[The Roti Man Story - Support Local Business and Get Rip Off In Return?]
Many local and small business may not be doing that well relatively in this Covid-19 pandemic era. Therefore, as a full saleried person with some extra income to spare, we always try to support local business, let it be a local hotel, restaurant, groceries store, hawkers and many more. Everyone's little effort contribute to the economy cycle.
One of the small local business we have been supporting is roti man, or known as mobile roti benggali bike. Apart of appreciating their hardwork, we also would love to see the sustaibility of these increasing rare sight of traditional mobile bread shop on Malaysia street. On top of that, we simply enjoyed the roti benggali with peanut and butter spread.
However, not all local businesses are appreciative and still trying to rip off their customers. One of them is a roti man stationed at certain local hotspots. He sells his breads at exorbitant price to me. Meanwhile, another roti man who frequents my house is an honest guy, and we had been supporting him ever since.
Perhaps you may argue price differences exist between different stall, and willing seller willing buying concept. I agree to that, but the price differences here are too big and constitute a rip off. Here was the scenario (2 loaf of roti benggali, all with peanut butter spread).
Dishonest roti man : RM 9.6 (RM 2 for spread on each loaf; never buy empty loaf)
Honest roti man: RM 5.6 (RM 1.6 for spread on each loaf; RM 1.2 for each empty loaf)
We felt it was a total rip off as we had been buying from the dishonest guy, at least 2 to 3 times. Even it was a mere RM 4 for each loaf of bread, but the differences could mean a lot to some family and it could be well utilised to feed another meal
Everyone is having hard time now. Perhaps we were fortunate to be able to worry free for next and tomorrow's meal, but there are family with children food insecurity. Shame on those unscrupulous business.
