I don’t like to haggle.

It stresses me out because I’ve been lucky to make a good living. I sometimes feel cheap looking for bargains, and worse when I have to dicker.

But there I was, at a Tire Warehouse again. Our Toyota Tacoma pickup wore out its original tires last fall. I bought 4 highly rated Bridgestone Snow Tires in November when the lines were long and the waiting area was packed.

I remember asking them what was the best snow tire they had. He printed a quote and I said OK. I didn’t shop. Didn’t price compare.

So now here I was, a little late. It’s June and I need to get those snow tires off, why waste them on summer? The place is empty, no one buys tires now.

Then I notice the sign.

WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! We will meet or beat any competitors price, or YOUR TIRES ARE FREE!

I chuckled. That made no sense. Why add the part about free tires? Since that would never happen. If all they had to do was “meet or beat.” In fact why even beat a competitors price, since the guarantee only requires you “meet” it?

Still, I didn’t think about haggling. I got three quotes. Good. Better. Best. Tires that lasted 40,000, 60,000 or 70,000 miles. From about $650 installed to $850 for the high end. And my inclination is to always get the best. They last longer and presumably are of higher quality. I don’t know this for a fact, I just assume you get what you pay for.

I was about to just say yes, but the high-end tire had a Japanese brand name I’d never heard of. Yokohama Geolander HT’s. I figured I should look online for some reviews.

“Mind if I research these?”

“No problem, can we start removing your snow tires?” I realized that was the close. It meant I was buying tires or driving away on just rims. I laughed. Then I remembered the sign.

WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!

It turns out that Walmart had that same tire on sale for $113, not the $154 that I was quoted. I felt bad. I thought about all the companies that go belly up when a Walmart opens nearby.

The clerk was not concerned. He yawned. Said something about how Walmart might not have it in stock, which technically would negate the offer. (There’s always fine print, you know.) But then he punched it into his computer screen, and it was “accepted!”

I couldn’t wait to tell Lisa. Talking someone down in price is almost an aphrodisiac to her. I knew she’d be pleased.

So did I save $164, or did I prevent myself from being ripped off? Was it all a game, to get more money from people who are too lazy or timid? Or am I part of the reason that businesses are going under? Between Walmart and Amazon, how does anybody stay afloat selling anything?