It has been a long time since I’ve visited any of the big shopping malls in Bahrain—and today, I was reminded once again why I haven’t done so.
It has been a long time since I’ve visited any of the big shopping malls in Bahrain—and today, I was reminded once again why I haven’t done so. I happen to travel a lot, and because of this, I stay up-to-date on the latest products and prices.
Unfortunately, except for a couple of businesses who keep up with international pricing standards, prices seem to be inexplicably high in Bahrain. A few months ago, my friend bought a pair of Valentino pumps at 50% off—but the price she paid was actually the original price in any of the big online shops. Nevertheless, I quit shopping for clothes for my kids in Bahrain long time ago, ever since the day I discovered that U.S. prices were instantly transformed into BD, thereby tripling them in comparison.
Newly-released electronic gadgets are also insanely expensive. When the new iPhone 5s was introduced, the gold one cost 150 dinars more than the silver version in a non-Apple-approved shop in City Center. And let’s not even talk about the prices in the supermarket, or the trick of “Oh, sorry! The price has changed, and the tag still hasn’t been updated.”
So what’s going on?
Profiteering is the word.
WHAT I DON’T UNDERSTAND IS THEIR OBSESSION FOR PROFITEERING, EVEN UNDER MARKET CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEIR ACTIONS CAN ONLY GUARANTEE FURTHER LOSS IN THE LONG RUN.
I understand that a small market like Bahrain cannot absorb the aftershock of a global financial crisis—hence the limited variety of imports. What I don’t understand is their obsession for profiteering, even under market conditions in which their actions can only guarantee further loss in the long run.
So this morning, I went to i-Machines to look for an original iPad case for my son. My jaw dropped when I saw the price—especially since I had already checked with the Apple Store in the U.S. Then my shopping hunt in the mall for another item I was looking for to buy on the spot reached a dead-end when I realized its price was almost double compared to US or Europe.
What these local businesses don’t get is that consumers in today’s world KNOW—and even if they don’t, they certainly have a way to FIND OUT. Big brands with international presence usually apply universal pricing with small fluctuations to reflect any taxes, dues, or shipping costs. Anything above this “universal” price is a rip-off. So what can you do?
IF YOU FIND SOMETHING YOU REALLY LIKE IN A SHOP IN BAHRAIN, CHECK THE PRICE ONLINE YOURSELF, OR HAVE SOMEONE ELSE CHECK IT FOR YOU.
- Be an informed consumer rather than a compulsive one. If you find something you really like in a shop in Bahrain, check the price online yourself, or have someone else check it for you.
- Except for items considered “dangerous,” most of your finds in Bahrain can be shipped from online shops abroad straight to your door. In fact, there are even a few shops that offer free express shipping.
- Shipping from the U.S. is tax-free, and there should be no import dues in Bahrain. Unfortunately, this does not apply to shipments from Europe. There is a minimum amount set by customs authorities, and when this is exceeded, dues apply based upon the cargo type charged to the receiver.
- When the online shop doesn’t provide shipping outside of their country, you can open an Aramex Shop and Ship account and have your items shipped to your mailbox in any of the big shopping hubs where Aramex provides service, then shipped to your door. It’s not cheap, but it can prove cheaper than buying your find in Bahrain. A mailbox service abroad I personally prefer is Borderlinx, mainly because of its association with DHL, which is superfast. They also offer free repacking of multiple shipments into one, thereby cutting shipping costs.
- If you don’t feel like doing any of these things yourself, but still want to shop without being ripped off, appoint someone to follow these steps for you. For a small fee, a personal shopper can help you with all of your needs. You can email your inquiries to: idol@mail.com. I’m all ears for your stories of shopping horror!