<div><p>Suddenly, even an old-fashioned discount doesn't look like such a good deal.</p><p>A string of New York stores used to stand out with their ridiculously good bargains on high-end fashion. But as the economic crisis bites here and around the world, even these consumer paradises are discovering tough times.</p><p>The most famous of such stores is Century 21, a stone's throw from the site of the September 11, 2001 attacks at the southern tip of Manhattan, with four floors of everything from jeans to shower curtains at cut-rates.</p><p>From early morning Thursday the complex buzzed with a crowd comprised mostly of foreigners filling red plastic shopping carts with shoes, shirts and scarves.</p><p>Tomo, 33, from Tokyo, said the deals were still too good to resist.</p><p>"The yen is strong, so I buy much better than in Japan. This Polo Ralph Lauren boxer shorts which cost 9.99 would cost around 30 dollars in Japan," he said.</p><p>"I cannot find my favorite brand for pants. I will go to Barney's and pay more but still less than in Tokyo," added Tomo, a graphic artist who says he visits New York annually to stock up his wardrobe.</p><p>Century 21 may still be cheaper than typical outlets, but it has to work harder these days to persuade people that it is cheap enough.</p><p>Posters plaster the walls boasting of price differences and extra discounts.</p><p>For example a four-piece pack of Lancome cosmetics "was 80 dollars, now 72.50 dollars, value 109 dollars."</p><p>Other fashion-conscious discount chains -- Daffy's, Syms, Filene's Basement, and Designer Shoe Warehouse -- compete with Century 21 in the market for surplus luxury goods.</p><p>Yet their margin is fading as regular stores, even the most luxurious retailers, slash prices with desperate sales of 50, even 70 percent through the key pre-Christmas shopping season.</p><p>Laura Marrocolla, a saleswoman at Century 21 for the last decade, conceded that the discount world was suffering.</p><p>"The store is busy but less than last year. The euro is down a little. Usually it is packed from the morning, but not this year, although this is Christmas period," she said.</p><p>There are relatively few Americans in such shops, which have been havens for foreigners taking advantage of a weak dollar.</p><p>But now as the dollar climbs that too is changing, prompting tourists to spend less.</p><p>The crisis has also impacted on ritzy second hand stores where demand has dropped and supply is rising.</p><p>One of the fanciest chains, Ina, sells Chanel handbags at 1,600 dollars, a huge discount off the newly bought price. Mink jackets sell for 4,000 dollars.</p><p>But still hardly anyone is buying. At Ina's Prince Street outlet customers browsed without making purchases and the manager could be heard negotiating with someone proposing to sell goods.</p><p>"You want 75 percent of the sale? No, here it's 50-50," she said to a woman attempting to sell her jewels at the store.</p><p>At Tokyo 7 -- a treasure trove of Gucci skirts at 250 dollars and Valentino dresses at 160 dollars -- a young woman was trying to unload a pair of boots that had originally cost her 1,200 dollars.</p><p>"Propose a price," the shop representative said.</p><p>When the would-be seller asked for 800 dollars, the shop representative gasped.</p><p>"You must be kidding. You can find brand new ones on sale for half the price! I can try to sell them for 200 dollars, 100 for you, 100 for me."</p><p>The woman with the boots finally accepted the conditions. "I have no choice. I need money," she said.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=38692313&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2008  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP Global Edition</a></div></div>