How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?

Shopping in India can be just as uninteresting as it is in NA if you want it to be. Maybe there are too many things that are different so you may long for the sameness that a Mall can bring you. A Mall in India looks like a Mall in NA, the only difference that I notice is that there are a lot more employees per store, a lot more. In a department style store, every aisle has a permanent presence, so as long as you can make yourself understood, you will find what you are looking for (unless it is sugar free). A Mall can make you forget you are in a foreign land for a period of time (mostly).

Store bought goods, specifically packaged goods must have a price on them stamped by the manufacturer, like an MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price), this is by law to reduce dishonesty at the consumer level. A store can sell for less than that price but not for more. However, the bulk of spending in India occurs outside the store enviroment at the market level. Legitimate vendors require permits and will be found at the same spot time after time but there is an equal amount of illegitimate vendors who set up nearby to the legitimate sites to syphon off as much business as possible. These vendors risk seizure of their entire inventory but the rampant corruption that exists in Indian society means that few, if any, vendors are truly at risk.

Buying at at market means bargaining (haggling). As a Sales Agent, I have been negotiating most of my adult life, whether using my skills to get a better deal for my company or when I am out and about to make sure I am getting the best deal from vendors. By percentage, however, most NA's pay the price they see with only a few exceptions; cars, homes and yard sales. Funnily, however, I do not negotiate at Yard Sales. When I visit a Yard Sale, there is nothing that I need so badly that I need it at a lower price. When I have a Yard Sale of my own to sell all the stuff I bought at Yard Sales, I have priced it low enough that there should be no need to negotiate. When offered a lower price, I look at them and say "Really? A dollar is too much?" which is usually enough to quell any further negotiating, so I guess I am negotiating after all.

In India, I could pay full price and I am still getting a terrific deal. I bought a pair of shoes, which I doubt I could find for under $50 in NA. The Vendor's opening price was 350rp (5.95Cdn), I let my hosts talk him down to 200rp (3.40Cdn).  Another purchase was a chunri (shawl), the opening price was 250rp (4.28Cdn) and the final price was 100rp (1.71Cdn). For the most part, I let my hosts do the negotiating,  It helps to keep things friendly.  I am a little too harsh in my negotiation style, more of a take it or leave it type. Since there is nothing I actually need, anything I am buying is either a gift for someone else or as a tchotchke destined to be dusted endlessly (then sold at a Yard Sale). So my desire to buy at all is low thus I prefer to walk away.

The other reason that I let my hosts negotiate is that as a white, my opening price will be higher, probably about four times actual price, so negotiating to the lowest price is more arduous. My hosts will sometimes say, 'you could pay less for that' but at some point paying a lower price does not benefit me more but paying a little more will benefit the Vendor. I bought a Guide Book, the opening price was 350rp (6.08Cdn) which I purchased when he negotiated himself down to 100rp (1.71Cdn). What is the real value to me in negotiating further. What would I do with the 20 or 30 more cents that I could wring out of this guy versus what could he do with that same money.

Good or bad negotiator, prices here are terrifically low. If you are visiting, I would pack about half what you intend to pack and buy the rest here, you will not be disappointed. Colourful choices, excellent prices, the thrill of haggling, what more could you want? (This message is brought to you by Tourism India.)

Beggars can't be choosers.