New Zealand website sells 'charpai' as 'Vintage Indian Daybed' for Rs 41,000

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, August 31

A common Indian household item has been given a new image by a retailer from New Zealand. The New Zealand brand, ANNABELLE’S, is selling a ‘charpai’, the common Indian string cot, as a ‘Vintage Indian Daybed’, along with an old white bedsheet tossed over it. 

The difference?

The price between the cost in India, and the ‘Vintage Indian Daybed’ is at least 10 times.

Described as a “One-of-a-kind” and “Original” the ‘charpai’ is currently on sale, at $800.00 NZD or Rs 41,211.85. 

For comparison, a ‘charpai’ at a local market near you will cost about a thousand bucks, at most. 

Even on Amazon India, the prices of ‘charpai’ go as low as Rs 800, and stretch to a maximum of Rs 10,000 for really fancy designer ones.

The shop, Anabelle, may have actually sourced the ‘charpai’ from India itself. In an FAQ section on the website, it explains how “On trips to India, China and Indonesia, every piece is handmade, old and unique so not being able to see the proper colour and finish in person is a real challenge.