Hot summer, cool coolers

Coolers sales have started in the city already with summer advancing a month before its time this year. Traders in the business inform that the prices would go high compared to last year although they are comparatively low at the moment.

In this regard, all roads are leading to Koti, Begum Bazar, Goshamahal, Secunderabad and Paradise, which are the main business centres for air coolers. Retailers make purchases from noted wholesale market Troupe Bazaar in Koti.

Adding variety for customers, coolers with iron bodies are imported from Delhi, Maharashtra and Nagpur and these have relatively high prices. Speaking to the CityTAB, a retailer in Koti informs, “The minimum price of local coolers is Rs 1,300. The cost of a 30 litre cooler with plastic body is Rs 15,000. The cost of a 60 litre plastic cooler is Rs 18,000.

Two feet Maharashtra cooler costs Rs 1,350 while five feet one costs Rs 7,800.” However, it is learnt that assemblers are using low grade motors in local coolers. According to traders the maximum cost of a Maharashtra cooler is Rs 30,000 because it comes with an iron body and a quality motor fixed in it.

Trader M M Baig said that the season for cooler business would be for three months starting from March. Coolers in large number are being stored in warehouses as of now. A few traders are earning in crores by selling inferior quality coolers at high prices. There are allegations that there is no vigilance by officials on the business.

By B Linga Swamy