He then said that he had got it for $1.
In about 10 seconds I went from feeling really smug to feeling really stupid.
I had been ripped off !
That cheatin sales clerk !