Three days after the market survey which opened my eyes to one of the unwritten principles in the market place, I went back to make the purchase.
Image source: Nairametrics
Recall, I had two options of which book store to buy from. One who acted based on the principle unraveled in the first part of this story without disclosure and in an unfriendly manner. The second who helped disclose the principle without complying to it strictly.
I was quite behind schedule by thirty minutes when I stepped out of the house to go to the market. The day has been busy since few hours before 6am. I visited the bank first. Arriving the bank, I was confronted with a test of my patience. For lack of alternatives nearby, I would not have stepped in.
Image source: The Star
The compound had a large canopy occupying about half the open area before the main building. It had two rows of plastic chairs arranged neatly; each row had 10 chairs. They were all occupied while some people stood in what seemed like a queue holding paper chips with unique numbers for identification. They were waiting to lay complaints. Before coming closer, I felt discouraged because I thought they were all there for the same purpose I came for. Thankfully, we had different purposes of coming and mine did not require me to wait longer. I wondered why in the advent of digital innovations, people would still have to wait for long boring hours on a queue to have issues with their bank resolved. I left the bank after about thirty minutes.
I wondered why in the advent of digital innovations, people would still have to wait for long boring hours on a queue to have issues with their bank resolved.
The walk from the bank to the book store was about 10 minutes past the first bookstore. Busy as usual. The store was filled with folks of different age and sizes. Books were piled in large quantities in the area before the bookstore just like the other day. Quite lesser, however.
Image source: UniLag News
I offered pleasantries to whoever was able to catch it. My mind was focused on seeing the man I met the other day. The one who won the bid for my interest three days ago. The one who assured me of a discount even after disclosing a "secret" at no cost if I should return to make a purchase.
Looking past the makeshift counter which separated customer area from workers’, I saw him standing with a booklet, a pen, and a calculator in hand. He was running the functions of a store owner. My intent gaze must have communicated; for he pulled out, though not to me directly but to check a box by the entrance. Unrelenting, I followed him immediately and presented my clues to help him remember our previous meeting after a brief exchange of pleasantries. His responses were affirmative.
This time around the directions were in a reverse order. 'Hey', the store owner called, pointing to one of the sales rep. 'Attend to him', he said as he walked back to his initial position, while pointing backwards to me.
During my survey, I was directed to the store owner after meeting two workers consecutively. This time around, I was directed to a sales rep by the store owner. Is it because I met the store owner first? I don't think so. If I met the sales rep and told him what I wanted to purchase, I wouldn't be directed to meet the store owner first. I'd just be told how much after which we reach an agreement. Readiness to buy will sense no need to be secretive about prices nor foster reluctance in response nor being directed from one worker to the next and to the store owner.
Readiness to buy will sense no need to be secretive about prices nor foster reluctance in response nor being directed from one worker to the next and to the store owner.
While my goods were sorted and the prices told, I reminded the store owner of the discount guaranteed during the survey. I was given a discount below my expectation. It wasn't all bad however, at least he granted a discount no matter how little.
The second book store owner wins the bid for my interest and may see me again in subsequent times as soon as situations demand so. I need not describe how the period leading up to calculating the price was from when I placed my order. Trust me, I adapted to the conditions which made me uncomfortable ab initio.
Book store workers, especially the store owners, are very sensitive to distinguish a potential buyer who will make a purchase up front and one who may not. This may be another unwritten principle complied to in the market place. Sensitivity to distinguish customers is key.