Fixing the antenna and its mast took about 2 weeks and we needed to get new nuts and bolts and some other pieces for the final assembly.
We drove down town in Kampala to the local market with hundreds of shops, many selling the same things. We were sure we would find the odd bits and pieces we needed in the small shops.
As Lionel had been in Africa much longer than me I asked him to do the bargaining. Being a swede coming from a country were bargaining is a word that does not exist except for in a dictionary, I had never really understood got into it. If you find a shop which does not have the price on a tag back home then the shop would be closed as everyone would assume it is illegal.
We needed various types of nuts an bolts in hundreds each.
Lionel asked the store keeper for a size M5 x 35 size bolt and the store keeper brought one out.
– Whats the price for this one. Lionel said holding it up like it was a diamond.
– 500 sh..
– That must be the Muzungu (white mans) price, give me the real price.
– nono, this is the price for everyone.
– Ok. but I’ll give you 200 for this one.
-450
– no too high.. ok 250…
– 400
– you know I will come back for more 300
– no Sir you are squeezing me too much you know my family is large 375
– ok let me buy it at 350 and we have a deal
– ok but you are tough you… ehhh?,
Lionel then asks the guy to bring out 100 of the bolts.
– that will be 35000 the storekeeper says.
– But you must have a quantity discount Lionel counters. 20% 15 % 10%?
– no Sir! this is the lowest price we already bargained on the price.
– but that can not be, there must be a discount on the quantity.
– ok ok I will give it to you for 33000.
– Why don’t you just make it even at 30,000
– nono that is too low. 32500 Sir.
– ok yes I agree on 32000 Lionel says
– the store keeper swallows hard and accept.
The same sequence then start all over again with the nut for the bolt and another 10 different kinds of screws and nuts we needed. When the final outcome of all the bargained goods comes out Lionel says.
– now what is the final total.
332000 Shilling Sir.
-Ok why don’t you round it off to 300,000 and we have a deal
– But sir you are going too far. I will not feed my family tonite. 330000. not lower
– oh come on I am a good customer and if you give me good price we will not go to any other shops. Give me 310000 and we have a deal.
– By this time the shopkeeper is getting very pale but give in to Lionel. – OK Sir 310000 but you better come back and bring more money next time as I will not make any profit on this sale.
The next time I went to the store the shopkeeper was a bit surprised. I said – See we do come back to a good shop.
The shopkeeper then say .. -I see, but your friend where is he? Oh, he has flown out on mission..
-Ok… you know, please don’t come back with him .. ok? he is too tough.
– Ok, no problem I can do the shopping instead.
-what do you need.
Well I need this type bolt…. and give me a good price so we dont need to spend so much time bargaining. 500 he says as of course he though he would get it easier, then we start bargaining the same manner upon which the guy give me the same price as he gave Lionel–
– Oh no not you too!!!!! Ehh these muzungu’s are too tough… not like the other ones who normally come around..
Next time I came around to the shop the store keeper is in the door.
-Oh you are back, Sir?!
-Yes I am back, I like your shop.
– Sir can’t you please go to this shop across the road instead, I don’t make any money on the sales to you.
– Nono I like your shop but I will make you a deal.. If you give a good price from the beginning then I will not bargain like this as I don’t have the time and you will be getting something on top.
– the store keeper finally smiles and says ok ok sir. and we agreed on a price of 250 for the initial type bolts.