This study has provided evidence that, even though Indians value brands as
status symbols and cues to standardized quality, they still do not believe that
the quality will be as high as do Americans. It appears that Indians value
consumption, but they also want to be prudent shoppers. They evidently value
both asceticism and hedonism, prudence and materialism. These conflicting
values make it particularly difficult for Western sellers to understand the
Indian consumer. It also makes it difficult to convince Indians of the value of a
purchase. The managerial solution, however, is not simply to offer them a
cheap price. The solution is simultaneously to convince Indian consumers of
standardized brand quality, respond to their desire for prudent buying
behavior, and assuage any potential guilt feelings associated with spending
money.