"Cheap Electronic Gadgets To Filmsy Chinese Garments ,We're Talking About The Famous Gaffar Market"

Surprisingly everyone in Delhi & beyond knows about Gaffar Market but reluctantly acknowledges it’s existence & lands there at the first available opportunity to buy something or other, mostly unannounced to protect their well-cultivated images. Grey is the colour which sets the tone & the character of Gaffar Market; the emphasis here being not on the colour grey itself but what it connotes.

Even the well-heeled, wearing piracy & copyright issues on their sleeves, sneak into the market quietly & rub their hands in glee at the latest gizmos flying off at basement-bargain prices. Right from the shopkeepers to buyers & law enforcement agencies, all operate with impunity in this grey zone known infamously by the name of Gaffar Market. The cops & tax inspectors can’t find it on their route map for obvious reasons known to all. The shoppers never ask for, nor ever offer a proper all-tax paid bill & all stakeholders are having a merry time in the market, happily selling & buying.

Operating Mantra

The operating mantra found here is 'imported' which has become something of a joke, what after liberalisation in the last decade, still carries some truth in the sense that most of the merchandise has been sneaked into the country without papers. The slick operators in the market are always several steps ahead of regular supplies of mobile phones & other electronic gadgets and can offer you the latest mobile or computing devices even before its launch in the United States! This skill of the market players makes Gaffar Market the flavour of all seasons with the shoppers.

No Guarantees

If you are ready to bet your money on something like the latest iPod or iPhone or Samsung Note without a warranty card & invoice, the price quoted can drop like a brick & who knows you may get lucky & come away with a well-functioning product. Don’t expect the shopkeeper to recognize you the next day if the gadget you bought turns out to be a faulty one.

Risk lovers can have a field day as here they can push their luck all day long. It’s a trade off between obscenely low prices for the latest electronic gizmo & parting with good money without any backup guarantees or assurances. The transaction is considered over & forgotten as soon as you leave the shop. Still thousands throng the market which has a large welcoming banner at its entrance from Karol Bagh, another popular & crowded shopping area of Delhi. 

Varied Items

Besides mobile phones, computers & electronic games, you can also strike a bargain for garments from Thailand & China, mostly being true replicas of the original brands. Other items include crockery, bed 'n' linen items & toys etc. There are mobile repair shops who are also experts at unlocking "imported" phones from places like Dubai & Singapore.

A visit to Gaffar Market is a must, if not for shopping, then just do so to catch a glimpse of the electrifying atmosphere.