Epically subverted and unwittingly played straight in a later book by Skeeve. He's in so much of a hurry that he halts a Deveel merchant's bargaining gambits cold with "look, I'm in a real hurry, just give me your final price and I'll pay it." The Deveel is so taken aback by this that he just tosses the item to Skeeve with a resigned, eyerolling sigh — yes, Skeeve has Xanatos Gambit'ted the most ruthless merchant-species in the multiverse into giving him something for free, with no strings attached and entirely by accident. If the Deveel had just named the price, Skeeve would've won the bargain by getting the price he wanted without any fuss. If the Deveel had tried to bargain anyway, Skeeve would've moved on, with the Deveel losing the sale and profit — a huge sin that's implied to be a major shame to the Deveels. The Deveel Took a Third Option, and Skeeve still got the item for free without any bargaining or strings or profit for the Deveel!
This scene's in "Hit or Myth", and takes place shortly after Skeeve introduces the Fairy Godfather Don Bruce to the Bazaar on Deva. But what is written is NOT what happened.
Skeeve was initially in disguise, since he didn't want to be identified hanging around with Don Bruce and his mooks; Skeeve was effectively introducing organized crime to the Bazaar by telling Don Bruce about it. (It's a long story.)
Skeeve needed to solve another problem with the King and Queen-to-be of Possiltum, and figured while he was at the Bazaar, he may as well look around for something to solve that problem.
The answer literally walked right past him -a deveel with one of those trays that have a neck strap/harness thing for support. He was selling rings with an enchantment that they could never be removed. Because of [long explanation], Skeeve realized such rings could be a great help to solving his royalty problem.
Skeeve made the "I'll pay the final price" offer, the deveel sneered at him, Skeeve dropped his disguise and introduced himself.
Turns out Skeeve the Great had acquired quite the reputation at the Bazaar after the events of the third book, Myth Directions; this particular deveel had made a fortune betting on Skeeve's team. (Long story.) He promptly offered Skeeve the use of any of his product in any amount -all Skeeve had to do was agree the deveel could tell everyone Skeeve the Great used his products.
Later, Tananda introduces Skeeve to the concept of "endorsements". (She doesn't get much farther due to Aahz reappearing.)
Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett
This scene's in "Hit or Myth", and takes place shortly after Skeeve introduces the Fairy Godfather Don Bruce to the Bazaar on Deva. But what is written is NOT what happened.
Skeeve was initially in disguise, since he didn't want to be identified hanging around with Don Bruce and his mooks; Skeeve was effectively introducing organized crime to the Bazaar by telling Don Bruce about it. (It's a long story.)
Skeeve needed to solve another problem with the King and Queen-to-be of Possiltum, and figured while he was at the Bazaar, he may as well look around for something to solve that problem.
The answer literally walked right past him -a deveel with one of those trays that have a neck strap/harness thing for support. He was selling rings with an enchantment that they could never be removed. Because of [long explanation], Skeeve realized such rings could be a great help to solving his royalty problem.
Skeeve made the "I'll pay the final price" offer, the deveel sneered at him, Skeeve dropped his disguise and introduced himself.
Turns out Skeeve the Great had acquired quite the reputation at the Bazaar after the events of the third book, Myth Directions; this particular deveel had made a fortune betting on Skeeve's team. (Long story.) He promptly offered Skeeve the use of any of his product in any amount -all Skeeve had to do was agree the deveel could tell everyone Skeeve the Great used his products.
Later, Tananda introduces Skeeve to the concept of "endorsements". (She doesn't get much farther due to Aahz reappearing.)
Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett