Was selling my old bike on Marketplace. Guy spent 45 minutes negotiating me down from $80 to $55. Then asked if I could throw in a free helmet.
I'd had this bike for like 6 years, good condition, just wasn't using it anymore. Listed at $80 which was already pretty fair for what it was. Guy shows up, spends literally 45 minutes going over every tiny scratch, telling me about three other bikes he'd seen cheaper, asking if I'd take $70, then $65, then "what's the lowest you'd go." We eventually land on $55 and I'm fine with it, whatever, I just want it gone.
He hands me the cash, looks around my garage, sees my old bike helmet on a shelf and goes "that part of the deal?" I said no. He goes "ah come on you're not even using it" which, correct, but also not the point. I said the helmet's not for sale. He said "not for sale or not for free" and genuinely winked at me.
I picked up the helmet and put it behind some boxes. He laughed like it was a fun game we were playing together. Took the bike, said "next time throw in the helmet" on his way out like there's gonna be a next time, like we have an ongoing business relationship now.
Rode off on my bike. In my neighborhood. Helmetless. Which is a him problem I guess.
$55 is $55. But the wink. The wink I think about.