Feb 01, 2008 10:20 AM
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This dedicated to my all time favorite time pass and my MUCH PREFERED way to come out of sad mood! SHOPPING!
I know all the guys reading this going to say all the girls… will only think about Shopping and Shopping. Well I say it in different way… As we all mere mortals need air, water and food. We girls need SHOPPING:)
I will call Bargaining as an ART… Any one and every one can learn it and get the best deals possible. Easier said than done right? So here you go, my tips for great bargain deals anywhere and for anything.
.:. Rules for Best Bargain .:.
~ Chandsa Roshan Mukhda~
Ohh yes… You need really need friendly and smiling face. It will help you win many battles including Bargaining… You need to make the seller understand that you know he is lying and you are not falling for his trap. If you keep smiling he can’t ask you to leave and he is tempted more to sell to you as u r showing interest in the product.
~ Kismein Kitna Hai Dum~
Hold it… Don’t make your imagination wander here and there. I mean Confidence when I am saying Dum… Well you have to lie a lot during bargaining and you will be successful only if you do it with confidence. So make yourself prepared for it
~ Mujhe Sharam Aati Hai~
Nope. You are not allowed to. If you want to haggle you need to be shameless. Selfishly shameless. Just concentrate on your own gain. You should always think you are actually doing favor to the shopkeeper by purchasing the stuff.
~ Bhaiyaa Moree…~
Yes. Now you have to make loads of Bhaiyaas while you are bargaining your way to the best deal. It gives you a comfort level when you talk to him and he is also respected. It’s a very decent way to talk to the shop keeper. You behaving as if you are Queen will not help you, Chances are he will simply say go and find some other shop.
~ Mujhe Kuch Kehena Hai~
Okey… So You want to say something to a person accompanying you for shopping about the price that is been discussed… Do Not Say a Thing… This gives impression you are in doubt about the price you have quoted.
~ Bambaii se aaya mera Dost~
You belong to the same city that you are shopping. YES… I know its difficult but as you cant speak Gujraati if u r in Ahmedabad and Tamil if you are in Chennai. But u can still find your way out. Best is HINDI as its our national language and 90% Janta understands. So start with confidence and Best Hindi… My favorite line is “Hum Naye nahi hai yah pe”
.:. Places for Best Bargain .:.
Now this is a very important part. You need to decide what you want to buy and where you will find it? Every place has its own specialty and you get particular stuff authentic and in less price. Now let me put it in this way, you can’t ask for Electronic stuff on Linking Road. So be very clear with your agenda and decide a day earlier before going for shopping.
.:. Kaha se Shuru Karu? .:.
You can’t bargain in large retail stores. Bargaining works in Small shops, independent shops and on Footpath.
~ Independent Shops~
Here you can bargain and a lot. Whenever you are in independent shops the ticket value(Amount paid at one time purchase) is more than what you will pay on flea market. Here Higher the Ticket value higher is the chance to bargain. Here you can negotiate for discount. This will make sure you will buy more items in less cost.
e.g.Consider buying Dress Material from an independent Shop
Ask for price of 10 – 15 dress materials and then select 3 out of those. Start with asking price for one. Ask him how much will he reduce. He will definitely say NO. Then keep on saying you liked it but it’s not in your budget(Don’t forget the smile:D).Never give your own price to him. Then ask him how much will he reduce if you take two dresses? Give him hope that you are willing to buy both. Let him be convinced that you liked the materials. When he has reduced saying 10 – 15% discount, offer him you will buy 3 materials and ask him to give it to you in price of the two materials.
His first reaction will be NO. But then keep on pressing him. He will break.
PS: The 3rd Material which you plan to buy must have less price compared to the other two you have already purchased.
This trick can be played in any small time shop. Even you should check out for discounts in Hotels and restaurants before paying bill. Sometimes they may have special policy for particular age group(Students), particular working group(Like employees of Kanbay, IBM etc) which you can avail.
~ Footpath / Flea Market~
I think bargaining came into existence only because of such small Flea Markets. You must be thinking you won’t get quality stuff in all these shops, then hold on you do get. The only thing you need is eye for the stuff.
You have to check few customers before you before you start bargaining. You will have an idea how much is the price people are buying in the particular market. E.g. Linking Road – Pair of sandals / shoes should be purchased for Rs. 150 only. You should not give even a penny more than that.
Now when you have selected particular item ask him the price. He will tell you anything ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 700. Tell him it’s too high price for the particular item. He will ask how much you want to pay? For first 2 – 3 mins don’t give your price and then you should quote your first price somewhere near 10 – 15% of the price he has given you. Like Rs. 100. He will out and out will say NO. But don’t bend. Keep the smile on your face and go on asking him how much will he reduce. By this time he should be somewhere near Rs. 400. Increase your price by Rs. 10. He will be bit more annoyed but he will further reduce his price and will be now at Rs. 350. Keep on increasing you price by Rs. 10 till Rs. 150 and he will be ready to sell you the item at that price. Rs. 150 is my favorite number as I pick up most of the sandals at this price only.
Same thing goes for clothes, watches, jewelry, purses etc in flea markets. The rules remain same across all the flea markets. You just have be patient observer and listener before indulging into shopping.
Now you know the rules of the game and the Best way to win in also.
What are you waiting for? Go out and Happy shopping this weekend.
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