In 2001, antique shop owners in Santa Barbara were thrilled when they heard Oprah Winfrey was setting up housekeeping on her new 50 million dollar property in the neighborhood. But some were staggered to find out she can be as thrifty as she is rich. Oprah saw a an inlaid English table from the early 1900’s in an elegant store and noted the $8900 pricetag. “What’s your BEST price?” she asked. The shopkeeper told her “I’ll go down to $6900.” “Oh no,” Oprah clucked. “What price do you have in mind?” asked the dealer. Oprah shrugged “$2900?” The offended store owner suggested she shop elsewhere. And she did.