Hey there,I was wondering why I am not as much productive while doin MBA than I was at work.After a deep introspection, I came to know the main culprit-'Thats ofcourse me :-)',and for the question WHY? the answer must be a series of things ,but in my case it was a single gadget-LAPTOP!!.Thank God I am not using Cellphones much these days,thanks to a bit costly STD rates. I want to share with you how a LAPTOP came into my hand.
It was one of my dream to do MBA in a good B school . I got admission in one after a long fight for 3 years.The phase after the admission phase is called as "Expense" Phase,where a series of expense happens like Fees,Suits,Cycles,Books and one expense which made me mad for the 2 weeks before admission is LAPTOP.
I Got admission in Vinod Gupta School of Management,IIT Kharagpur just 2 weeks before the joining date. The next mail I got after my admission mail is the prerequisites for MBA. I started to finish one by one and finished buying most of them in 2 days. Finally I had 2 things to do ,first buy a laptop and second Medical certificates. Seeing a big gap (10 days) before admission,I went for a big bargaining spree for buying Laptops . I was inquiring about Laptops in about 12 stores in and around Chennai per day for 3 days and still didnt get the best deal.Then I saw a Laptop Expo near ,y house which changed it all!!
Laptop Expo happened near my house in Tnagar,Chennai.Surprisingly the price mentioned befor e Laptops were quite expensive than any other store in the locality,but I saw a long queue before the managers desk.Suddenly a guy tapped me in my left shoulder and asked me "are you interested in Samsung Laptops" ,nah he is not a astrologer,I was standing in front of a Samsung Laptop :-) . I said "Yes, but the price is high".He smiled and took me to a new manager who arrived just now .I was asked "what was the cheapest price you saw in the locality".Actually at that time I zeroed in on DELL 14 Inspiron,I said that the Brand is Dell Inspiron and the price is Rs.32,000.The manager responded sayinh,"You must have a visited a wholesaler nearby,OK I will give it for Rs.31,500.Also,I think this might surprise you ,a Samsung Laptop which specification is far more superior than ur DELL 14,but it costs Rs.30,000 as it is fairly new to the market,what say??". I replied that I will be back tomorrow and got their business card.
Thats it!!! I didnt sleep that night also thinking about the laptop which I gonna buy.Samsung is fairly new but no reviews and is cheap.Dell is a bit costlier ,nice review and reputed.Finally I deided to Buy DELL from expo and I asked money from my MOM.
SUDDENLY A TWIST!!!
I didn't expect that twist at that time,she was running short of money and I had no alternative but to buy it from an EMI shop.I know a a guy,who used to sell gadgets for EMI and he gives it very cheap.He was trading on INTEREST amt.I went there and I got awestruck seeing the "0%" interest on top of the shop . I went in there and stroke a deal with him for Dell 14 laptop for Rs.31,000.The only problem with him is that ,you cannot get it at the time of ordering . We have to wait 2 -3 days for getting the product..He is kind of using JustInTime inventory and has to get it from supplier.
I didnt pay the money as I had a deal of paying it at the time I took my laptop to my home,giving the necessary document.As I had many transactions with him he agreed.I waited for 1 week to get it and finally that store was closed for 2 days in a row.And he was also not picking up the phone.
Finally 2 days before joining ,I was frustrated and forced my Dad to give the money .I went back to see the Expo and was disappointed seeing an emoty ground.Then, I called his card number and was cornered as the expo was over he can give it only for Rs.32,500 and with no other choice in line and with only 2 days to go,I bought it there :-)
THe 2 weeks went in vein for me buying the laptop.But i learnd the first step in MBA,A bird in hand is worth 2 in a bush :-)
Bye
