diff --git a/arogue5/trader.c b/arogue5/trader.c
index 17d8e44..b616c5b 100644
--- a/arogue5/trader.c
+++ b/arogue5/trader.c
@@ -51,7 +51,16 @@ buy_it(void)
 	}
 	mpos = 0;
 	if (curprice > purse) {
-	    msg("You can't afford to buy that %s !",curpurch);
+	    if (!strncmp(curpurch, "a ", 2))
+		msg("You can't afford to buy that %s!", curpurch + 2);
+	    else if (!strncmp(curpurch, "an ", 3))
+		msg("You can't afford to buy that %s!", curpurch + 3);
+	    else if (!strncmp(curpurch, "some ", 5))
+		msg("You can't afford to buy that %s!", curpurch + 5);
+	    else if (isdigit(curpurch[0]))
+		msg("You can't afford to buy those %s!", curpurch);
+	    else
+		msg("You can't afford to buy that %s!", curpurch);
 	    return;
 	}
 	/*
diff --git a/arogue7/trader.c b/arogue7/trader.c
index 32914c5..7abaa56 100644
--- a/arogue7/trader.c
+++ b/arogue7/trader.c
@@ -55,7 +55,14 @@ buy_it(void)
 	}
 	mpos = 0;
 	if (curprice > purse) {
-	    msg("You can't afford to buy that %s !",curpurch);
+	    if (!strncmp(curpurch, "a ", 2))
+		msg("You can't afford to buy that %s!", curpurch + 2);
+	    else if (!strncmp(curpurch, "an ", 3))
+		msg("You can't afford to buy that %s!", curpurch + 3);
+	    else if (isdigit(curpurch[0]))
+		msg("You can't afford to buy those %s!", curpurch);
+	    else
+		msg("You can't afford to buy that %s!", curpurch);
 	    return;
 	}
 	/*