Empty Wallets

It was my Dad’s 80+ something birthday. All his life he always tried to keep abreast of the latest technological gadgets in the market. Over the past few months he was miffed that his mobile phone purchased about 9 months back was only 3G and he was missing all the fun of 4G users. So my wife thought it was a great idea to surprise him on his birthday and gift him a 4G phone!

 The solitary candle on the delicious cake was blown, followed by our cacophonic rendition of the Happy Birthday song. The first slice of cake was passed around and chocolate smeared lips and fingers cleaned with tissues. This set the stage for the opening of the small surprise package! Dad’s joy knew no bounds as the black smartphone was unwrapped and the tiny SIM card inserted in the slot and set up. The small notation at the top right corner of the phone now displayed a macho 4G instead of the obsolete, effete 3G. His wish was fulfilled – now he was abreast with the new generation.

Over the next couple of days, he was glued to the phone, with my wife helping him with the new features. However, something was amiss – the normal exuberance of a new acquisition was missing. Conversations veered more towards the difficulties he was facing with the new phone – the icons of the app was not of the same size, the screen responsiveness was too fast, his apps were slow etc. It was getting apparent that he yearned for his old phone and was not happy with the new model who had come into his life unannounced. A week later, I asked him, “Dad, would you like to have your old phone back?” Very hesitatingly, knowing that it would break our hearts, he admitted that he would like to have his old love back. I understood his predicament and without any argument, transferred the SIM to his old phone and saw peace in his eyes once again.

My wife was naturally heart broken – after all, she loved giving gifts, as surprises and making people around her happy. This would be the first time of unrequited affections that a gift was not accepted. I consoled her – that Dad is now not comfortable with changes and I would be able to sell the phone for a handsome price on an e-commerce portal. But she still hoped that Dad would change his mind and not reject her gift. Teary eyed, with a heavy heart, she agreed with a condition that I should get a minimum price of Rs 16K on the original price of Rs 20K – knowing very well, I would not succeed and maybe that would make Dad rescind his decision.

Saturday morning, I took pictures of the phone and placed the ad on the OLX portal for sale – with a minimum price of Rs 18K, keeping 2K margin for negotiating. Who on earth would buy a used phone for this price? Considering that it was absolutely new, I figured that I would at best get 14K – but that was not a solution, since the minimum offer price was set at 16K by my wife. 

Messages kept pouring on the portal – buyers who wanted to make a great buy offered prices ranging from 10K – 12K. And I tried my best at negotiating with these hardened mobile brokers. Then I received a message with no offer but a number to call. I was sceptical – this was probably one more broker who would offer me something lower than 10K and did not even want to quote. I picked up the phone and called him – he spoke matter of fact that he wanted to purchase the phone and he would like to buy the phone at 12K. I feebly tried to negotiate – but he asserted that he would like to come in the next 30 minutes and close the deal. Considering that I did not have a firm offer till then at this level, I muttered that I would sell it for 14K minimum. He requested that I consider the price of 12K and he would be reaching home soon to pick up the piece.

I had sold on OLX before and rarely found buyers to be true to their word and show up. But to my surprise, around 20 minutes later, I heard the doorbell ring. I knew it would be the potential buyer of the mobile and took a deep breath to negotiate a hard bargain. I expected to see a brawny, mobile no-nonsense broker, but was surprised to see a frail, youngster at the door.

I asked him to come in and showed him the phone. He introduced himself as Neeraj and was visibly happy holding the phone and asked me whether there was any problem with the phone. I replied in the negative and told him the story of my Dad’s discomfort. He looked up at me and with expectant eyes asked me to finalise at 12K. Seeing his satisfaction, my professional negotiating skills emboldened me and I affirmed that 16K, the price my wife had set for the phone, was the minimum I would settle for. He reminded me that I agreed for 14K on the phone. Moreover, he had just borrowed 12K from his friend, took out the money and his wallet was empty. He pleaded that I agree for 12K – which I did not, but agreed that I would stand by my ethical standards and 14K was a minimum, which I had agreed on the phone. Since I was sure that he did not have any more money, I was willing to let the deal fail – since finalising it at 14K would not have met the minimum price of 16K. 

He continued to request and implored to close it at 12K – but I stood firm. My price of 14K was a steal – I would not go below that.  He finally stopped negotiating. But I saw immense sadness and disappointment in his eyes. I could not understand, since a mobile broker would not have time for emotions – for them it was to make a quick buck in situations like this. He left and I went back to the portal to resume my negotiations with the other potential buyers.

An hour later, the bell rang again. To my surprise it was Neeraj again. I asked him to step in. He explained how he rushed back to the ATM and managed to get 2K more. And that he was ready to finalise at 14K. I was taken aback. I was hoping that this deal would fail, since it was below my minimum 16K price. But I had given him an offer. I had to keep my word. Seeing my hesitation, he blurted out, “Sir, I want this new phone so badly, since I want to gift it to my wife”. My heart melted as he took out the money from his pocket and the wallet was empty. He added, “This is my entire months’ salary”. 

I had no hesitation anymore. I helped him set up the phone. He was visibly thrilled and excited. He knew that he had made a great buy at 14K for a 20K phone in a brand new condition. And he knew he would make his wife very happy. Sensing his emotions, I was almost as excited as him and helped him repack it and gift wrap it. His face was beaming with joy while he profusely thanked me and I shared his happiness. He was no mobile broker but just a husband who was willing to do anything it takes to make his wife happy.

I shut the door after him and walked back with the 14k in my hand. My wallet was lying on the dresser. I opened it and found only one 2K note in it. I picked it up and added it to the 14K in my hand. I looked at my empty wallet and smiled as I walked to my wife. She was touched and so happy to hear the story of Neeraj and that her gift indeed brought joy to someone made her forget her earlier disappointment. 

Two Empty Wallets and Two Happy Wives.