# Negotiating at French flea markets

**Language:** French  
**CEFR Level:** A2  

> Listen in as Antoine and Manon talk about asking for discounts at local market stalls in real, everyday French. By the end of this course their conversation will feel easy to follow, and you'll be ready to join in.

**Setting:** Antoine visits Manon’s vintage stall at a Sunday flea market in Toulouse to buy antique crates and display pieces for his vineyard tasting room. As he browses her items, they discuss prices, bundle deals, and payment options throughout the morning.

## Lessons

### 1. Greeting a flea market vendor

Antoine arrives at Manon's stall and asks about wooden crates he spots on display. Manon invites him to inspect them closely.

### 2. Inquiring about item origins

Antoine notices writing on the crates, and Manon explains that they are sixty-year-old wine boxes from a château near Bordeaux.

### 3. Explaining your business needs

Antoine mentions that he makes wine in Gigondas and needs decorative crates for his new tasting room. Manon confirms his plan.

### 4. Asking unit prices and quantities

Antoine asks for the price per crate and tells Manon he wants to buy four. Manon calculates the initial total price for him.

### 5. Inspecting items for damage

Antoine spots a damaged crate, so Manon directs him to a better one at the back. Antoine confirms his pick of four crates.

### 6. Bargaining for a bulk discount

Antoine asks for a better price on the four crates. Manon acknowledges the flea market custom and agrees to lower the total to fifty euros.

### 7. Asking to look around

Antoine accepts the discount and asks to look at other items while Manon sets the crates aside. He then asks about an antique scale.

### 8. Inquiring about antique prices

Antoine pictures the vintage scale next to his wine bottles and asks Manon how much she is selling it for.

### 9. Expressing hesitation over prices

Antoine finds forty euros steep for the scale, while Manon highlights its copper build and warns him that her stall closes at one o'clock.

### 10. Asking for the combined total

Manon mentions another buyer interested in the scale to encourage a sale. Antoine asks for the total cost of the crates and scale together.

### 11. Negotiating a bundle deal

Antoine asks for a discount for buying multiple items. After Manon rejects his initial offer, they agree on eighty-five euros for everything.

### 12. Discussing accepted payment methods

Manon asks how Antoine would like to pay. When Antoine asks to pay by card, Manon explains she only accepts cash, so Antoine checks his wallet.

### 13. Counting cash for payment

Antoine counts out his bills and coins, falling short by one euro. Manon generously lets the missing euro go to support his new tasting room.

### 14. Arranging wrapping and transport

Manon wraps the scale in newspaper and offers to help carry two crates to Antoine's car. Antoine promises to bring her a bottle of wine next time.