Finger for ballot, thumbs down for discounts

Promised freebies and discounts failed to entice voters to Khan Market on Friday. Most shops had offered discounts ranging from 5 to 30 per cent to those who came with ink-marked fingers. However, they saw no more buyers than a regular day, reports Tanya Ashreena.

Promised freebies and discounts failed to entice voters to Khan Market on Friday. Most shops had offered discounts ranging from 5 to 30 per cent to those who came with ink-marked fingers. However, they saw no more buyers than a regular day.

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A few customers exiting the popular Café Turtle and Full Circle, which was offering a free coffee and a cookie to those who voted, as well as a 10 per cent discount on books, found the schemes a sham. “I bought a book, but was offered no discount while making the payment,” said S. Ratnagar, a senior citizen who had gone to the store.

Failing to reward those who voted, store employees said, “We are not supposed to inform customers or check whether they have received the discount or not.”

Even the free coffee and cookies had few takers. “We are getting the regular, everyday rush of visitors,” said a waiter.
Many stores in the posh market, such as Ranna Gill, Giovanni, The Body Shop, Celeste Jewelry, FCML Homes, Mercury and Canary Blues said they had not got a single customer coming with an inked finger and asking for a discount.

Leena Mehra, store manager, Canary Blues, said, “ It is no surprise as most of our clientele is foreigners.” However, a few brands like Archies Gallery, Reebok and Colours fared comparatively better. “We got around 20 customers,” said Pawan Khanna, store manager, Archies Gallery.

Customers, on the other hand, said discounts did not matter to them. “I voted because it is a moral duty, rather than to get a 5 per cent discount on a lamp that already costs Rs 6,000,” said MBA student Sunaina Bohidar.

Khan Market Traders Association president, Sanjeev Mehra, agreed that the sales were lower than expected. “In all, the market saw around 300 customers who availed of discounts across shops.”