BARGAINING ABROAD

Bargaining for souvenirs, accommodation, and transportation will provide daily adventures. Bargaining in markets and bazaars will prove to be a heart pumping and exhilarating experience. It’s time to meet shop owners, put on an acting hat, and do a little wheelin' and dealin'. Walk away with a great buy you thought you could never live without or a real lemon that did not exactly date back to the Ming Dynasty. Bargain or bust, it's all an adventure in world economics and communication. Keep in mind, once you leave most Western countries, many items and prices can be negotiated.

Shopping and bargaining practices change dramatically in various corners of the world. If you choose to travel to parts of Asia and Africa, you will be negotiating quite a bit during your days, depending upon your activities, where you will be going, and if you want to purchase souvenirs.

Markets and Bazaars

The small independent shop owners in the markets and bazaars will offer the potential customer an array of goods. Everything you could possibly want to purchase from the country will usually be found in the bazaars held in the major cities and towns. These shop owners are accustomed to bargaining with tourists. They expect the customer to haggle and price their goods appropriately.

They inflate the price of the item knowing they will come down on their price while bargaining. Shop owners know the value of their items. They know how much they can sell their merchandise for and still make a profit. Tourist dollars keep small independent shop owners in business.

Many shops, taxis, and rickshaws are owned independently. These operators are able to bargain with customers because they are in business for themselves. Again they know what their services are worth and will inflate the price a little in order to leave room for bargaining with travelers.

Restaurants have set meal prices. When you eat at a restaurant small or large, you will be expected to pay the price on the menu. Do not bargain at restaurants.

I've bargained my way around the world a few times now and each time I enjoy the process. Practice will help develop your bargaining style and you will find yourself more comfortable bargaining each time.

What to Bargain For

I've learned there are items travelers may bargain for and others are not up for negotiation. One way to get an idea of what you can bargain for and what you cannot is to watch other travelers. If you have just arrived in a new country, observe and take note of the other travelers bargaining and negotiating. If you still are wondering what the bargaining boundaries are, ask other travelers what is appropriate to bargain for and what is not.

BARGAIN FOR	DO NOT BARGAIN FOR
Rickshaws	Train tickets
Jewelry	Taxis
Independently owned taxis	Safari Adventures
Accommodation	Plane tickets
Textiles	Museum entrance fees
Clothes	Set fares and fixed prices
Artwork
Rugs

The "American" Price Tag

I became privy to the fact that there is often an "American price" for goods and souvenirs. This price is usually set higher because of the stereotypical belief that all Americans are wealthy. Even Americans slinging backpacks and sitting in second-class trains are considered to have unlimited financial resources.

No Sale on the Kenyan Coast or in Jerusalem

While strolling Diani Beach, in Kenya, I inquired about a few beaded leather bracelets at a makeshift souvenir stand. Many of the tourists at the beach resorts were from Europe, especially from Germany. The vendor thought I was from Germany but was not certain of my nationality. As I asked for a price, he asked again where I was from: Germany? I laughed, smiled, and did not answer the question. Then I inquired, "Is there a different and higher price for the Americans?" Believing me to be German at this point, he said, "Ah, yes, different price for Americans, much higher."

Once again, when bargaining with a shopkeeper in the old walled city of Jerusalem, I chimed in, "I wanted the real price, not the American price." He looked at me a little surprised as if he was just caught in a lie. Laughing with embarrassment, he said, "I don't give you American price, I give you fair price."

There have been times when I have been asked where I was from when the bargaining began, England? Germany? France? America? Canada? I wondered how much the price would fluctuate depending upon the country to which I belonged. What was the price if I was to say Germany or Canada? I would ask them that very question in a humorous way. "What country will get me the best price?" Their reaction was a combination of perplexity and embarrassment. We both ended up laughing at the situation.

Ask around and get a feel for what other travelers have paid for items that you may want. Go back to the shops that other travelers have had a good interaction with and good feeling about. There's nothing better than word of mouth when buying souvenirs and keepsakes. Which shop owners are fair and which are not will get around.

Good Karma in the Early Morning

In most Asian countries, it is advantageous to shop in the early morning. Superstition plays a heavy hand in the morning hours. Shop owners believe if they make a sale in the morning hours it will set a precedent for the rest of the day. Shop owners will be most flexible if you are the first customer with whom they bargain.

Bargaining may be the most intense in the morning because of this superstition. Shop owners have a great desire to sell that first item and will try earnestly to get you to buy. The hard-sell sales pitch is surely to be made to potential customers in the morning hours.

Early Morning Sale In New Delhi

In New Delhi, India, I toured the Bihar Temple in a blanket of rain. The lighting conditions for taking slides were poor at best. On the street corner, a mobile salesman had slides depicting the highlights of Delhi, including the Bihar Temple. Noticing my camera, he followed me, describing the poor weather conditions for photographs. Hoping to dissuade him, I continued saying I didn't need the slides. He persisted and followed me across the street. I then offered him a ridiculously low price, just to make him stop and leave me alone. He continued to follow me across the dirt parking lot, where my bus was rumbling, waiting to go.

I boarded the bus and found my seat. The next thing I know, my window is sliding open and the salesman's face appears. He then told me I could have the slides for my price. Now I felt somewhat obligated and a little guilty, because it was so cheap.

Ultimately, I decided to purchase the slides. He was working pretty darn hard and I had to admire his persistent diligence. He kept saying, "You are my first sale today. You will bring me good luck all day." As the bus rolled away, I handed him the rupees out the window. Glad to have the slides, my conscience also felt a bit less guilty. We exchanged a wave as the bus left the muddy parking area.

The Balance of Prices, Don't Tip the Scale

Unfortunately, some people in the world, usually those who do not like to bargain or simply have more cash to spend, will throw the whole bargaining balance off. When you pay the asking price for the item, right off the bat you throw the equilibrium completely askew. The next person will have a more difficult time negotiating a lower fairer price.

Prices are inflated to take into account people that will haggle and bargain for a lower price. The price told to you is a starting point in which to begin the bargaining, not a firm price that cannot be changed. So don't jump the gun and pay the full amount, only to leave the rest of the travelers in a position of little bargaining power.

HOW TO BARGAIN SUCCESSFULLY

Strike A Pose

Attitude is everything. Be positive, happy-go-lucky, and remember your sense of humor. Every shop owner welcomes a positive, fun, and friendly potential customer and sales interaction. Abrasive, take no prisoners, in your face, Rambo like personalities usually are not embraced with the same enthusiasm. Would you want to bargain with someone like that? No way.

Patience

Exercising patience may be the difference between getting what you want for the price you'd like to pay or not. Don't be impulsive. Keep those feelings zipped in your back pocket and put some restraint in your wallet. Learn to pull back gently on your reins, as you go charging toward your potential purchasing victory.

Never Belittle The Shop Owner

Humiliating or shaming the shop owner when bargaining will not land you a better price. In fact, you may be asked to leave the shop. Shop owners deal with foreign customers every day. They do not look kindly on customers who harass and belittle them. If this happens, they may become very angry and return the same offensive, demeaning behavior. As a result, you walk away upset and the shop owner feels bitter and angry.

I've seen this happen many times. Not only does it anger me to see travelers harass shop owners, but also this behavior does absolutely nothing for cultural understanding and global goodwill. What's been accomplished, is absolutely nothing but bad feelings.

Expressive Gestures

Expressive gestures, facial movements, and or the lack of them, will emphasize motivation toward a purchase. Communicating what you will pay and when you believe something is over-priced can be accomplished through body language. Eye expressions, hand movements, a smile, or dropped jaw, will all be understood regardless of any language barriers.

Poker Face

Stay cool, calm, and collected. Put your best poker face on. After going crazy over an item, by praising it up one side and down the other, don't be amazed when the shop owner won't budge from his price. The shop owner then knows how much you want and love that piece. He's got the upper hand now. Once you have revealed your true intentions and desire, to regain any leverage with the shop owner is futile. Shop owners, I'm convinced, have extraordinary powers of mental telepathy.

When you see an item you want, being nonchalant about the whole thing works best. I know it may be difficult but remaining neutral works to your advantage. The thrill of acquiring what you want is worth the challenge of staying cool.

Set Your Spending Limit

Limit yourself and budget your expenditures. Estimate what you can afford to pay for the item. Ask yourself what will be a fair price, for both the shop owner and you. Carry the specific amount of cash you are willing to spend on an item when you return to the shop. Let the bargaining begin. As a last resort, pull out what you are willing to spend and lay it out and say this is all you have. Often times, the cash beckons the shop owner and the deal is closed. Other times you are out of luck and no deal is made.

Shop Around

I've got to have it! The Impulsive Buyer Syndrome! When purchasing items abroad, it is absolutely necessary to shop around, compare quality and price. Avoid buying the first thing you see for fear that the next shop won't have it. Most regional areas carry similar, if not identical, items in the shops, markets, and bazaars.

Looking For A Specific Item

If there is a specific item that you want to purchase on your trip, do some research before you go. Investigate stores that carry the specific item you would like to purchase. Ask the shop owner how you can detect if the item is old, genuine, and authentic. Find out the retail price of the item in local stores and shops. If you know what it retails for home, then you will know if you are getting a good deal abroad.

Check out books at the library on the item so you have greater knowledge. The more you know, the less likely you will get ripped off.

Gem Stones

Thailand is a great exporter of colored precious and semi-precious gems. Sapphires, rubies, garnets, and jade may all be purchased in shops, markets, and on the streets. It is difficult to access accurately by simply looking whether gem stones are genuine or just colored glass or simulated stones. A thorough knowledge of gem stones is your best bet. Today, the manufacturing of simulated stones and stones made of glass is common. If you do not know how to separate the fake stones from the real, beware. Remember the old saying, if it is too good to be true, it probably is.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL

After I have shopped around and know the merchant I want to do business with, I go in and casually browse about. I choose a few different items I want to price, including some I am extremely interested in purchasing. This is my way of deflecting my true interest in any one item, hoping the shop owner won't pick up on my strategy. If I am willing to purchase the chosen three or four items, the shop owner may offer a better deal.

Be casual and polite when asking for prices and information. The more polite and respectful you behave, the chances are the same respect and kindness will be reciprocated.

Bargaining In Rajasthan, India

When traveling through Rajasthan, India, the intricate silver jewelry seemed to beckon to me from every shop. On a limited souvenir budget, I shopped around until I finally relinquished many of my rupees. I recollected the old tales of fishermen being drawn to the rocks by the lovely angelic voices of sirens, I wondered if this is what it felt like!

The following is a typical bargaining exchange I would engage in with a shop owner. In this scenario, I wanted to bargain for a silver and garnet ring.

Showing only marginal interest and glancing at other rings in the ring display tray, my eyes wandered over the cases of silver rings, bracelets, necklaces, and charms. The delicate silver designs and craftsmanship were fascinating.

Bargaining For the Silver and Garnet Ring

Katie: "May I see a few rings, please?" (I tried the ring on, looked at my hand and showed only marginal interest. I glanced at other rings in the ring display tray.)

Shop Owner: "All good quality, silver and garnet, very nice. I give you good price, each one 350 rupees."

Katie: Wow (muttered softly), that's a lot of money, more than I have to spend." (Hummmm.)
"What is your best price?" (Begin bargaining.)

Shop Owner: "Ah, too much little price for silver and garnet. stones, you see. You give me 300 rupees, no problem, you take now." (He hands the ring back to me and nods his head.)

Katie: "Yes, it's really nice...maybe I can give you 200 rupees. I've seen a lot of nice rings around here, but I only have so much money." (Still being friendly, but uncommitted, as well.)

Shop Owner: "No, no, no, 200 rupees, you give me 275 rupees because you are a nice person, I like you." (Again, nodding his head and acting as though he is giving me a real deal.)

Katie: "I don't know. It's not exactly what I'm looking for. I could give you 250 rupees, but that all I have." (I pull out 250 rupees and lay it on the glass counter.)

Shop Owner: "Okay, okay, you give me 250 rupees and finished." (He nods his head in agreement and smiles.)

Katie: "Okay, it's a deal, 250 rupees. Thank you, sir." (I look at the ring and smile, feeling pleased to have purchased the ring at a good price.)

I walk out of the shop and feel satisfied with the bargaining interaction and purchase. I am tickled pink. The shop owner made a sale and is pleased and I purchased my ring for the average market price, all very civilized.

Behaviors to Avoid When Shopping And Bargaining

How Much Is??? Everything!!!

"How much is every single item in your shop?" An exaggeration, yes, however, I've seen it happen. Travelers who ask for so many prices make me wonder what in the heck they are doing and how they could possibly remember one-tenth of the prices they've been quoted. It’s almost comical to watch if the shop owner didn’t become so aggravated.

Decide on which items you are interested in, then inquire as to their price. Randomly asking for prices on items throughout a shop with no intention to purchase anything is a real waste of the shop owner's time. Unknowingly, you may be distracting the shop owner from a potential sale, which will only frustrate him or her.

Avoid Carrying Large Amounts Of Cash

Avoid carrying and pulling out large amounts of cash when paying for items. Estimate the amount of cash you intend to spend and place your cash in a separate pocket from your other money. Be safe; don't carry a lot of cash at anytime.

Be Inconspicuous

Do not pull out and count your money in front of shop owners. If the shop owner can see how much cash you have, your bargaining power is less than zero. If the shop owner knows you have a lot of cash, they will quote you a higher price and will be less likely to actively bargain. Move along to another shop at this point, your bargaining power is history.

Don't Renege On The Deal

Do not renege on the verbal agreement after bargaining. If you are having doubts on buying an item, that's fine, just don't begin bargaining until you are sure you want the item. Backing out of the deal after you've bargained and reached an agreement is not looked upon kindly. Don't begin bargaining if you are undecided or feel pressured to buy. Leave the shop, take a moment, and think about what you want to do.

When All Is Said And Done

Bargaining can be a real blast and a fun way to communicate with people all over the world. Bargaining and making sales is how shop owners support themselves, their families, and meet their financial obligations.

They are in tough competition with other shop owners who would gladly sell their items to you as well. This is their livelihood, not a game of bargaining and bickering. Respect the fact that they struggle to make ends meet and see you as someone who has a lot more than they will ever have. Be fair and respectful.

If you really want an item, just can't live without it, then bargain what you can and buy it. There's nothing worse than coming home and regretting you didn’t get that one special painting, ring, or necklace.

A good exchange is advantageous to both parties. Remember everything is relative to your own experience. In some countries, you will be paying a great deal less for almost everything than in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Although it may seem so inexpensive to you, it will still be a lot for a native person. Remember you are coming from a country that is seen as very wealthy, regardless of what your own personal bank account reflects. You will be seen as a rich American. The reality is you are wealthy in comparison to the people surrounding you.

BARGAINING FOR TRANSPORTATION

When in Asia every time we wanted to go to our next unwalkable destination we had to bargain with the rickshaw drivers. Ask the price of how much it will be to take you to your destination. The rickshaw driver will give you a price. Usually this price is a lot higher than the locals pay. Before you inquire about the cost with the rickshaw driver, ask a local person, the hotel manager, or a restaurant waiter, what a fair price would be to your intended destination. When you know what the locals pay, you have a little bit better idea as to how much you should pay. We tipped our rickshaw drivers a bit over what they were asking. It was a nice gesture and they really appreciate a little extra cash.

Be aware there may be an extra charge for also transporting your backpacks and or luggage. Some rickshaw drivers will want extra for not only transporting you but your luggage. Make sure you have this discussed and agreed upon before you take off. Fewer surprises in the end make everyone a lot happier.

If you plan on being in a city for an extended period of time, it may serve you well to pick one driver who speaks English well and that you like and go to him when you need transportation. If you need a ride to a specific place and have a rapport with a driver, then you can set a time in which they can come and take you to where you want to go.

Also, you can hire a driver for the day to take you around to the sights for a negotiated price. Your driver can give you information about the city and sights that may not be in your guidebook.

Drivers on Commission from Shops

Some rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, and other people who give transportation may insist on taking you to a shop on the way to your intended destination. They will escort you to a shop and, if you buy something, they will get a commission for bringing you there. I stayed away from these drivers. I didn't want to be bothered with the "hard sell" to buy something I didn't want. Make it clear you do not want to go to the shops or you will end up there. This situation can be a real drag if you don't want to look and buy.

If you are interested, it can be a way to go to a lot of shops and see merchandise. Be prepared to spend some time there. Usually you will be served tea and maybe food. Make your intentions clear. Tell the shop owners you want to look around at many goods and are just now going to different shops to check out the merchandise. When you have seen enough merchandise to make a good decision, then you will purchase the item.

Excerpts from Katie’s soon to be published book, Window on the World, Straightforward Advice for Today’s Woman Traveler.