Bargaining is in our genes. We might live in a bungalow
worth a crore, but till we don’t bring down the rate of onion from Rs. 100 to Rs.90 a kg,
it doesn’t get pureed well in the blender. Not only that, the free
dhaniya/mircha is like a constitutional right for which even we can go on a dharna.
When I was growing up, there were no brands as such. We
shopped from local shops in Lucknow which were owned by my Sindhi uncles. So we
always got a discount of at least 20%. Plus, tea/coffee/Pepsi, gossip and a dinner invite. But when the likes of Shoppers Stop came
up, we had to wait for Sale to lure us into the store since arbitrary discount
or bargaining was not an option. And damn organised retail, they didn’t even give
us free polythene bags leave alone a glass of water.
Delhi, on the other hand, had pirates from the Arabian.
Sarojini/Janpath was selling ‘branded’ stuff for less. Shopping was a thrill in
these areas because it always felt like a victory after getting an item for
less than 50% of its original price. If the Bhaiya
said 500, I said 200 and easily got an item for Rs. 250.
This haggling is actually an art. You would see a female
falling in love with an item but then pretending that it’s just OK. Her
companion, if a man, would stand directly behind her chanting from 100 to 1 in
order to spare himself a headache from the cacophony. When will men understand that women do this to save money for old age dentures? Anyway, if Bhaiya would
agree to give a 1000 rupee item for Rs. 500, the transaction would be complete.
If Bhaiya is rigid, the female would
walk away with an air of indifference while praying in her heart for Bhaiya to call her back!
Seriously, when we do that fake walk-away, we feel so awful.
It’s like parting from the love of our life not knowing if our paths would
cross again. It is a different matter that we might not like the item ‘that
much’ when we bring it home. But that moment, that moment feels really sad.
Then comes the theory of buying in bulk. If one item is for
Rs. 300, a conscientious negotiator will demand 3 for the same price. It’s such
a funny trait but it always works. Both the parties have a hearty laugh in
their insides while their face remains totally grim. The transaction usually
ends with 2 for the same price and all parties are happy.
In such situations, any lady can give the likes of Smriti
Irani/Deepika Padukone a serious run for their money. I am sure if you sit with
a road-side vendor, he will be able to narrate hundreds of humorous bargain
stories with killer acting by the women in question. I am also sure that he
will be able to tell you how he sold an item that was worth a 100 for 500 by
quoting a 1000 and still seen immense satisfaction on a customer’s face.
That is why we never feel content even after getting a 50%
discount. That feeling of ‘we could have gotten it for less’ always remains. But
all’s well that ends well. Our momentary triumphant smile and Bhaiya’s happiness of fooling yet
another lady, is a win-win situation for all.
Really, shopping in malls is so boring when there is so much
drama in street shopping!
One day, if bargaining becomes a lost art, we know we have to blame the big retail outlets for defaming our culture.
ReplyDeletei am so bad at this... i just accept whatever they quote. everyone calls me a moron for it :)
ReplyDeletestill i never learn.. u cant teach this old dog new tricks...
i love shopping on the main local markets of my city. Bargaining I miss it soooooooooo bad.
ReplyDeletehahaha we love dramaaaaa
ReplyDeleteTrue to the letter. The vendor bhaiya cannot give something for the cost price else he can't pay his bills. So even if we get a huge discount, the thought he accepted only because there was some profit for him keeps nagging. And he knows we will bargain and so he has to quote more so that we ask for a profitable rate. So, all in all the win win situation you describe is the best one to accept.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, street shopping anytime than the mall-shopping.
I hate bargaining. And seriously, all that you detailed is so true. That walk away, that haggling over coriander and mirchi. Uff.
ReplyDelete