Shopping is no more fun

-Omi Gurung.

Look around it's raining sale in the city. It’s time for end of season’s sale and shopping is at its peak. Recession too doesn’t hamper the buying spirit of shoppers. When words like FREE, SALE, DISCOUNT are displayed everywhere, it drives people crazy enough to step in and simply splurge. Like anyone else I too was tempted and went on a shopping spree with friend, only to be left to feel dismay.

Here I go…

Early morning I grabbed the newspaper and discovered a pamphlet inside with bold letters BUY 2 GET 4 and back side of it written 70% off. I was like wow! Phoned my pal and we decided to meet up at a mall. In the afternoon, we entered the outlet and browsed through the collections. After almost 20minutes of search we selected the best six. We went to the pay counter to collect the bill and I was speechless. The gentle men explained “Sir ji, you got it wrong, it is buy 2 get 4 in total (2+2free) not 4 free and you have forgotten to read the terms and condition apply.” Oops! He was right it was mentioned at the bottom of the ad in tiny letters *only on selected items. It was a gimmick that was ridiculous.

Try your luck

We visited the next store which had a jumbo poster of SALE up to 70% hanging outside. This time I noticed the word UP TO. After five to six sessions in the trial room, I finally got a perfect pair of jeans and the price too was worth the value for money. But I see my friend nowhere around, suddenly he appeared with a sad face. I asked him what happened and he answered “Two days back I got a t-shirt from here with 30% off and today the same t-shirt is sold for 50% off”. Many times this has happened with most of us, it is sheer luck too while shopping.

Not again

After drinking coffee and laughing over the ordeal, we planned to go and buy coffee mugs for each other. We dropped into the known home store in town. Their latest collection of home products was amazing but even the old ones was good after all, they had flat 50%off. Few days back we had seen a set (3 pair) of coffee mugs and now was on a mission to hunt for it. Luckily we could spot it and requested the sales boy to pack it up. Suddenly my eyes went on the price tag. It was Rs 800; I asked the sales boy “This is for 50% right”. He said “Yes, it’s Rs 800 after 50%off”. I remembered its original price since I wanted those mugs. It was Rs 1000 something. We both went to the store manager and had a conversation over it. After a circus that took place he said “We are really very sorry, you are absolutely correct it is Rs 500. Someone may have tagged it wrong by mistake”. After a tiring day we ended watching a movie.

Strongly suggested

With gimmicks these retailers and advertisers play, shopping is no more a pleasure. Today ads and offers are so manipulative that even a smart shopper fall for it. Next time you are out for shopping, plan it well. Never buy things in a jiffy and whatever you buy check the value for money. Is it worth? Go shopping with friends; it comes handy as you can share the costs many times. Use your shopping cards and collect or redeem the points. Don’t feel shy to try or ask help from salesman. Remember customer is the king and do read the *terms and conditions. All I can say is “Dekhawa pa maat jao, apni aakal lagaao!”