Electronics outlets make merry as confusion reigns
NOTE Consumers also fear about a rise in prices of food, beverages & aerated drinks at hotels and restaurants...
Citizens rushed to electronic retail outlets, mobile showrooms and gadget stores on Friday fearing the rise in prices of electronic goods due to Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be rolled out from midnight Saturday. Consumers also feared about a rise in prices of food, beverages and aerated drinks at hotels and restaurants.
Crowds thronged major retail chains like Vijay Sales and Croma due to bumper sales of flat 50% discount announced to sell existing items which may or may not cost more after the introduction of GST. This rush was due to the last day of the month-long clearance sale which started from June 1.
Ranjeet Singh, a customer, said, “It is not festive season yet there is 50% discount on all electronic devices due to the GST ruling. I thought of buying an air-conditioner because to this discount as I do not think I will get it for this discounted rate later.”
Customers believe once GST comes into effect prices are likely to rise. Hence the urge to purchase in advance. The prices of electronic appliances like TV, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, kitchen devices, irons and vacuum cleaners are set to become costlier by 3-5 %.
Retailers said though they had a rise in the number of customers in this one month sale period the footfall will slide from July. A senior official at Vijay Sales said, “Customers have done advanced booking as prices are cheap now. Customers have told us they will wait even 15 days for delivery. We fear the footfall will decrease once prices rise.”
Customers said although GST is going to be implemented there will be not much change in the price of electronic devices or other home appliances. “As the prices of electronic devices are already high it is not going to make any difference. We are just buying as we are getting a discount on products we wanted to buy,” said a customer.