Vendor Barks: Have Pity, Buy from Me

Market in Manila

Street markets almost always give a surprise, pleasant or otherwise. While going through a very crowded street market, where people can almost exchange faces, I heard one vendor barking, "Have pity! Buy from me!" Now I've heard all sorts of things barked by street vendors but that one is something which I just had to write about.

It made me wonder if the selling statement of the vendor is effective or not. It was not about what the vendor could do for the customer, but rather what the customer can do for the vendor. It was counter intuitive,  In a way, it was almost as if the vendor was begging, instead of selling. It was like he's saying, I am poor and in need, so you can help me by buying from me. He was selling socks, if I remember correctly, and he had lots of them to sell. The other vendors next to him didn't seem to mind his selling technique. Would this begging method also work online? Maybe not, but persuasion, or giving a good reason for customers to buy can make a difference, which could land you that sale.