The mere thought of buying something that requires me to haggle over its price wears me off.
I do imagine I have been ripped off numerous times, so much that I could have contributed a significant amount of money towards paying off the Chinese debt.
Is it my fault? No. Kalenjins generally abhor bargaining. The business gene in us malfunctioned years ago. We don’t like bargaining and for these five reasons;
It is the right price
In a Kalenjin mind, dishonesty in business does not always register. A businessman just quotes the right price, after deducting all his expenses and remains with a profit. Generally, we do prefer shopping where the prices are fixed.
To save time
We love to hurry, so the stereotypes will tell you. We don’t like spending time arguing with businessmen intent on making a few shillings out of us. You know how hard it is to finally reach a price, especially when the mitumba seller quoted an astronomical price at first.
We pity businessmen
There’s always that gene that pities business people. Surely they could have done things other than selling people merchandise. In a Kalenjin’s mind, these people are desperate to make a living, feed and educate their children. Why stand against a poor child somewhere by bargaining?
Ignorance
When you don’t know the price of the thing you are interested in buying then you are reluctant to buy. Now that none of our people, except a few, are business savvy to tell us the right prices, we won't like bargaining at all.
Lack of resilience in bargaining
A bargaining process is often an arduous one. A seller quotes a price and proceeds to enumerate the various qualities of the clothe (if it is one), going to the extent of praising the buttons or that extra button. As a Kalenjin, the resilience is not there, and perhaps the thought that someone will snap it when he goes makes one decide quickly on a price, or just walk away.
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