I think Shopping experience depends on the city mostly. Here in Bangalore, I have noticed that the few sales reps jo bechne mein interested hote hain, want to push only the product that the distributor has set a sales target for them (stock clearance etc) or which is currently bringing them maximum incentive.

This has happened to me on two occasions. I usually surf the net, read blogs and consult with friends to make sure that I know which product/model I am going to buy from the showroom I am about to walk into with my cash. So when I walked into the biggest Woodlands outlet in Bangalore, I knew I was going to buy the U-Trek model (or so I thought at the time). The sales rep just refused to even let me try the piece and instead tried to brainwash me into purchasing the ‘Active All touch leather’ model. Although it is very difficult to brainwash me into buying anything, the range had 50% discount going on and suddenly my dad offered to pay the bill, so I had to bow down.

Second instance was when I went to Landmark to buy a perfume. The guy there was only interested in selling perfume of one brand “UDV”. It came in some 8 different varieties and they all smelled the same. Par kya karun, aisi sab hi-fi jagah shopping karne ka ek disadvantage hai ki you are bound to come under the pressure of buying “something” so that you don’t feel embarrased walking out of the store empty handed after being there for 1 full hour. Also, in places like these, the sales rep makes a face like you have just insulted his mother and he is about to cry; if you walk away without buying “something”.

Believe you me, Madras is a paradise for shoppers like you and me who want their hard-earned money’s worth. The sales reps know their products well, they are very active and they also understand when you decide not to buy from them. Also, I have realized that it is a big mistake to go to these hi-funda showrooms to buy stuff that you can get elsewhere (read LOCAL markets). For instance, the best place in India to buy electronic items from is Ritchie Street (renamed as Narasinghapuram Salai) in Madras. Likewise, its counterpart in Bangalore would be S.P.Road (or SJP Road), Lamington road in Mumbai & Nehru Place in Delhi.

Anyway, from where DID you get your laptop finally?