Bargaining,
an art and science

After a few days absence Bacolod City has not changed.

Media is still brave, saying it cannot be cowed. A businesswoman lost P2 million in jewelry and P12,000 in cash, the campaign on charter change is still on, and Bishop Vicente Navarra is still there in front with both fists swinging on the issues he likes best, resignation of President Arroyo and opposition to charter change.

But, I am happy about one change. The city council has thawed on its stand on the supposed takeover of the BREDCO port.

I am happy with this change of heart. So, renegotiation will still be on. It should be, not for the sake of the parties, Palanca, Ong, and Tan on one side and the city officials on the other side, but for the sake of Bacolod.

I believe the P17.5 million demanded by the city panel is too high. And the P1.4 million offered by BREDCO is also low. So, let's find a middle ground. What is that? That depends on the panel.

* * *

Bargaining in modern society has become an art. Also a science. I believe both panels did not exhaust all the avenues.

Last Saturday we bought a brand new most modern digital television camera in Hong Kong, following what Ric Yanson said, we must get the best. And in a Chinese store we used both art and science in bargaining.

The Chinese, who said his name was James, and we gave him a family name of Bond, quoted the camera's cost at 4,500 U.S. dollars. Ric and Ed Mercado said we could get it at only $2,000. You know the Chinese in Hong Kong when you bargain, they use their calculator to show you their price when they do not agree with you.

* * *

Yanson would point at Querubin and would say, "Our boss there does not agree." And Pompey would say aloud, "No, I cannot buy that. It's too expensive."

Then James Bond would compute again and go a little lower. But, Ric would again point to Pompey and say our boss does not agree. And again Pompey would authoritatively holler, "No, that's too high."

Then James Bond would compute again. And we laughed at ourselves fooling James Bond with our drama.

* * *

The fellow, true to his name of James Bond, must have seen the trick that he also turned the table on us. When the bargaining bogged down he would say "I will call my boss." Then he would stand up, talk into the phone in Chinese, I am afraid it was only a trick also, then would come back and say, "My boss does not agree."

Then later the two "bosses" agreed, from $4,500 it went down to $2,700 plus the accessories of $800, it became $3,500 with the pride that the Sunshine Channel will have the best camera that will make people look more handsome.

But the thrill was in the process of bargaining. And you have to believe even Caucasians shopping in Hong Kong also know the trick.

Start from 30 percent of the price going up, one white man said.

* * *

And Pompey learned to bargain. We, the Sunshine Boys, came home Saturday night with only Manolo Lopez, Hermes Aguilar, and Pompey left to leave the following day. But only one room was available so Pompey had no bed.

Ric Yanson advised, "If you are a true leader you should sleep on the floor." I heard Pompey proved to be a true leader. He slept on the floor. I told him when Mao Tze Tung conquered Beijing in 1949, on his first night he could not sleep on a bed. He slept on the floor and so with Chih Minh on conquering Saigon.

* * *

Back to the topic of bargaining. The city and Bredco must have good bargainers on their respective panels. Takeover must be thrown out of their vocabulary.

I can recall anecdotes about bargaining. And bargaining is more of a matching of wits.

A lady went to a Chinese store and wanted to buy a yard of cloth. It costs P100. The salesgirl cut one yard of cloth, handed it to the buyer and suggested that she buy the remaining one and a half yard.

How much? The buyer asked. Only P110, she was told. She paid the P110 for one yard and a half and returned the one yard.

* * *

Bargaining in Hong Kong stores also requires technique. Don't give the amount you are willing to spend. Always ask for the last price. They will give you a higher price still.

Quote just one third of the asking price. If he does not give pretend you are leaving. And they'll call you back to either give you the goods or for another round of haggling.

* * *

If you read the newspapers in Hong Kong, President Arroyo is beleaguered and may not last her term like Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand.

But, this seems to be the trend now among many countries. People asking their leaders to resign. And many of the leaders have also followed GMA who stonewalled.

* * *

Bishop Vicente Navarra is opposed to charter change. I believe the earlier we have the Constitution changed the better. We cannot afford to continue to have this gridlock.

There is graft and corruption also in the parliamentary government but there is more opportunity for graft and corruption in the presidential. Let's have the Cha-Cha done soonest.*

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