How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Whatever they ask, offer ten dollars less. It's always a good idea," she said.
"And, besides, they must be desperate or something." (36-37)
When the young couple first comes across the yard sale, they immediately start strategizing for how to lowball the owner of all this stuff. Interestingly, they also refer to the older man as "desperate," though they haven't met him yet.
Quote #2
"Would you take forty?" the girl asked.
"I'll take forty," the man said. (46-47)
The older man doesn't seem to mind that the young couple is trying to haggle with him (in this case, over the bed), and immediately accepts their counter offers. Kind of indicates that he doesn't attach a whole lot of value to his stuff—monetary or otherwise—no?
Quote #3
"How about the TV?" the boy said.
"Twenty-five."
"Would you take fifteen?" the girl said.
"Fifteen's okay. I could take fifteen," the man said. (49-52)
This guy is not super interested in haggling with the couple, accepting their counter offers easily. He doesn't seem to care all that much about what he gets for his stuff, so long as it gets sold.