I remember during that Christmas period everything was going high. Prices of foodstuff were just rising, and the common man couldn't even afford it. Those who try to buy look for a cheaper means to survive.
I have written my list of groceries to get at home for the festive, especially those non-perishable ones. I was confident that the money I was going into the market with would be more than enough. Little did I know that a shock was waiting for me.
I left my house with the hope that after buying all the necessary things, I could get okra and some other ingredients to make soup and stew for the week. So I wrote everything, and off to the market, I went. I branched the first place to get groundnut oil and tomato paste, rice, salt, and other condiments.
Good afternoon, I want to buy rice and groundnut oil, then I went ahead to mention other things that I need.
The son: Aunty, Good afternoon; please slow down so I can get everything you want.
Me: Give me half a bag of rice and 3 liters of groundnut oil. I mentioned everything in the list very slowly, and when I asked for the price. What I heard was just too much. I tried to bargain the price, I asked him to call his mother and let me talk to her, but the woman just stayed inside and said whatever he told you is the last price.
I said Ma, the price is just too much. Please try and reduce the price of some things here, it was just last week I bought this oil 1500, how can it 4000 just three days gap. She told me that she was not reducing it and that I was blocking other customers. If I can't afford it, I should drop it and check the next shop, I might get it cheap there.
I was so pissed; she didn't even know what and what I bought; it was just the groundnut oil. I was asking her to cut the price for me. She just ignored me and came out to attend to my friend because she was with a car key, dressed like this rich auntie, and I was just wearing shorts and a jacket with a flip-flop. She said, madam, be going now
My friend told her that she didn't want to buy anything, that she only escorted me. I looked at her and left, I think maybe she asked her son what I wanted to get, and he told her, and she started calling me back. I didn't answer her. I heard her beating her child.
I went to the next shop, which was three shops after hers, and I got everything cheaper than her own price. The difference wasn't much, but the woman made me understand why things are like that. Although I was running short of five hundred naira, the woman asked me to leave it. I thanked her and went to buy soup things. I budgeted that I would buy nine hundred naira okra, only to hear that a very small portion that wasn't up to 300 naira was now five hundred, and fresh pepper was equally from five hundred too.
I begged the woman to give me three places for one thousand after I must have roamed the market around finish, but it was the same as if they had a meeting. I was surprised she agreed to put it for me and even add some more; she gave me plenty of pepper for 200. She says, I know the market is cost, but we are all suffering it. I dash you the pepper; I have seen you walking around the market just to see who will reduce the price for you. She collected only okra money. I was moved by her gentleness and polite manner.
After I finish my purchase, I withdraw another money and dash her. If you know how many insults I collected that day because of price, it's the one that told me to go and steal or the one that called me a prostitute. That okra woman and the second woman I bought rice from God will bless them. They are humble and calm even when you price rubbish.
From the first woman, I learned that you shouldn't look down on anybody at all, whether as a salesperson or not. There is always a way to make someone buy from you without being harsh or rude. From the last woman, I learned humility and what giving is all about. It is not until you have enough that you can give; start from the little you have.
Thank 💕 you for stopping by my blog
If you are going to market these days you have to stay informed so you won't be disgraced at the market by traders
That first trader really weighed you, that's why she increased the price of the items, which is very bad. Traders need to learn how to treat every customer equally.
Yes. I can't even buy fron her again