Daily Times

Sir: The tailors sitting in the markets ask as high money to stitch a suit as a jeweller asks for gold. Most tailors do not list prices beyond some basic generalisation. Each customer pays a different price, based on several factors. Consequently, true prices are not listed. Tailors sitting in markets say that most people complain about increased charges of stitching but we have to meet our expenses too. Most tailors argue that the rates of kitchen items have increased and they have to support their families that is why they have increased their rates.

A number of tailors in various areas claim that they have increased the stitching cost by Rs 50 per suit in the last three years due to the rising cost of living, labour charges and high utility bills. The price of preparing a plain ladies suit is Rs 1,000 which was Rs 400 three years back, while a suit with embroidery, lace and other accessories is stitched at a price of Rs 1,500-2,000. Prices vary from dress to dress. In case of urgent stitching, tailors are going to charge almost double amount from customers. Overcharging remains a major problem over many years in Pakistan, especially during special occasions like Ramadan and Eid.

The ones to be blamed for high prices are not the tailors but our women. Women spend countless hours in shopping for different clothes, going back again and again to the tailors who keep giving them new dates of delivery of the merchandise. They complain incessantly about the wrong way the tailors did their clothes but would dare not spend a little bit of time in learning how to stitch or sew them. Result, no competition and the tailors get their monopoly. A theory that a monopolist has every right to charge whatever price he demands proves here exactly right.

AROOJ SHABBIR

Islamabad