diff --git a/src/shk.c b/src/shk.c
index 73d563d80..e4a376600 100644
--- a/src/shk.c
+++ b/src/shk.c
@@ -4582,7 +4582,7 @@ shop_object(register coordxy x, register coordxy y)
             break;
     /* note: otmp might have ->no_charge set, but that's ok */
     return (otmp && costly_spot(x, y)
-            && NOTANGRY(shkp) && !helpless(shkp))
+            && NOTANGRY(shkp) && !muteshk(shkp))
                ? otmp
                : (struct obj *) 0;
 }
@@ -4628,15 +4628,15 @@ price_quote(register struct obj* first_obj)
     } else if (cnt == 1) {
         if (!cost) {
             /* "<doname(obj)>, no charge" */
-            pline("%s!", upstart(buf)); /* buf still contains the string */
+            verbalize("%s!", upstart(buf)); /* buf contains the string */
         } else {
             /* print cost in slightly different format, so can't reuse buf;
                cost and contentsonly are already set up */
             Sprintf(buf, "%s%s", contentsonly ? the_contents_of : "",
                     doname(first_obj));
-            pline("%s, price %ld %s%s%s", upstart(buf), cost, currency(cost),
-                  (first_obj->quan > 1L) ? " each" : "",
-                  contentsonly ? "." : shk_embellish(first_obj, cost));
+            verbalize("%s, price %ld %s%s%s", upstart(buf), cost,
+                      currency(cost), (first_obj->quan > 1L) ? " each" : "",
+                      contentsonly ? "." : shk_embellish(first_obj, cost));
         }
     }
     destroy_nhwindow(tmpwin);
diff --git a/src/sounds.c b/src/sounds.c
index 49e2c2c50..ab07595c3 100644
--- a/src/sounds.c
+++ b/src/sounds.c
@@ -608,7 +608,9 @@ domonnoise(register struct monst* mtmp)
     /* presumably nearness and sleep checks have already been made */
     if (Deaf)
         return ECMD_OK;
-    if (is_silent(ptr))
+    if (is_silent(ptr)
+        /* shk_chat can handle nonverbal monsters */
+        && !mtmp->isshk)
         return ECMD_OK;
 
     /* leader might be poly'd; if he can still speak, give leader speech */
@@ -617,13 +619,16 @@ domonnoise(register struct monst* mtmp)
     /* make sure it's your role's quest guardian; adjust if not */
     else if (msound == MS_GUARDIAN && ptr != &mons[gu.urole.guardnum])
         msound = mons[genus(monsndx(ptr), 1)].msound;
+    /* even polymorphed, shopkeepers retain their minds and capitalist bent */
+    else if (mtmp->isshk)
+        msound = MS_SELL;
     /* some normally non-speaking types can/will speak if hero is similar */
     else if (msound == MS_ORC
              && ((same_race(ptr, gy.youmonst.data)        /* current form, */
                   || same_race(ptr, &mons[Race_switch])) /* unpoly'd form */
                  || Hallucination))
         msound = MS_HUMANOID;
-    /* silliness, with slight chance to interfere with shopping */
+    /* silliness; formerly had a slight chance to interfere with shopping */
     else if (Hallucination && mon_is_gecko(mtmp))
         msound = MS_SELL;
 
@@ -645,7 +650,7 @@ domonnoise(register struct monst* mtmp)
         quest_chat(mtmp);
         break;
     case MS_SELL: /* pitch, pay, total */
-        if (!Hallucination || (mtmp->isshk && !rn2(2))) {
+        if (!Hallucination || is_silent(ptr) || (mtmp->isshk && !rn2(2))) {
             shk_chat(mtmp);
         } else {
             /* approximation of GEICO's advertising slogan (it actually