Comments on: How to Master the Art of Haggling

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 20:48:46 +0000

The fake out/mentioning the “other vendor” who is selling it at much cheaper is almost always a winning combo. But in regards to speaking the native language I’ve had mixed experiences @m.ilyewren, whenever shopping with friends while I was in Guatemala, I was usually the designated translator, and while it did help gain me some bargaining power it also opened up the possibility for the vendor to try and reason with me, as opposed to my friend who employed the tactic of pretending only to know the Spanish word for whatever price she wanted to pay and simply walking away if she didn’t get it (she almost always did )

By: Fresh From Twitter

Fresh From Twitter — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:12:51 +0000

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By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:18:32 +0000

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This post was mentioned on Twitter by vagabondish: How You Can Master the Art of Haggling http://retwt.me/I2hO #travel #money…

By: wishiwerehiking

wishiwerehiking — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:01:15 +0000

It’s can be a culturally-strange feeling as here in the US haggling is usally unacceptable and even rude, but when we realize it’s not only not rude but expected in other countries, that diffuses self-consciousness.

Flea markets and gargage sales are great ways to practice haggling here in the US in person. Those are two venues where haggling is expected in our country.

By: Lopar

Lopar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:13:22 +0000

Haggling can be a lot of fun and it’s easy to get caught up over 50 cents, I think we’ve all been there. A lot of people try to avoid it but I think it’s all part of the experience!

By: steph

steph — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:21:48 +0000

Two more favorites of mine:
-Tell the vendor you’ve already got one of whatever they’re selling and then name the price you already got it at. Supply and demand dictates that the price had better be even lower if you’re going to be convinced to buy a second one you don’t need.
-I had my eye on a necklace that, as a student, I totally couldn’t afford. The day before leaving the country, I brought in all my remaining change, and my plane ticket showing I was leaving the next day, and urged them to take everything I had left in exchange for the jewelry. I started goofing around and throwing in other items I’d brought with me on holiday that I didn’t need anymore (shirts,a hat, bubbles). I think they agreed to the exchange just to get me out of their store

By: reina

reina — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:09:53 +0000

Just don’t overdo it. I’ve listened to people haggle over a few cents in Laos, using all the hardcore tactics they’d probably learned in the souks of Marrakech. When I’m not in a mainstream tourist venue, I sometimes just ask for a discount with a friendly smile. Serious shoppers might want to be the first in the stores. In SE Asia, the first sale of the day is lucky, and shopkeepers really want to close the deal.

By: Gennaro

Gennaro — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:05:53 +0000

Pretending to walk away definately works. They see that sales moving off and it cut the price down immediately.

I like to let seller win the last negotiation though. It’s usually over less than a dollar in poorer countries.

By: Ryan Bruce

Ryan Bruce — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:12:05 +0000

The bariste at Starbucks had a shocked look on her face when I tried bargaining an Espresso Truffle Latte.

I think the only way I didn’t look like a complete fool (or maybe this made me one) is that I used a foreign sounding accent and wore aviator glasses.

By: Irish polyglot

Irish polyglot — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:53:20 +0000

I’ll be moving to India next week so it’s always good to get reminders and learn new strategies! I’ll reemphasize what was said in the comments about showing a lack of interest. Being enthusiastic is a giveaway that you’ll pay whatever they want you to.

Also if you are with someone and you want to discuss something you like in front of the seller do not do it in English, since they’ll most likely understand. Use your highschool French or invent a code for example. My sister and her husband (then boyfriend) in India would always use a couple of Irish Gaelic words, so she would say “go maith” (good) while nodding her head in disappointment indicating to her bf that he should really try to get this one (for a good price). I loved haggling in South America – can’t wait to do it daily in India! It’s fun