The dark side of electronics retailers? Thoughts on separating causes from responsibilities on a day when a calculator saved me 30,000 yen

1. The long-awaited air conditioner installation day, and the unexpected "return" incident

Today was the long-awaited installation day for my new air conditioner. However, once the technicians arrived, one problem after another came to light. To get the proper slope for the dust groove, the vertical size had to be 25cm. On top of that, there were issues with separate wiring for the breaker, asbestos precautions, and high-altitude work fees...

As a result, the air conditioner I purchased didn't meet the specifications, leading to an unexpected return. It wasn't anyone's fault. The technicians explained it very politely. It was simply a case of the "structure of the house environment" not matching the "size of the machine." Even so, the frustration of having my plans derailed definitely weighed on my mind.

2. Overcoming the "it's nobody's fault" situation with herd logic and structure

When I worked in childcare, the children would often argue, "It's so-and-so's fault!" But in reality, it was almost always caused by the "structure of the environment," such as not having enough toys. The air conditioner situation was the same; it wasn't about people or personalities, but a "structural mismatch." It is important to separate the two by saying, "The cause is not within me, but the responsibility (to handle it) is mine."

When animal herds face sudden heavy rain or rockfalls, they don't curse the heavens, saying "the sky is bad." They simply and calmly change the "structure" of their migration route to survive. Instead of suppressing anger or sadness with mental fortitude, I accepted the facts just like an animal would. With that, I emptied my mind, took a quiet deep breath, and headed back to the electronics store.

3. The darkness I saw in the electronics store's "mysterious 30,000 yen discount," and my true feelings

When I pulled myself together and looked for a different model, the price jumped by 20,000 yen. I had planned my budget strictly, keeping in mind future household finances and life stage changes. My spouse and I held our heads in our hands, agonizing over what to do in the store. Then, the clerk tapped on a calculator and presented a figure, saying, "This is the best I can do."

The amount was a 30,000 yen discount. It fit within my budget, and in the end, it was a huge help. But while I was happy, I also felt a sense of darkness, wondering, "So what was the original price setting all about?" I want to be a smart consumer, yet I find myself swayed by the numbers on a calculator. To be blunt, I felt a mix of relief that I was saved and frustration at being played like a puppet.

4. Which one are you? To my small-minded self who can't just be happy

In the end, despite feeling that darkness, I eagerly replied, "I'll take it!" It would be easier if I could just innocently rejoice, "Lucky, it got cheaper!" I've become a bit of a troublesome adult who can't help but think about the underlying structures.

Now, I'd like to ask you all a question. When you are suddenly given a large discount at a store, which type are you, A or B?

A: The type who is genuinely happy, thinking "Lucky! Yay!"
B: The type who is a bit suspicious, thinking "Wait, was the original price a rip-off...?"

Please let me know in the comments section; intuition is fine. By the way, I'm a coward who thinks like B but puts on a smile like A (lol).

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