On the 7th of November, someone made a purchase of Rs. 12000/- + via ngpay on my wife’s credit card, which we came to know only on the 11th November.

My first reaction was to call the bank, block the card so that further damages could be avoided. Post that late in the night I tweeted about the problem, which got RT a couple of times and people referred it to @ngpay.

Surprisingly, the first thing next morning I got a call from Siddharth from Ngpay, who took down the details and explained what had happened and asked me to raise a dispute with the issuing bank who would sort it out, however in case I was interested in knowing the details of the person who had used it, then they would require a FIR (first information report) filed and a copy sent to them.

An impressive use of twitter and more importantly responding to the customer, which means as a brand they are listening.

If I ever decide to start buying through the mobile portal, I would sure give them a shot.

The big R word bandied about everywhere still, with different people saying “Mandi hai boss”; “Economy down hai”; “Recession” hai.

After a couple of drinks over the weekend, mostly everyone ends up saying that “thoda situation tight hai, magar sudhar jayega”.

Cribbing about the government, employers, friends, society, BMC, BEST, weather, god is ongoing. This is ably supported by the MEDIA, with their stupid Questions to fill paper or soundbytes

• How much has this recession affected you?
• What sacrifices have you had to do in the current economic scenario?
• How long do you think this shall last?
• What should be the new PM’s approach to end this?

All of these questions appear with the ring leaders in print - Mumbai Mirror & Mid-day - in Bombay. The questions are asked to college students at CCD, Barista or college canteen; housewives shopping at malls, kiran store, kitty parties & some business men rushing to catch the churchgate or borivali local.

Majority of them have no clue, except for the fact that they would get their 30 seconds of fame. Bus Mein Star bangaya.

In such a scenario, I fail to understand:

• Restaurants mostly all, except maybe the 5* are always full.
• The same traffic, cars are seen on roads.
• Car Sales has not gone down.
• Fuel consumption has not gone down
• Restobars still do roaring business serving alcohol to underage also.
• Mobile phones sales continue to rock

YES, some large ticket items do get delayed in purchase, whilst consumers scout around for better deals. Jewellery does not get sold, but there is no wedding season currently.

People from upcountry, rural do not come to spend their vacations to Mumbai, since it is expensive, similar brands are now available there, maybe at better prices also.

Private Labels seem to be the mantra these days, which is good for the economy.

I see Value Correction happening that surely is benefitting consumers & more so in the times to come.

Read more about Recession, Is India going thru one, The shine is still here, Reducing Manpower & Correction.