Buying and selling is what we engage in daily. If you don't sell, you must buy no matter how little, there is usually an exchange on a daily basis. I have come across various buyers because I also sell goods. In the same order, I have also been able to meet different vendors and I have experienced various reactions from all of them.
I'm a type of person that hates to be insulted for any reason. So, if I want to buy something from you and I feel it's way too higher than my budget, I don't bother to start pricing it for the seller not to insult me. I just move forward.
I was craving fresh fish few weeks ago so I went to the fish market to get some. After moving about in the market, looking for the one that will be friendly with my pocket, I stopped at a stall when I saw the type of fish that caught my attention.
I asked for the price and she told me it's twelve thousand naira. I didn't know how much to price it just to avoid being insulted because my budget was eight thousand. I wanted to walk away when she called me back and asked me how much I wanted to pay. I told her eight thousand. She smiled and told me that the price was too low. She held my hand and started teaching me how to preserve the fish and some delicacies that I will enjoy with the fish.
She made me laugh so much by teasing me that I don't want to spend the money my husband gave me. She is a really funny lady and she is fun to be with. She enlightened me about different types of fish and what makes each unique. She ended up selling the fish to me for eight thousand naira. I thanked her and left. On my way home I still kept smiling as I remembered some of her jokes. A week later, I went back to the market, I bought fish from her and spent some time with her.
Just yesterday, I followed my friend to LASU Epe campus to see a client. Before we left the house, she promised to buy me cherry (agbalumo) on our way because we had to Trek down to the school since it's not far to the house. When we got to the school, being that it was my first time there, I took my time to look around and read every sign post I saw but I was too lost in my conversation with her that I forgot to take pictures.
On our way back, we stopped at the stall where they sell fruits to buy the cherry. We asked how much and the lady told us that it's fifty naira each. so, I asked her if she would sell three pieces for hundred naira. This woman looked at me from my head to toe and told me that I have the guts to ask her to sell three for one hundred naira because she didn't tell me that one piece is for one hundred naira.
I was so angry and I told her that she should have just told me that she can't sell it at that amount instead of looking at me as if I was nothing. My friend just kept apologizing to me. I told her that I don't want it anymore but She begged me to take either bananas or apple but I refuse stating that I won't take anything bought from the woman.
That situation got me really pissed and I wonder if being polite is that difficult.
From the two scenarios, I have learnt that it takes nothing from you to talk kindly to customers they would buy because they appreciate the way you spoke to them.
This is my response to Hive Learners community weekly featured content week 150 episode 1 on the topic: Just Another Trader
Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate you.
All pictures used are mine
Yours Truly 