So you’re in the store, and there are no prices, you like the wooden carving and can picture it in your den, the color matches perfectly with those two bronze pieces you brought back from China. “How much?” you ask pointing to the piece.
The store clerk, likely the owner, smiles and rubs his hands together in glee saying: “Yes, it’s a beautiful piece. Isn’t it! Very rare! I’d love to keep it myself if I could!”
You may hear about rare materials, famous local artists and noble causes. Occasionally even stories of sick children, elderly parents, or other hardship. True or not true, selling to tourists is probably what he does all day—be ready!
We do find it difficult to see some poor guy that’s been in the sun all day after dragging 100 pounds of carvings across town hoping to make enough for dinner get haggled by tourists to lower his prices by a dollar or two. It seems wrong and we typically won’t do that when the prices are fair. Remember that what the actual seller takes home after paying for his spot, permits, travel, and likely other required ‘fees’ just for the opportunity to try to sell probably nets him a lot less than the asking price.
On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the smooth operator that is starting at a price that is either insulting your intelligence or simply hoping that you’ve not mastered the currency exchange rate yet.
Now in some cultures, we’ve found that shopkeepers are disappointed when you don’t engage in a little friendly game of negotiation. It’s all part of the fun for them. Start low and enjoy listening to the arguments about why you are out of your mind and how he or she would be losing their business if they sold it to you for any less. Start to walk away and watch the prices come down sharply.
So when do you try to bargain, how do you begin? What do you do? There are no real rules to this ‘sport’. But here are some tips and amusing stories from our own experience…
1) First determine if you really want it.
Would those colorful pants everyone is wearing in Thailand really be practical back home? Would that Indian sari be something you’d wear back home? Will they end up in a heap of ill fitting or never worn clothes only to be given away to charity or thrown out in due time? Realize that you may be buying it only to wear for a few pictures and consider that in your decision.
2) Think about transportation and packing.
Is the item too fragile that it might break or chip? Do you have room in your luggage? Is it too heavy? Will a sharp end poke holes through your clothes and bag? Can you bring it on board?
3) Consider import and export regulations.
Do you know that some untreated woods are not allowed into many western countries? There is also a long list of protected species which are illegal to import. These include black corral, tortoise shells, ivory, and various skins. Not only can you end up with a large fine or jail time, you are encouraging behaviors that should be banned. Consider also what you are allowed to export from the country you are visiting. And keep in mind that as a tourist you are subject to their laws. Some ancient pottery or artifacts may be illegal to export without the proper paperwork, regardless of how you obtain them.
4) Set a price in your mind of what an item is really worth to you.
Remember just because he asks $100 for the fridge magnet (true story!) and you get him down to $50 does not mean it’s a good deal. Think about what it’s worth to you. If you really like it, you might still be willing to pay more just knowing it comes from a distant place. But be especially careful when you’re considering prices in foreign currency and be sure you know what you are really paying.
5) Are you ready and prepared to barter?
Some people would rather pay up the extra than start an uncomfortable negotiation process. I think it depends on the surroundings. Again, don’t think of it as a confrontation, you are willing to buy something, and he wants to sell it. It can be a win-win. If prices are unreasonable, it’s usually suggested you start at half the price marked or asked. Typically once you set your price, you won’t get it for cheaper than that. As with any negotiation, the shopkeeper also has his lower price limit. If he gives you a lower price, you have a choice to repeat your offer or to move up a little to an agreeable figure. Often the more you buy the better the deal, so start negotiating with a full basket of items if that’s what you want. Or get him to throw items in instead of giving you a discount.
6) Have you shopped around?
When in a bazaar or market, have you walked around the market first? We’ve had the experience of buying at the first store only to see the very same item 3 stores down for half price. It’s funny how in some places you’ll see half the stores all selling the same things, all with different prices. In these cases, the stores further into the market or with a less busy location are likely to offer the best deals.
7) Consider the local economy.
In some places, the streets are full of beggars and crime is rampant. Seeing someone that is trying to make a legitimate living though the sale or manufacture of goods is something that is worth encouraging. Whether for yourself or as gifts for your friends, a few dollars of purchase as a way of encouragement helps to support and encourage this type of business and way of life. On some islands we’ve been to, the opportunities to make a living are limited. The only chance many of the locals have is through tourism, be that tours, or the sale of goods and services. Make sure to tip for good service! Our wallets can also help shape behaviors by NOT buying those coral items or other endangered pieces.
8) Consider the timing.
Some cultures and places may place special emphasis on the first customers of the morning setting the ‘tone’ for the day. They will really want to sell something to start the day off with a sale. In other cases, arriving just before lunch or before closing may get you a deal as the shopkeeper is anxious to close and go home. Also, think of your own plans. For example, when your bus is full of your fellow tourists about to leave, you don’t have a lot of time to start negotiating.
9) Be ready to walk away.
You’d be amazed at what turning around can do to the price. A prospect walking out the door not buying anything, is worse than making even just a little bit of profit on an item. The truth may come out in a sudden burst of low prices. More likely however, you’ll hear: “What are you willing to pay?” Which is still an attempt to negotiate one last time. Set your price (if you want it!) and see if they say yes.
10) Above all, remember that you are on vacation and should be enjoying yourself.
Consider shopping and possibly negotiating part of the fun and the experience. You can get some good laughs if you don’t take it too seriously.
Our most memorable haggling stories
Once in Morocco going through a shop, we came across this spotted animal pattern purse. We perhaps looked at this just a few seconds longer than the others. “Pure leopard” says the observant clerk smiling. When we both expressed some shock and started telling him that leopards are endangered and shame on him, he quickly changed his tune to how it was cow skin that had been dyed by a local artist!
Bartering doesn’t work everywhere. I once saw a family at a grocery store trying to negotiate every item that came across the scanner. The poor clerk could not do anything, of course all the prices were scanned by the bar codes in the system and not up for negotiation. This may be the case in some hotel stores or even some tourist stores, but again, it’s worth asking if you want something and feel the prices are not right, or just shop around.
We’ve been to markets in the back streets in China where a lady selling silk ties grabbed my husband’s arm. Her fingernails (claws!) were on the verge of breaking the skin on his arm. She would not let go until we bought some ties (that we didn’t really need!) for $2 each. We laugh and laugh at the determination, and you know, many years later my husband still has those silk ties and he still like them and we have fond memories of this lady with the claws!
In Egypt at a roadside tourist stand (where we stopped for a bathroom break) we saw a little plate with an Egyptian cat. With a big smile the vendor proudly said it was $100! Waving the fellow off as completely crazy, we ignored him and kept walking.
Remarkably skilled at handling rejection the fellow followed us to the bathroom, waited outside (fortunately!) and then back to the bus. Along the way the price had gone down to $50, $25, $20, and finally $10.
Still uninterested and now even feeling a little offended, we got back on the bus. He tried to climb aboard with us but the driver blocked his way. Undeterred he stepped down, went around to our window and started knocking on it saying $1 and finally 50c. Feeling a little bad for the guy we gave him a dollar for his ‘genuine’ Egyptian hand-painted porcelain plate. As the bus drove away, we noticed the plate had a China sticker stuck to its bottom!
We have heard stories of Egyptian shopkeepers closing their pull-down garage-like doors to the shop locking tourists inside and refusing to let them out without a substantial purchase.
Certainly, be aware of your surroundings and make sure as you venture deeper and deeper into the market (souk) that you know your way out. Unfortunately, the world seems to be turning less and less safe and danger can be lurking out there for the unsuspecting tourist. Again, don’t go running through the poorest of markets with your designer purse and thousands of dollars in gold jewelry, or you could be asking for trouble.
Lastly, after having visited over 60 countries and many years of traveling we have bought way too many trinkets to keep. With our last move from Texas to Florida, we downsized considerably and sold off or gave away many of these. Truth be told, the most precious souvenirs we have are our fond memories.
Souvenir, the French word for memory says it best!
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Content updated November 25, 2019