5 Ways To Bargain When Shopping On The Streets Of Mumbai

Which is the one art that is common among all of us? Bargaining. You either know it or you just KNOW it. Now, while other skills might take a few years to develop or developed within you, this is something that comes from experience. And when you have reached the highest level, you are a pro. Friends, relatives and neighbours wouldn’t just be able able to do without you. Don’t believe me? Ask the saamne wali auntiji who bargained with the bhajiwala in the morning.

But then the skill also limits you to which department do you excel in. For example, the saamne wali auntyji can definitely bargain and take bhaji from thirty five bucks a kilo to thirty bucks a kilo, but she may not be able to bargain with the vendors at Colaba causeway or Linking road in Mumbai. Worry not, as we enlighten you on different ways of bargaining on the streets of Mumbai. Read on!

I am always right

Suppose, you caught sight of an apparel which you would buy had you been in a mall. But you know you can have it, because you are in the the centre of a bargain plaza. So what do you do? You don’t simply walk upto the vendor and start talking. You ask him what material is it made up of, what would it cost if it was made of some other material, and finally play your trump card, something like- Itne bhaav ka lene ka thha toh mall mein jaati na (I would have gone to a mall if I had to pay as much).

Fixed Price does not exist

If you got your eyes laid on something that’s under the ‘Fixed rate’ board, remember that there is nothing called fixed rate when it comes to bargaining. Mumbai is different. Haggling works even at shops flaunting some status, shown by the ‘ Fixed Price’.

Indifference works

Not letting the salesman know about your interest in that stuff always works as an advantage. Because the seller gets to know about your deep interest in a particular item, he would quote a price much higher than what it is worth for. What do you do then? You show interest in a number of different items one after the other and then come to your favourite piece. Quote a price and if he does not agree for about three or four times, tell him that you’ll ready to take two if he gives you at that price. Bang! He’s ready.

Neither your nor mine

This is the most used line, in the field of bargaining. Anywhere, anything and you say Naa aapka naa mera, itne mein fix karo (Neither your nor mine. Fix this rate). The best part is the strategy works like nothing does. Maybe, the vendor connects with your mentality there. (wink)

Going for the kill

Incase, the reduced prices are not anywhere close to what you wanted the thing for, just walk away with a sad face. Walk away like you really liked the thing and are deeply saddened that you don’t have it. They suggest their best price and you are still not ready to spend as much. You try the stunt again, and the ball is in your court. This time, you quote your best price, which the vendor is bound to agree to, as this is best he can get. But, make sure you try this stunt only at some time, when the streets are not very crowded. Else, he’ll have many other customers to seel the item to.

You may not be a pro if it’s your first, second or third time. But trust me bargaining is just like solving maths. The more you practice, the higher you score.