The art of haggling
How much do you haggle when you travel? Are you a traveller who thoroughly enjoys a good bargaining session, viewing these often protracted exchanges as a vital part of the holiday experience? Goodness knows, we don't get much chance to practise the art of haggling when shopping in Australia so why not indulge ourselves abroad? I've spent many happy moments squatting at some vendor's market stall in a foreign country indulging in good-natured banter over the value of certain objects. I've learnt a lot that way.
In Essouria in Morocco I spent well over an hour, over copious cups of tea, trying my best to reach common ground on prices for a few silver trinkets. That session was nothing short of theatre, full of laughter and mock dismay, an entertainment for everyone within earshot. Finally I weakened, then coughed up a little bit more money than the target I'd set. But what a great time I'd had, well worth the extra cash.
Some people seem to think bargaining is beneath them, or they get angry when a price they suggest is rejected. Others won't bargain for fear of getting ripped off; a classic example of nothing ventured, nothing gained. And there are those who'll haggle hard to drive a price right down, then walk away without buying. This is considered very bad behaviour.
Which is the best bargain? Which carpet will fly?
Once I begin to bargain it means I've already decided to buy, at an appropriate price. The seller knows that but he doesn't know my price. And I don't know his, although we both know the first sum to be mentioned will be ridiculous. This is what makes bargaining such fun. It's also such a fantastic learning experience. In the course of my Essouria transaction, for instance, I learnt a little about Mahjoub, his family and his village. He discovered a bit about me, my family and my country. All this and those many friendly, free cups of tea!
I give you nice price ... a salesman in Marrakesh souk.
Everyone has their own tips for haggling. Knowing what the locals pay for similar goods is a fundamental one. Never rush is another. The merchant spends most of his life engaged at this level so don't feel bad about taking your time. And the art of the haggling demands that you learn to feign indifference. Gushing over something then asking its price is a disastrous approach! So much for general rules. I know you'll have more specific advice to add.
Having lived in Hong Kong, many years ago, it paid never to show interest in the item you actually wanted to buy. Haggle over something else then mid-way through negotiations casually turn your attention to your "preferred" purchase in an off-handed manner while still showing some interest in the original item. It always seemed to throw the stall keeper off.
- Posted by: Jim on September 7, 2006 7:57 AM
If you bargain yourself senseless over every dollar, you sacrifice a lot of the joy of travel.
My tip? When you're about to dig your heels in and walk away from a purchase, ask yourself: in six months, back home, will that extra dollar spent on a trinket seem like a lot of money?
- Posted by: Conrad on September 7, 2006 12:51 PM
I was in Israel earlier this year. The guide book had useful tips for haggling, but I just don't have the temperament for it. Besides, I noticed that when I bought something like souvenirs or CDs at markets in Tel Aviv, the vendor always knocked a few shekels off the marked price. That, combined with the fact that Israel is by no means an expensive country to be in, made haggling unnecessary.
- Posted by: scorpio on September 7, 2006 12:59 PM
it's very hard to bargain when you have no local accent! unless you have a local friend who tells you how much they usually pay for something, how do you know what to aim for?
- Posted by: winnie_g on September 7, 2006 5:06 PM
After three Asian holidays (Bali, Malaysia and Thailand) I am looking forward to Fiji this time and hopefully, not having to continually dodge the persistant street vendors found all over Asia. While I acknowledge that haggling over prices with tourists keep their families fed and clothed, it becomes annoying after a while.
- Posted by: Alison on September 8, 2006 5:04 PM
who says you can't haggle at home.
u can even do a deal at dj's if u are armed with evidence of lower prices elsewhere or make an offer using good old cash!
- Posted by: prince on September 9, 2006 12:06 PM
the carpets are gorgeous. just buy 'em. And the Morrocans have such fine style.
sadly often these carpets are cheaper in Sharjah, UAE. Big turnover there.
- Posted by: HIkergirl on September 11, 2006 7:46 AM
I cheated in India :-)
My cousin spoke Hindi but no one realised it. We would go shopping early in the morning because it is good luck for them to make the first sale of the day to a female. I would bargain and my cousin would listen to what was being said around us in Hindi. She would listen to what the stall people were saying to eachother about the prices I was offering and signal to me when the stallholder wasnt going to budge from the price I was getting. Must admit - we certainly did get some incredible bargains!
- Posted by: JM on September 21, 2006 6:56 AM
What a fantastic blog! Can't get enough of bargains myself. Having lived/worked in London for the past 3 years (now living back in Sydney), I relished vacations to Europe as an opportunity to brush up on my haggling skills!!
Most recently, I spent 7 weeks traveling from Cuba down through South America into Chile - having learnt some basic Spanish, I was surprised at how easily showing interest in an item, then walking away, could reduce the price. On most occasions, the final price was less than half what they originally asked!!
- Posted by: twincamm on October 3, 2006 3:45 PM