I’m Neha, I live in Mumbai and work at an IT company there. Recently, my company sent me to Hyderabad for a 3-day training program in Hitech City.
On my last day, with training sessions over early, I decided to explore the city. Hyderabad is called the City of Pearls, and I had promised myself that I would buy a beautiful pearl set as a memory of my trip.
Little did I know that this decision would almost cost me ₹8,000 extra and a lot of unnecessary stress.
The Trap Begins
I booked a cab from my hotel. While speaking to a colleague on the phone, I casually mentioned I wanted to shop for pearls. That was enough for the driver.
He smiled and said, “Madam, I know the best shops. Don’t worry, I’ll take you to the right place.”
When I told him my first choice was Modi Pearls, his face changed. Suddenly, he warned me:
- “That shop is closed today.”
- “Old City is not safe for women.”
- “Madam, trust me, I know where everyone goes for pearls.”
Before I realized it, he had taken me to a shop in Abids.
At the Driver’s Shop in Abids
The shop looked decent enough, with glittering displays and well-dressed salesmen. Out of courtesy — and maybe a little hesitation — I went inside.
A pearl set caught my eye. It was elegant, and when I asked the price, they said ₹20,000.
I almost bought it. In fact, I even took a picture of it to show my mom back in Mumbai. But something inside me told me to wait.
I also wanted to visit Charminar for its heritage and beauty — so I decided not to buy the set yet.
The Struggle to Charminar
This is when the driver’s behavior changed. Because I didn’t buy from the Abids shop, he suddenly lost interest in helping me. He started giving excuses:
“Madam, traffic is too much.”
“Old City is not safe, I won’t go there.”
It felt like punishment. Eventually, he dropped me far from Charminar, forcing me to struggle my way through the crowded lanes.
But I was determined. Somehow, after asking around, I managed to reach Gulzar Houz — and from there, I finally found my way to Modi Pearls, the shop I had wanted to visit in the first place.
The Shocking Discovery at Modi Pearls
Inside Modi Pearls, I felt an immediate difference. The store was warm and welcoming, the staff professional, and the pearls looked… real.
To my surprise, I saw a pearl set almost identical to the one I had shortlisted in Abids. When I asked the price, they said ₹12,000.
I was stunned. The same kind of set I was about to buy for ₹20,000 was available here for ₹12,000 — and the quality looked even better.
I put both sets side by side (one from the photo I had taken in Abids, and the one in front of me at Modi Pearls). The difference was clear:
- Modi Pearls’ set looked finer, shinier, and more authentic.
- The Abids set looked dull in comparison.
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
The Realization
Later, when I learned more about Hyderabad’s cab and auto commission racket, everything made sense.
Drivers often have tie-ups with shops. For every customer they bring, they get 30–40% commission.
If I had bought that set for ₹20,000 in Abids, around ₹8,000 would have gone straight into my driver’s pocket. The shopkeeper would then be forced to inflate prices and possibly reduce quality just to make some profit.
The driver, who seemed so “helpful,” had almost scammed me into overpaying massively.
My Advice
If you’re ever visiting Hyderabad:
- Don’t tell drivers you want to buy pearls.
- Instead, say: “Take me to Gulzar Houz, Charminar.”
- From there, walk to Modi Pearls yourself.
Closing Thoughts
That day, I almost paid ₹8,000 extra just because I trusted my driver.
My experience taught me an important lesson: not every smiling driver is being helpful. Sometimes, they are motivated only by the hefty commissions they earn.
Thankfully, I stopped myself in time and found Modi Pearls — where I not only saved money but also bought a set of pearls that I could wear with pride, knowing they were authentic and honestly priced.
✨ If you’re coming to Hyderabad, don’t fall for the trap. Learn from my story. Trust the right people, and choose Modi Pearls.
