Successful Bargaining Tips For Travelers
Successful Bargaining Tips For Travelers
In most of the world you will need some bargaining tips. Whether you are planning to buy souvenirs or treasure on your vacation, in much of the world, the price tag is only the starting point for bargaining. Haggling and arguing over the price is expected and in many counties it is almost an art form.
First of all, you need to determine if bargaining is appropriate. In most big department stores in Europe and America it usually isn't. In other counties, you might ask if the price is firm. In street markets and small shops in most of the world, you'd be silly if you took the first price you were quoted.
Next let me say that no matter what bargaining tips we give you, or anyone else gives you, you are not going to win this game. You are going to get the price down to a level you are happy with, and you are going to be pleased with it, but trust me, the merchant is going to make a profit or they won't be selling.
If you do not want to haggle and buy... don't ask the price just for curiosity. If you are interested in buying, see if you can determine what the locals pay. There will almost always be a double standard... with tourists paying way more even after haggling.
Think.... do you really want this piece. And if you do... what is it worth to you.
Once you've made the decision to bargain, be respectful and polite. We've heard people make disparaging remarks about the item they want to purchase. We just don't think that's a successful bargaining tip.
Think about the asking price, and indicate it is too much. Don't be embarrassed about counter offering too low a price... it's part of the game. We usually offer between a third to a half of the asking price. The merchant will laugh at you, but the game has begun.
You can have a friend or your spouse indicate that they don't want to buy or that they're worried about your budget. This might move negotiations faster, but believe me... these merchants have seen all of those tricks, and they know just how to play it.
Don't hurry if you're serious about buying. Get to know the merchant and let him tell you about the item. Think carefully before you name each price. If the merchant says OK to a price, you must buy the item. This may seem like a game, but it is serious, and your honor is at stake... once a price has been accepted, you can't say, "Never mind, I was just fooling around."
If you get down to your best price, and they say no.... just walk away. Often they will finally meet your price rather than lose the sale. If they don't run after you or call out one last price, they really won't sell for that price.
Sometimes prices will fall further at the end of the day, but the price can only drop so much... the merchants will always need to make at least a little profit... that's only fair.
Our final bargaining tip is to bargain thoughtfully. Dickering over a price can be fun, some people even think of it as sport.... but we don't think you should take it too far. In poor and developing counties, a few dollars will mean far more to the merchant and his family than it will to you. Elements Of The Travel Insurance Comparison Matrix Koh Tao: Thailand's Premier Diving Destination Hot UGG in Summer Watch South Africa Vs India Cricket World Cup 2011 Live Streaming How was the great wall of china built? birth of the qin dynasty, Wall of Beijing as a Tourist attraction Watch India Vs South Africa Cricket World Cup 12th March Live Stream The Essential Travel Insurance The Untamed Countryside of Iceland Thailand climate hot, hotter and hotest Paras Holidays - Explore Australia without even caring to make arrangements for travel! Honeymoon in International destinations Want Entertainment News And Celebrity Gossip? How To Book An All Inclusive Holiday