Not so true IIITian

Not so true IIITian


True IIITian

1st thing I ever sold

It was way back in '91, I was a kid then. My eldest brother and my mother's youngest brother decided to open a furniture shop. They were young and enthusiastic. After a long discussion and small money the shop was on with some basic furniture.

It was summer holiday time. I used to go and sit in the shop bcoz it felt something different and besides I was getting some chocolates and toffees too :). That day my uncle was out of town and my brother had to go for lunch. It was just a matter of 30 mins and as there were not frequent customers, my brother thought of handing over all the power to me :D. He explained about all those furniture and their prices but not in detail. There were these folding beds whose selling cost was Rs. 280 and they can be sold at Rs 250 if its a regular customer.

Now I sat on the chair like a boss and started revolving, suddenly a customer came. I felt like hmmm... I can do some business. It was time to give back my elders for their perks. The customer asked about the folding bed I said Rs 300, he asked discount, I said "it is fixed price". He said "no I can give a max of 240". I said no its not possible. He said "then I'll go to other shop". I got the fear that I am losing my 1st customer. All those happiness that I wanted to see on my brothers face disappeared. I tried my last chance and asked are you a regular customer and he said "yes" then I said "OK you can get this one for Rs 250. I can't give it below this price". He left. I was feeling like what the hell. I lost it. I had tears in my eyes. As I was cursing myself that guy appeared and offered me Rs250. I happily handed over the bed, he left, and I felt like I have conquered the world. Now I was waiting for my brother to come. I was excited to tell him that I have done something great and also was desperate to see his reaction.

The moment came, my brother returned and saw my happy face. Before he could say anything I told everything in one breath. He checked the beds and said you have done a good job and gave me a toffee. But the reaction was not like what I was expecting.

Later at home I heard from my mother that the bed I sold for 250 was bought in 300. Actually they all looked same but there was a difference in thickness of the iron pipes used. That customer was clever. He was not a regular customer. I got anger and thought when he will come again I'll show him what it takes to cheat me. The entire summer I spent my time in the shop, I did not go anywhere, waited for that guy, but he never appeared.

When I think of that day today I get amazed at my brother's reaction. He was still in his teen age but the kind of treatment he gave to me was more than a matured person. He never told me that I made a loss. At that time and considering their total asset Rs 50 had a meaning. I have learned a lot from him about life and behavior.

You might not believe but I was the baddest kid in my age group but time and responsibility changes everything.


PS: I always fell sort of words. May be I should start writing in Hindi.
PS2: Federer is back it seems. Go Fed go. C'mon Rafa. Murray is going to beat you. This is not a show by no. 1.
PS3: Play suspended :(