Paying More Than You Expected
When you need a product or service, it is normal that you seek an idea of how much it will cost you before you go out and look for it. Many times, you would be asking someone in the know where to get the product or service and how much it would cost you. Trusting that you already have enough information to be able to decide intelligently, you go out and buy what you need but how many times did you feel cheated because you paid more than what you expected?
This was what happened recently with someone who sought my advice on where to get a reasonably-priced pair of eyeglasses. He wanted to have his vision checked electronically to determine if his old eyeglasses need replacement and if so, he need get it fast because he does not have the time to wait for a day or two which was how he used to get his eyeglasses in the past.
Our family of six, except for one, all wear eyeglasses so we are confident that we knew about the best optical clinic where one could get his vision checked reliably and have the right eyeglasses in an hour or two. Aside from our experience in the past, I was also swayed by advertisements that says the said optical clinic has an ongoing sales promo so one could get a good discount for the lenses and frames that anyone would buy from them.
Confident that he could get a good deal with the much-advertised optical clinic, I even accompanied him to the big mall where it is located. There were many customers when we arrived at the clinic and there was even a hanging vinyl banners in the entrance announcing their ongoing sale. After the electronic check-up of the eyes, the person I accompanied was made to choose the frame he wants for his eyeglasses.
To his surprise, the price that the saleslady told him was twice more expensive than what he expected. However, in view of the time constraint and the typical Filipino culture of ‘hiya’ (shame) if he backs out of the deal, he had it consummated even if he knew that he paid more than what he should. Had you been to a similar situation where you knowingly paid more than you expected?
I don’t bite it, if after the salestalk the price was not meet my budget then I back out too. They can’t force me to especially if I couldn’t afford to pay for it.
Nowadays, there are laws intended to protect the interests of the consumers like the Fair Trade Act, False Advertising and the No Exchange and No Return policy, among others. Of course, it is incumbent for the consumers to know and fight for their rights as well as give the necessary time and effort to do so. Way back in the 70s, I bought some plastic stools from a large furniture store in EDSA Cubao, Quezon City. At our rented house in Cubao, one of the stools broke down when used by one of our housemates. The next day I returned to the furniture store requesting for a replacement of the defective stool. Naturally, the store owner refused. I personally submitted a letter-complaint to the Department of Trade and Industry in Makati. After a week, the store called me requesting to pick up the replacement stool with the owner apologizing for the incident. Nowadays, it’s easy to draw attention on unfair trade practices by calling the help of tri-media.
Chong Hua Hospital Eye Institute is cheaper.
He is not a wise spender then. If I know I cannot afford a product that I am buying I would ask the salesperson for an alternative and ask for something that is really on sale or something that is within my budget. Sometimes, those promotions of high discounts are misleading.
Normally I always asked for a best deal, then I take it if it is fit in my budget.
Thanks for your visits and comments. As I said in the article, I was there when it happened and it was the Filipino “hiya” culture of having difficulty to say no that caused the victim to pay more than he should. I believe he was not the only one on the same situation, there were many customers in the said optical clinic (others had zero) and only one backed-out during the time we were there. The sad repercussion of false advertising taking advantage of a weak culture rearing its ugly head.
It is not wise spenders. If I knew I could not buy products that I buy, ask the seller for alternatives and for something that is actually sold, or something that is in my budget to ask. Sometimes it is highly misleading rebate offers.