Dented Range

It wasn't a good day to be delivering appliances. It rained more on that day than it has rained in a very long time. The curb was a raging torrent. The water was dripping off the roof and gushing out the downspouts and running down the driveway and lapping at the lip of the garage.

No, it wasn't a good day to be delivering appliances. But it was the day our range was due.

The truck pulled up early. One of the guys was charged with unloading our new, black range from the back, while the other did the paperwork and the installation. And he was the one who pointed out the dent.

Our new black Kenmore range had a dent in the side. They had noticed it at the warehouse when they picked it up. He said we had two options: reject the delivery or ask for a discount.

It was a no-brainer. This was the weekend before Thanksgiving, after all. And anyway, the dent wouldn't show.

Let me give you a hint, the paperwork guy said. When you talk to them about the discount ... start high.

We all chuckled. Then his partner (who had now finished loading the old range onto the truck and stashing all the trash) dialed the phone. He said something to the person on the other end and then handed me the phone.

Mr. Hasan?

Yes.

I understand that your range is damaged.

Eventually she asked me how much I wanted, but I wasn't really prepared for that question right there on the spot. I figured I'd have some more time to practice my starting high. For a moment I was silent, and then I looked over at Trudy. She mouthed a figure to me, and I nodded.

Fifty-five dollars, I said.

Fifty-five. We can do that. she said instantly. The deal was done, and I hung up the phone.

I said seventy-five! she said as she erupted in laughter.

I didn't start high. I felt like a schmuck.

Later that night, as we lay in bed falling asleep, Trudy rolled over to me and whispered in my ear, I'm so happy I married a man who isn't greedy.

That made me feel better, but I wonder what the delivery guys thought.

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