Helmets sell like hot cakes, efficacy not a concern

PUNE: As the January 1 deadline for the Pune police to enforce the helmet rule drew nearer, a portion of the road near the under-construction flyover at Lullanagar was a flurry of activity with people milling to buy helmets.

At least five temporary shops selling helmets have come up, four belonging to one family who said they are from Rajasthan. A middle-aged man, who did not give his name, wore a happy smile.

As buyer picked up one, he said, “ It will cost Rs 700 but you can have it for Rs 400,” he said.

A woman selling helmets close-by said they had got it from Delhi. “These helmets are from ‘Crocodile’ company, which is new. They have the ISI mark,” she said as she showed them the stamp.

There was hardly any haggling over the price. “ I can give it to you for Rs 400,” she said . A customer bought it for Rs 300.

The man said they have been in the city for long and sell items like soft toys and cellphone covers. “ We heard about the helmet compulsion and I opened an outlet 10 days ago. When we saw the crowd, we put up more makeshift shops along the road. All those selling helmets here are my relatives. I sell about 90 helmets every day,” he said.

The sales pitch is high. A woman points to the ‘ISI’ mark and draws customers’ attention to their lightness. “The costly ones are heavy and they will give headaches. This is for Rs 400. The big companies will price them at Rs 1,500. Here’s the final offer,” the woman says. A customer hands over Rs 300 and walks away with the helmet, feeling pleased about the bargain.

Until December, they struggled to sell the headgear. “Abhi, accha paisa aa raha hai’ (The money flow is good),” she said.

A youngster dealing with a tough customer started with a base price of Rs 400 and said it was not negotiable. But the customer bought it for Rs 300. He did not seem unduly worried about the safety such a helmet could provide.

“Who cares whether they are good or bad or safe? The police will forget about the rule soon. I cannot spend Rs 2,000 for a helmet. I drive slowly and don’t need a costly headgear,” the man said, adjusting the new helmet on his head.