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Belinda Chiazor Writer and Filmmaker @ Middle Girl Produ...
city Lagos, Nigeria
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In Literature, Writing and Blogging • 2 min read • May 16, 2024 05:47a.m.
The “Expensive Sell” Tactic

<p><br></p><p>I noticed something while I was out at the market the other day.</p><p>I call it “The Expensive Sell” tactic.</p><p>It’s something I’ve observed over time with traders, while shopping in Lagos. They like to present their most expensive items when you’re looking to make a purchase. And I think it’s amusing and smart at the same time.</p><p>Two incidents that occurred recently...&nbsp;</p><p>… one; I was at the market trying to buy a bucket. I asked for a specific type and even though the seller had a range of cheaper options, the aunty went to bring out her most overpriced offering. When I asked if she had more budget-friendly ones, she responded in the affirmative, but only after i insisted, did she go get them.&nbsp;</p><p>I had to quiz her. “Madam, why didn’t you show me these cheaper ones you have? I was genuinely perplexed.&nbsp;</p><p>“But you na fine woman na, I have to bring out the best for you.”&nbsp;</p><p><em>Yeah right!&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>More like you want to peddle your most expensive wares, so you go see better money collect!</em></p><p>The second time something similar happened, I was at a mini mart I frequent often, trying to buy a jar of peanut butter.</p><p>“Oga give me peanut butter, please.” I told the seller.</p><p>He came out with two different “expensive” brands.&nbsp;</p><p>“I want something economical, please. Nigeria is hard.” I told him. The only brand I had in mind was “affordability.”&nbsp;</p><p>He still pointed to the ones he brought, yet something told me to press on.&nbsp;</p><p>“Oga, those other ones behind, nko?” I had sighted two others on the shelf he had conveniently bypassed.</p><p>Pointing at the two in his hands.&nbsp;</p><p>“Are these your cheapest brands?”&nbsp;</p><p>He realized I was serious and wouldn’t budge, and only then did he grudgingly bring down the others he had neglected before. Which <em>surprise! </em>were cheaper than the first two, just as I suspected.</p><p><em>These traders, gosh! And&nbsp;</em><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">that, my friends, is the scope behind “The Expensive Sell” tactic.</em></p><p>Present the pricey items first, and hope to sell those ones to make more money.&nbsp;<em>I’m not knocking the hustle o, but me sef I have to be smarter than them, make dem no collect all my Naira finish!</em></p><p><em>No be Lagos again?!</em></p><p><br></p>

market haggling pricing shopping lagos

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