The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Marginal offers for this festive season

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Saturday, Apr 12, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Marginal offers for this festive season

As per the custom in Tamil Nadu for Tamil New Year or otherwise popularly known as Varusha Pirappu, people follow some strict rituals in a belief to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view Kanni at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. You also begin the day by watching auspicious items like gold or silver jewellery, fruits, rice, nuts, coconuts etc. People in the advent of merrymaking and feasting exchange gifts with each o ther. Children are highly excited at the time of Puthandu as they receive small gifts or cash from their parents and relatives. The month of Chithirai (April - May) also embarks the time of festivities in Tamil Nadu. This auspicious day is also popular as per the Hindu mythical legends, Lord Brahma started creation of the universe and hence this day is celebrated with great vigor. At the time of New Year festivities, a grand Car Festival also takes place at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. At some places, Chithirai festival is also celebrated. It is said on this day, Goddess Meenakshi was married to Lord Sundareswarar.

The month of Chithirai is not only associated with the hot summer month and Tamil Puthandu, but it is a marriage season too. During this period, there is beeline for purchasing clothes, jewels and household items that is presented to the young bride and groom. Especially traders dealing with household items, give a discount and freebies to entice customers to their shop. This had been the trend over the past years. But the style seems to be changing of late, many dealers crib that there is no company offer, which is more prevalent only during popular festivals like Deepavali, Pongal, Christmas and New Year. Baskar of Vijaya Electric Co. adds that companies like IFB, Samsung, and LG etc do not give any company offer for Tamil New Year. Customers can only expect the usual discount (10-15% on cookers etc), which is not a lump some bargain for the customer he feels. The company offer combined with the trader’s discount, together was a profitable proposition for the customer he laments. On a similar vein, Er. R.T. Eswar of “Q Agencies” the sole dealers for LG products informs that their customers are eligible for a special pricing offer, but cannot get anything higher than that as there is no support from the company for Tamil New Year. Do not feel disheartened; check out in these companies, as there is a special offer for this occasion.

A few traders like “Mani Electronics” and “Agarwal Marketing” are continuing with a hefty offer for this Tamil New Year. Gunasegaran of “Mani Electronics” adds that offer for Whirlpool products and special offer for fans and air coolers is in vogue at “Mani Electronics”. For every purchase of Direct Cool Whirlpool fridge you are entitled to, two cookware (worth Rs. 600) free. In the case of frost-free Whirlpool fridge, you can take home two turkey towels (worth Rs. 700) absolutely free. In the case of split end air conditioners and higher end fridge and washing machine, you can collect 0.5 gms gold coin and there is a special discount for fans and air coolers of all brands at Mani Electronics. For getting a discount for electronic items, “Agarwal Marketing” offer you a special discount that will vary from product to product. R.A.Agarwal of Agarwal Marketing claims that they offer gifts to their customers for the purchase of electronic goods.

V.L.