The mobiles are ringing. And, so are the cash registers. Once a luxury, cellphones are now used by anyone and everyone. Thanks, to the recent drop in airtime rates and competitive services provided by mobile service providers. Small-time businessmen, vendors and even larriwalas are now using it to remain accessible, and keep their customers happy.
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‘‘It is not possible to have a landline telephone on a larri, but a mobile comes in handy. Many of my regular customers call up on my cellphone and give me party orders. In fact, about 75 per cent of my business this way,’’ says Arunbhai Gopibhai, who owns ‘Shankar Ice-cream’ stall at Law Garden.
Dealing on the mobile is easier, feels Arunbhai. ‘‘This way, I do not miss out on a customer. Even the customers are happy as they can get hold of me any time of the day. My business has doubled since I began using the mobile,’’ he adds.
Like Arunbhai, Himmatbhai Waghela, who owns a small mechanic shop near APMC, Vasna also knows the virtues of keeping a cellphone. ‘‘I do not give out my mobile number to anyone but my regular customers. Most of them call me in case of an emergency. When their two-wheeler breaks down somewhere or a tyre gets punctured, they call me and I send my assistant to get the vehicle,’’ says Himmatbhai.
‘‘After I got the cellphone, the number of customers have increased as most of them like the luxury of having their vehicles picked up and dropped at their house after service or repair,’’ says Himmatbhai. At the same time, cost-conscious Himmatbhai, who owns a Motorola instrument, claims that the extra business he has got will soon cover the cost of his mobile.
Moulin and Biren, two friends who jointly own ‘China Hut’ opposite IIM-A, also take orders over the mobile. ‘‘Many customers wanted us to begin the home delivery system. But, how could we get a landline connection here? So, we started taking orders on the mobile,’’ says Biren Shah, adding, ‘‘We get at least a couple of home-delivery orders each day.’’
Rakesh Mishra, a newspaper vendor, had one complaint.
‘‘I am out most of the time. So, it was quite difficult for my customers to contact me,’’ he said. The solution: a mobile phone. ‘‘There are so many clients who urgently want a particular magazine or inquire about the Mumbai and Delhi editions of newspapers. Now, they don’t worry much as they know where to reach me anytime of the day,’’ he said.
Similarly, Niraj Kumar, who owns ‘Handi’ serving Punjabi food opposite The Grand Bhagwati, believes thaut his mobile gives him an edge over other businessmen.
‘‘The idea of placing an order over a mobile has clicked with the customers. Not everyone provides home-delivery service. So, I use my cellphone to give my customers this service, which keeps them satified and loyal,’’ says Nirav.
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