SLC-S24/W1 - Tangled Emotion | The Powerful Conversation.

tanvirahammad10 (64)in Ladies Universe • 2 months ago

Hello..!!
My Dear Friends,
I am @tanvirahammad10 from #Bangladesh 🇧🇩

Here is my entry to the contest, "Steemit Challenge S24W1 | Powerful Debate - Tangled Emotions." I go with topic 2 : A customer Debates with a Shopkeeper for a Discount . Now let's move to my entry.

^{The picture was made by Canva}

Rajab Ali is a member of a middle-class family. He goes to the market in the evening every time. Because at that time the market is almost gone, and the price of raw materials is low. And he buys things with that seller at a bargain price. During his experience of this bargain, there is always such a dialogue.

Customer: Brother, what's the price of tomatoes today?

Shopkeeper: Brother, throughout the day I sold them at 60 taka per kilo. Now only a few are left; you can take them at 50 taka per kilo if you want.

Customer: (A bit annoyed) Oh no brother, just two days ago I bought them at 40 taka per kilo. If it's so expensive today, I won’t take it.

Shopkeeper: (Surprised) Brother, even if I sell it at 45 taka per kilo, if I give it to you at 40 taka now, I’ll make no profit.

Customer: Alright brother, if it’s not possible, then there’s no use staying here. I’m heading to the next shop.

Shopkeeper: (Pleading) I’m sitting here with these few leftover vegetables. Once I sell these, I can go home. Please brother, just add two more taka and take them.

Customer: Okay brother, fine. Give me the tomatoes.

Shopkeeper: Brother, it’s a little more than 2 kilos. Please give me 85 taka.

Customer: Alright brother, I’m paying.

Shopkeeper: Brother, you always bargain so much, but since you’re an old customer, I don’t turn you away.

Customer: (Smiling slightly) Brother, without bargaining, it doesn’t feel right for us middle-class people at the market.

1. Have you ever successfully bargained your way to a great deal? What worked for you persistence, politeness, or a little humor? (1 Mark)

Yes, I have successfully negotiated a great deal for you. When I negotiate for something, I always use politeness, diligence and a little humor. There have been many times in my life when I have successfully negotiated with shopkeepers and bought from them. But I have never treated them unfairly. Because I myself know that they are hardworking people. They do this for the sake of business. So I think we should bargain with them politely, diligently and with a little humor.

2. Do you believe it's fair to negotiate prices in local or small shops? Where do we draw the line between saving money and respecting hard work? (1 Mark)

Yes, I believe it is fair to negotiate prices with local small shops. Because in Bangladesh, we see that local shops charge comparatively high prices. I believe that all the small shops on the side of the road in Dhaka city charge sky-high prices for an item. If the price is not negotiated with them, they charge a higher price. So I think it is fair to negotiate prices with them.

3. What is your strategy when you ask for a discount? Are you more of a sweet talker, a quiet smiler, or a straight talker? (1.5 Marks)

In the case of discount towers, my strategy is to first visit a few shops to get an idea about the product. Then go to a specific shop, after going there, ask the shopkeeper for a discount according to the situation. In this case, if the shopkeeper is old, then tell him about the discount through sweet talk. Again, if the shopkeeper is my age, then tell him about the discount by joking. Otherwise, if the person is intermediate, then I will discuss it directly with him. The strategy for going for this discount will completely depend on the environment and situation.

4. What is the most unexpected or hilarious response you have ever heard from a shopkeeper? Some replies stay with us forever share your funniest memory! (1 Mark)

When the shopkeeper tells the price of an item to be several times higher, laughter comes unexpectedly. There is an incident that happened in my life, I once went to buy a shirt in Mirpur 1. My friend had bought the same shirt from the same shop the day before for 300 taka. Then today when I went to that shop, he told me the price of the shirt was 1000 taka. My friend and I started laughing after hearing his price. The shopkeeper was our age, the shopkeeper asked us and said, "Brother, why are you laughing after hearing the price?" Then we told him the whole story. Then he also started laughing with us. And he also knows that the feature of this small shop of theirs is that he can charge a price from anyone.

5. In a pricing debate, who do you usually support the customer looking for value or the shopkeeper trying to survive? Why do you lean that way? Personal experience or principle? (1.5 Marks)

In terms of pricing, I will usually support the buyer. Because a buyer goes to the store to buy when he needs it. He never goes to the store to buy when he doesn't need it. And by noticing this need, the shopkeeper takes advantage of the opportunity and asks for a higher price from him. In that case, the buyer should buy the product by bargaining for the price. If he does not buy the product by bargaining for the price, the shopkeeper will set a higher price for him. And the job of the shopkeeper is to make more profit in the business. But one thing must be remembered that no shopkeeper will sell any product at a loss. And considering all these things, I support a buyer.

My current experience is that there exists a significant gap between shopkeepers and customers nowadays. Therefore, it is important for a customer to carefully inspect and verify any product before purchasing it. Otherwise, the customer may end up paying more than the fair price for the item. To avoid such situations, a customer should adopt some basic strategies. However, one should never behave rudely with a shopkeeper, as they too are earning their livelihood through their business. It is important to negotiate prices respectfully while maintaining proper courtesy towards the shopkeeper.