Zen and the Art of Pashmina Haggling

Zen and the Art of Pashmina Haggling

After a long day of shopping on MG (Mahatma Gandhi) road we were ready to head back to our apartment. Ron and Dani (other ThoughtWorkers) and I walked down the street, haggling with auto-rickshaw drivers and growing frustrated as they continued to quote us ridiculous (read: tourist-sensitive) rates for the ride back. Exhausted, we stepped into a pashmina shop.

Something about us (I can't imagine what) signaled to the owner that we were capable of spending money in his shop, and he quickly began pulling shawls off his shelves. After a motion to his assistant we were brought chai, which we sipped while giggling with him.

'Sunday-Monday!' he explained, turning one of his shawls over to show us that it had a different design on its reverse. We continued to giggle as he draped scarves over our shoulders and obliged our requests for photographs. He refused to discuss price. This went on for about an hour, Dani and I each fussing over which scarves we wanted.

After trying on far too many scarves (and comparing notes on patterns and tying methods), we informed the owner that we were ready to purchase the four that we had set aside. The owner explained that each cost 1500 rupees (45 rupees to 1 USD, mind you.) For us!, however, he'd deduct 25 percent. $100 American for four cashmere scarves? Not bad-- but we eventually talked him down to 3800 rupees. As we stood there considering our options, Dani had an idea-- "we'll take it! But could you speak to the rickshaw drivers outside?" And with that we scored four scarves for about $84--and a reasonably-priced ride home.