[DARISC]

Gee, I don't know if I can sell you that car at such a low price. Give me a few minutes and I'll check with my manager.

Salesman leaves couple sitting in his little 'office', goes to another office and listens in on his bugged office.

Gee, Honey, do you think he'll come down that low? Well he damn well better, Sweetie! But, I really like the car. It's so cute and the only robin's egg blue one we've found, Honey. Well, Sweetie, I won't pay a dime more than (somewhere between what the salesman wants and what I offered).

Salesman, returns and makes them a 'terrific offer' only slightly higher than what Honey told Sweetie he'd pay and closes the deal.

Don't know if some still bug the sales offices and use this tactic, but they used to.

As far as a handshake goes, I'm not big on handshaking in general. Show me the contract and I'll sign it or they can rewrite it. I don't think you were an ass. Besides, you were roped in - would your case qualify as 'bait and switch'?