Competitive Style

Transcript:

Tenant: Good Morning! I’m here for the meeting

regarding leasing the property in M.G. Road, Kochi.

Owner: Ah yes! The Shri Rajarajeshwari Adhologam

Towers. Please have a seat, Mr.?

Tenant: Jino. My name is Jino.

Owner: Right, Mr. Jino. As you can guess already, this is

a prime property situated in the heart of Cochin City, M.G.
Road. There are many buyers interested.

Tenant: Yes, definitely. It is indeed a perfect spot for my

business Sooryamukhi Flower Pots. I’m really interested
in the property.

Owner: In fact, the broker that connected you with me,

one Mr. Giri Aravind had just contacted me like five
minutes ago arranging a meeting with four other
prospective buyers for the property. So there is
considerable demand for the Towers as you can make
out.

Tenant: Sure, that is obvious, but let’s try to have a long-

standing arrangement hopefully. Can you tell me the
specifics of what you are looking for Mr. Ashwin?

Owner: See Mr. Jino, this is not a simple deal like you
think. It has many things that factor in. I cannot tell you
the parameters on demand.

Tenant: I understand, I understand. But we have to start

somewhere right? Can you tell me the approximate lease
amount that you are expecting? I can get better clarity
from there onwards.

Owner: I’ll give it to you straight and final, the amount is

Rs. 10 lakhs per month. No further negotiation.

Tenant: That is way more than what I expected. In fact,

Mr. Giri Aravind had quoted almost half this rate actually.

Owner: I don’t care what some broker said to you. I’m the
owner, right? I said my price. There are people interested
in leasing for this rate as well.
Tenant: I understand your concern, Mr. Ashwin. But I’m
still a little worried about the price point. I don’t think that
this is a feasible amount. My cousin runs the Mahanand
Wealth Management Firm on the same street a few
blocks down the road for almost 10 years now, and he
pays only 60% of the amount you quoted.

Owner: The rate might be different from 10 years ago for

that property. But this is 2023, and I have the best piece
of commercial real estate in Kochi City. If you still don’t
think this is worth it, go set up your Chandramukhi shop
in your cousin’s parking area or something.

Tenant: Alright, Alright! No need to get so defensive Mr.

Ashwin. By the way, it’s “Sooryamukhi Flower Pots”, not
“Chandramukhi”.

Owner: Whatever “Mukhi” it be, I’m not changing my

rates.

Tenant: Ok, fine. I’ll try to meet your price, but I’ll have to
discuss it with my partner also before I take the call. Can
we discuss other terms also, please?

Owner: That’s not possible. I’m a busy man you know?

By the time you have a tea party with your partner and
get back to me, I’d have leased this place to someone
else and they would have set up shop by then.

Tenant: Wait, wait. I’ll match the rent amount. Can we

please discuss the other terms now?

Owner: What do you want to know that isn’t market

practice already? The lease is for five years no? I want
two years' rent as an advance deposit as is the standard
practice.

Tenant: I don’t know where you have been doing

business for the past few years, but what you think is
absolutely absurd. The standard advance deposit for
commercial real estate is only 6 months' rent. It’s
common sense at this point, Mr. Ashwin.

Owner: You think you’ll teach me common sense? Do

you think I am senseless?

Tenant: No, no I didn't mean it that way. But, can you try
to be a little more reasonable, please? We are a self-
funded startup only. Realtors like you make and support
the Indian Economy Mr. Ashwin.
Owner: I know, I know. Now you seem to understand the
reality. For you, since you are a startup, and I support
such things, I’ll give you a special discount. 1 year’s rent
as an advanced deposit instead of two.

Tenant: Thank you so much, Mr. Ashwin. It’s not as

supportive of you as you put it, but still, since we don’t
any other option, we are stuck with your Adhologam for
the next two years. Until we find a new office space
anyways.

Owner: Sure, that’s your concern. Deal with it as you,

please. You can check the interiors of the building. I have
already done the primary electrical and plumbing work,
and you know, I am providing the opportunity for you to
do the remaining electrical and plumbing fittings as you
like, and furnish the office as per your taste and
aesthetics. I won’t interfere, enjoy.

Tenant: What? Are you telling me that the electrical and

plumbing work in the building is also not complete yet?

Owner: Haan, market practice you know.

Tenant: I have been extremely nice and patient with you

Mr. Ashwin. I have compromised on all the key terms that
you presented till now. But this is a bit too much now. I
am not taking the property without you finishing the bare
minimum infrastructural works there.

Owner: Sure, there are other takers, I told you.

Phone Ring Sounds

Tenant: Aano, kittiyo, Ali sammadicho? Adipoli, okay.

Tenant: You know what Mr. Ashwin, enough is enough. I

have just got a deal with Mr. Yousuf Ali. We are getting
an office space in Lulu Mall for 75% of what you quoted.
You keep your property and your standard market
practices. I am going to put up a message in All Kerala
Poochatti Business Union to not deal with you. Sheej
Bhai will make sure of that. To hell with your Maheshwari
Adholokam.

Owner: Maheshwari Alla, Rajeshwari…

Tenant: Whatever “Wari”. Good Bye.