tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post2035837022489953491..comments2023-10-09T18:12:29.276+07:00Comments on Agelessbonding: That was a bargain!Ushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-15277085649040137492007-04-10T18:33:00.000+07:002007-04-10T18:33:00.000+07:00JLT: I realised what a fine art it was and the sub...JLT: I realised what a fine art it was and the subtle games being played only on that day. But yes, as you say it cannot be all learnt. The finesse is inborn.Ushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-18292258859751954542007-04-10T18:09:00.000+07:002007-04-10T18:09:00.000+07:00OOOH! the pleasure of a getting a good bargain is ...OOOH! the pleasure of a getting a good bargain is almost indescribable, except by those hwo have done/witnessed it. Your friend is marvellous. Reminded me of a pal of mine- her husband keeps a discreet distance from her when they go shopping. He says that this is to avoid getting slapped by the seller.<BR/>If a thing costs 100, my friend starts at 15.(watching her go thru her spiel is riveting). The seller pretends to be insulted, offended, pained at her offer. But what amazes me is that both of them still linger to complete the deal. <BR/><BR/>Finally she gets it at less than half the quoted price! Almost always. I should tell her to go to Turkey, Egypt or Africa on her annual holidays, where she can hone her art. <BR/>I have learnt a bit from her, but then art can't all be learnt, some of it is inborn!Just Like Thathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04156108159461377932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-77223621402169667712007-03-17T02:59:00.000+07:002007-03-17T02:59:00.000+07:00A typo (wisdon) is included, only for you, for fre...A typo (wisdon) is included, only for you, for free.CatGunHomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14240093725180164656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-8406002603659538782007-03-17T02:58:00.000+07:002007-03-17T02:58:00.000+07:00In my wise, educated, wisdon-filled, enlightened, ...In my wise, educated, wisdon-filled, enlightened, intellectual, insightful, introspective, influencial, uplifting, balanced, objective, logical and coherent opinion, the desire/ demand to/for bargain is just an euphemism for human touch, which the West sadly lacks. Perhaps the only reason that prevents poor countries like ours from having a bunch of serial killers, violent madmen and others is that we can reach out to another person and talk.CatGunHomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14240093725180164656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-10744228255139683692007-03-16T19:52:00.000+07:002007-03-16T19:52:00.000+07:00Sunita:I can only think of that as the rationale b...Sunita:I can only think of that as the rationale behind not having a fixed price. They do not intend to be dishonest you know.<BR/>I also take a similar attitude when it comes to spending a lot of time vis a vis knocking of a few bucks but my friend's approach was different - she wanted to have value for her money. she knew the quality and its worth and so was sure she could bring him round to it and it worked.<BR/><BR/>Rajesh: Thanks.<BR/>While we can value the raw material that goes in how do you estimate the cost of labour and the creativity that has gone into a hand made piece. It is totally subjective right?<BR/><BR/>STS: Thanks. pls do. I hope I have imbibed some of it in the hour spent there!Ushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-76748587375665385042007-03-16T17:08:00.000+07:002007-03-16T17:08:00.000+07:00awesome stuff usha! I am horrible at bargaining - ...awesome stuff usha! I am horrible at bargaining - i almost feel like I am disrespecting the person if I suggest a lower price. I must touch base with you - if I do visit bangalore.Something to Sayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03568614313809544638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-90174231799918185892007-03-16T11:22:00.000+07:002007-03-16T11:22:00.000+07:00Nice write up Usha, as usual makes me think on the...Nice write up Usha, as usual makes me think on the paradigms of buyers and settlers and our MRTP stuff..<BR/><BR/>hard to believe that 'art' can be tagged with price but the proposition like not having a price tag makes almost every piece on judgemental value!! humm... perhaps will take time to digest this one!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17691849551336891512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-69417505110868490142007-03-15T18:41:00.000+07:002007-03-15T18:41:00.000+07:00I like the perspective you brought in of what you ...I like the perspective you brought in of what you think is 'worth' while bargaining hand-made-crafts.<BR/><BR/>If I can manage to knock off a two or five in a bargain, I feel all great but it requires patience & time and sometimes its not even worth it.Sunitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07347370529459467244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-49988950408173306972007-03-14T20:09:00.000+07:002007-03-14T20:09:00.000+07:00Hipgran:Oh yes, I have heard similar stories parti...Hipgran:Oh yes, I have heard similar stories particularly about antique purchases. But this kind sells kashmiri arts and crafts, carpets and shawls and jewellery. No such issues. Genuine shop.<BR/><BR/>Rajaram:Heheh..yes, guilty as charged. But how could I bring out the whole concept of this leisurely bargaining without faithfully reproducing the whole sequence of events!<BR/>Thanks for being patient.Ushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-42888461805532355442007-03-14T19:55:00.000+07:002007-03-14T19:55:00.000+07:00I guess you wanted to write a post as long as your...I guess you wanted to write a post as long as your shopping experience :-) One of the longest posts i have ever had the patience to read. But, it was interesting, like a thriller :-) Was keen to know what the final decision was and at what priceRajaram Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05046791020882868220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-45205411409376593422007-03-14T18:14:00.000+07:002007-03-14T18:14:00.000+07:00I almost missed this post the post on stray dogs t...I almost missed this post the post on stray dogs that followed kind of over powered my senses.<BR/>While in America I read a true story about an American woman visiting Turkey who was offered some antique pieces which she bought at a throwaway price after a lot of bargaining.In fact she bought 3 pieces just to keep the vendor off her route.she was subsequently arrested for having smuggled goods in her possession and the rest of the story deals with how she was harased by customs officials and how her status as a foriegner went against her getting a fair trial and so on.I am sure this shop did not sell smuggled goods.I want to just warn those who may be tempted to buy from unauthorised vendorsHip Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16891699611146003601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-35338649178024273852007-03-14T18:11:00.000+07:002007-03-14T18:11:00.000+07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Hip Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16891699611146003601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-27527674021720096592007-03-13T18:00:00.000+07:002007-03-13T18:00:00.000+07:00pradeep:Ya, that is my problem with non fixed pric...pradeep:Ya, that is my problem with non fixed price too - I don't know what is the right price. But here it is ok because if you like a carpet and are willing to go upto 25 k for it, then you go through the process until you get him to agree to that price. Or there is no deal!<BR/>One has top look around a bit before such deals to get a general idea I think.<BR/><BR/>Mahadevan: Security of a fixed price may be ok for the day to day things and regular buys but for one off buys, arts and crafts, bargaining may bereing in a bit of charm and challenge.<BR/>Delhi haat - looks like I ought to make a trip to delhi soon to enjoy all this.<BR/><BR/>Altoid: This isn't the CIE on MG road. This is the CAE on infantry road.VCIE would be offended if you bargained, lol.Ya please let me know when you go there next.You will certainly have an adventure.And I will give you a top up course.<BR/><BR/>ITW: Yes, come back and tell us your experience!Ushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-86874020663021315632007-03-13T17:01:00.000+07:002007-03-13T17:01:00.000+07:00Wow! chess game indeedNext time I shud go thereWow! chess game indeed<BR/>Next time I shud go thereItchingtowritehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00763940951418027045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-3951755186662020722007-03-13T02:07:00.000+07:002007-03-13T02:07:00.000+07:00LOL! the many times I've been to Cottage Industrie...LOL! the many times I've been to Cottage Industries has been to pick up a couple of items, pay for it and exit. Never even imagined such a traditional "buyer-seller" bonhomie exists!<BR/><BR/>And who would've thunk they'd feel offended at the absence of bargaining. I will definitely call you the next time I am there!Altoidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905810697784377192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-51806211373725834852007-03-12T15:59:00.000+07:002007-03-12T15:59:00.000+07:00"Security of a fixed price" - I think many settle ..."Security of a fixed price" - I think many settle for this. <BR/><BR/>The price we are willing to pay is the value we attach to a thing. This is what the seller is precisely trying to find out. As you have pointed out correctly, if the seller also happen to be the producer, he would like to know what the customers feel about it and what value they want to attach. <BR/><BR/>At times we feel elated that we could outsmart the vendor. Here we want to pat us on our back for our bargaining ability and we really do not attach any value to the goods. <BR/><BR/>I think Delhi Hatt is a lovely place for bargaining, especially for pashmiras and I read yesterday that they are planning a Hatt at Mumbai ( Belapaur, Navi Mumbai) and Bangalore too.Mahadevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659899620865902690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-13271641000363117032007-03-12T15:27:00.000+07:002007-03-12T15:27:00.000+07:00"I now know your taste. I think I have the right o..."I now know your taste. I think I have the right one for you..." Such words make you stay on...<BR/><BR/>But I am always skeptical when people reduce the price... bec no one sells anything for a loss... <BR/><BR/>Once in Ahmedabad, I bought jeans, shoes etc after the seller reduced more than 3/4th the original amount. But at the end of it all, I was left with a funny feeling of "what is it really worth?!"<BR/><BR/>And also I wonder whether I bought the stuff, because he wanted to sell or I wanted to buy?Pradeep Nairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04873369124947878452noreply@blogger.com