I went to Jakande Estate in Isolo to visit a supermarket, Just Right. I was refereed to this place by a teacher in my school after letting him know I was looking for couscous and quinoa. I wanted to substitute couscous and quinoa for white rice and/ or brown rice. I am taking my diabetic diet quite seriously and I want to keep my palette exciting.
So in all, I think Just Right has a whole lot more of provisions, furniture, and electronics in comparison to Shoprite. I was able to find 0% fat yogurt, a vacuum cleaner, wheat meal, assorted shrimp, and Coke zero. However, Shoprite has fresh produce and vegetables so you can literally get all your grocery shopping down without having to branch anywhere else for the most part.
I purchased nearly #50,000 worth of goods and had one of the security men fetch me a keke maruna driver to drive me home. The driver showed up as I was paying for my goods and saw me counting my money. I guess he thought I was rich and priced me #1500 to be driven to my house. Please keep in mind, that the trip to my street is #100 and an additional fee would of course be added for the convenience of being dropped at my door. However, #1500 was way to much and I didn't find it funny. I then priced the guy #200 and wouldn't budge. Meanwhile ooo, the drivers friend was trying to price with my but he was more of an annoying adovocate then took me right to their weakness. So his friend mentioned that the trip is typically 600 if he was to take other passengers so I should give his friend #800. As this was going on, I asked his friend if he was driving me as well. When he answered "no", I imediately told him that I am pricing with the driver and the driver only.
We all stepped outside the shop and the driver was insisting on #800. I know told him that I wouldn't pay #800 when I know the trip is #600. I budged a bit and told the guy I would pay him #300. When he wouldn't budged I know told his friend to call me a cab instead. Anyways to make a long story short the keke driver agreed to drop me at my house for #500.
In all honesty, I spoke to my neighbour and she said that most drivers charge #800. However, people in Nigeria tend to capitalize on the fact that you have an accent which in their mind equates to "this oyibo no go sabi price well ooo", "abeg make I chop from this oyibo", or better yet and my ultimate favourite "she be oyibo, she go get money well. I don hammer today oo". If Nigerians were more straightforward from the beginning then there wouldn't be such a fuss when pricing. If the keke maruna man had told me #800, I would have priced him #500 and settled at #650 or #700. But because the guy mentioned one outrageous price that didn't make any sense to me and I felt like he was taking advantage of my situation, I buckled down and stood my ground.
I was lucky that day. It was God's favour watching over the entire situation and ensuring I got my way. I may not be as lucky again but I am never afraid of trying again.
Be blessed,
Irene
