The "Jo aap kee marzee " payment system...

[MIG]

Works like this

You ask someone to do a job for you ( pick up luggage etc )

Before he renders this service, you ask him "kitnay lo gay"? He replies....

"Jo aapkee marzee"

You commit the cardinal sin of accepting this and the guy does your bidding and then you say - "kitnay huay"?

Our friend replies "Jo aap kee marzee"

Being the simple type, you offer a reasonable amount.....

Then it comes out "itnay kum?"

What do you do then ?

[Amir]

"Meri Marzee Hai"

[Golden arm]

i think this is the daugiest thing ever in the local system .
My experience is Please never ever come in this trap.
its a trap because once you have not fixed wage before hand, then after finishing thing, most of these wicked guys especially taxi drivers will ask for almost double the exact fare,and they will try to get as maximum as they can.
These taxi guys in Rawalpindi are horrible, if you dont fix the fare with them.

[lahori]

there's another issue with this. Sometimes the actual service amount is much less than what you offer. So when they say 'jo apki marzi' and you respond with an offer, they will take you on that offer. If that ever happens, assume that you're paying way above the going rate. This happens especially with expats returning to their homeland.

[AZ]

lol, indeed this is quite an annoying system...from my experience, whatever you pay them it will never be enough...I guess one has to be a little bullish in the end

[nazimcricket]

I faced this situation only last week. A lebanese guy who does upholstery work from his backyard told me to pay him whatever I like, but being an old hand at this type of arrangement, I insisted he give me a dollar figure to work with. In the end he sheepishly relented and quoted me a high figure (no surprise). However, given that he was doing a quality, rush job for me, at half the price of an official outfit, I happily handed him the amount he quoted. We both left happy!

[MIG]

Originally Posted by nazimcricket I faced this situation only last week. A lebanese guy who does upholstery work from his backyard told me to pay him whatever I like, but being an old hand at this type of arrangement, I insisted he give me a dollar figure to work with. In the end he sheepishly relented and quoted me a high figure (no surprise). However, given that he was doing a quality, rush job for me, at half the price of an official outfit, I happily handed him the amount he quoted. We both left happy!

So this isnt a Pakistani problem ?

[AZ]

absolutely not a Pakistani problem

[Kashif]

Agree to a cost but start the 'services bidding' from a ridiculously low price.

[Golden arm]

I agree, this may not be an absolute Pakistani problem. But I bet if you live and work in Pakistan, you will invariably face this problem, every other day.
Thing is, dont get into trap. Always insist and fix the wage / fare whatever, before hand rather than being embarrased afterwards.