I found myself wandering through a lively market recently, and a curious scene caught my eye: multiple vendors were peddling durians along the bustling roadside. While one stall proudly displayed a sign touting VND70,000 per kilogram, it stood desolate. In stark contrast, another vendor’s tempting offer of “durian with small seeds for VND30,000” drew a throng of eager customers.
Intrigued, I approached the bustling stall, wondering if I had stumbled upon the famed Thai mini durian. Just then, a group of tourists hopped off their bus, lured by the alluring prices, and I couldn’t resist eavesdropping.
“What’s the price per kilo for the durian?” one tourist inquired, eyes wide with excitement.
“VND70,000 per kilo,” replied the vendor. However, when a tourist pointed to the prominent VND30,000 sign, the seller dismissively gestured towards two diminutive, unripe fruits that were hardly appetizing.
A nearby woman let out a sharp laugh, commenting, “Buy those, and you might find yourself chewing on air!”
As more curious customers questioned the pricing, the vendor’s patience ebbed. “It’s not like I don’t have durians for 30,000!” he snapped defensively. His nonchalant attitude, as he waved away the customers’ disbelief, made me wonder if he believed such misleading practices were the norm. Sadly, it seems they are.
I’ve noticed a trend where some vendors display large price tags, then obscure crucial details in minuscule print, like “per half kilo,” while others quote prices by the 100 grams but ultimately charge by the kilo for items like meat or seafood.
These deceptive tactics aren’t new, but their prevalence is concerning. Do sellers really assume that customers will remain passive once they’ve stopped to inquire? While they may offload some fruit, wary consumers will not forget being misled. Such manipulative sales strategies might yield short-term gains, but they risk eroding trust and damaging their reputation in the long run.
High prices aren’t inherently bad, but transparency is key. When customers feel deceived, they don’t just walk away; they share their experiences with others, tarnishing the vendor’s business prospects.
Questions & Answers
**What prompted the author’s market visit?**
The author was exploring the market and observed various vendors selling durians, leading to an exploration of pricing practices.
How did tourists react to the pricing?
They were initially interested, but when confronted with the misleading pricing, they expressed confusion and skepticism about the vendor’s honesty.
What message is conveyed about business practices?
The article highlights the importance of transparency in pricing, warning that deceptive practices can damage trust and hurt a vendor’s long-term business success.
