The Art of Bargaining: Why We Forget It in Malls
Rediscovering the Value of Negotiation in a Shiny World
Shopping has always been a regular activity for me. Yet, today’s experience was quite unusual. I found myself at a renowned mall in our city—a place where everything sparkled, gleamed, and dazzled the senses. It was so mesmerizing that you could easily forget the art of bargaining you once mastered. Everything was on discount, yet everything was fixed rate.
I had my eye on an item priced at ₹2,200, marked down from an MRP of ₹2,700. I liked it, but I couldn’t help myself. I asked the salesman, “Can we lower the price a bit more?” He responded with a polite smile, “Sir, this is a mall. The price already includes a discount, and here, rates are fixed.”
But were they, really?
Curiosity led me to press further, “Who should I talk to?” He directed me to the owner. I made my case, offering ₹1,800. He refused, countering with ₹2,000. We went back and forth, a friendly game of yes and no. I held firm at ₹1,800, and in the end, he agreed.
The experience left me thinking. I’ve had plenty of practice bargaining and know well that, with a bit of persistence, you can easily negotiate 20-45% off the MRP for many items. But why do we so readily bargain for a few rupees with a vegetable vendor, yet accept exorbitant prices at malls without question?
Is it status that holds us back, or have we unconsciously put our bargaining skills on hold when we enter these polished spaces?
Why Do We Forget the Value of Money in Malls?
There’s something about malls—bright lights, fancy displays, and uniformed staff—that makes everything seem premium. It’s as if we believe that the ambiance itself justifies the price tag. We feel embarrassed to negotiate in such places, as if bargaining is beneath us.
But isn’t that an illusion? After all, value doesn’t change based on a store’s appearance.
Think about the times we haggle with a vegetable vendor for a ₹5 discount on tomatoes. We don’t hesitate to argue, feeling victorious for saving a little money. But at a mall, we easily hand over the asking price without a second thought. What are we gaining—an elevated sense of status, a belief that fixed prices equal fair prices, or just the comfort of avoiding a negotiation?
Breaking the Spell: Bargaining as a Skill, Not a Shame
The truth is, bargaining is an art—a skill that holds value in any setting. There’s no shame in negotiating at a mall or anywhere else, for that matter. It’s not about being cheap; it’s about recognizing value and standing your ground.
The sparkle of malls may blind us momentarily, but the next time you walk into one, remember the skill you employ at the local market. Ask for a better deal. Speak up. You’d be surprised how often a “fixed” rate isn’t as fixed as it seems.
Don’t Leave Your Bargaining Skills at the Door
We don’t need to abandon our principles just because we’re in a fancier environment. Bargain with confidence. You don’t lose anything by asking, but you might just save a little. And saving, in any form, is never out of style.
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