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Cane Chair Story

 

I joined as a medical representative in 1972. I was all of 21 and was looking for a rental accommodation in Guntur. Having lived in own houses in Proddatur till completion of school and later in Bangalore during my college days, I didn't like to rent a room or share living accommodation with anyone else. After several rejections from house owners due to their dislike to lease out accommodation to bachelors, I landed a small independent house. I was to be the first occupant of the brand new place. The drawing room was very small. I purchased 3 single seat cane arm chairs. They costed me Rs.180 totally. That was quite a big amount in those days. They remained with me until 1979 although I changed to 2 other houses. I was moving into a new larger accomodation since I got married in 1979. I planned to buy new furniture. The furniture shop owner agreed to buy back my old cane chairs after deal for new furniture was settled. Next day he came home to take the used chairs after inspection and valuation. I mentally fixed Rs 300 as the reasonable value. After looking at the condition of those chairs, he offered me Rs.450. I gladly accepted the offer as it far exceeded my expectation. While handing the money, he said, "Sir you would have got 600 if you had so demanded." This was his way of deriving extra kick out of his luck at having got the chairs at a low price. But after taking the money from him, I told him " you would have got them for 300 only if you had bargained." This certainly was a knock out punch for him from me.

He went back with a confused look on his face, wondering if he was to be happy because he paid only Rs.450 for chairs worth 600 or go back disappointed because he could have paid only 300 with a hard bargain. 

But I certainly felt as a winner having got 450 where my expectation was only 300. No confusion in my mind.

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