Bargaining Tips for the Non-Confrontational
Posted on 21. Jul, 2011 by Steph in Advice
I really, really, REALLY hate bargaining. I love perusing markets and picking out unique gifts for the people back home, but the thought of having to haggle over prices in broken english with a savvy street vendor is almost enough to keep me away. Mostly it’s because I just hate conflict of any kind. I hate acting tough, I hate being pressured and I hate arguing, especially with people I don’t know.
As a traveler though, bargaining has become an essential part of my life. In South East Asia for example everything- from tuktuk rides to hotel rooms need to be bargained down unless you want to pay fool’s prices. So I bargain. I may not like it, but I can grit my teeth and do it.
So here are my tips for getting a fair price when you’d really rather just order online:
Bring a Buddy- Preferably a more assertive one. My boyfriend for example LOVES the challenge of a good haggle, so I’m happy to let him step up and do my dirty work for me. Is it a cop out? Sure, but it’s an effective one.
You’re not always going to have someone with you though, so it’s good to master a few bargaining tactics on your own:
Set a Limit- Before you even start negotiations figure out the absolute most you are willing to pay for that antique clock/boat ride/room for the night. Knowing your boundaries will help you stay focused.
Bring a Calculator- One of the most challenging parts of bargaining in another country is the language barrier. Many vendors in SE Asia have calculators that they use to type out the prices and to bargain. If you’re worried about getting your point across, invest in a pocket-size one for yourself.
Buy in Bulk- One of the easiest ways to drive down the price of just about anything is to up the volume. A seller might insist that a woven scarf is worth $5, but if you offer to buy too, you can sometimes get the price dropped to $3 each (this is only worthwhile if you want two of course). This works on hotel rooms too- stay more than one night and it is easier to negotiate a lower price per night.
Walk Away- Your feet are absolutely your best bargaining tool. The main weakness that most of these salespeople have is that there is far greater supply than demand. They know that if you don’t like their prices for hand carved buddhas you can just head to the next stall and start all over again.There have been times I’ve accidentally bargained down a price to record lows just by picking it up, looking at it and walking away. I didn’t actually want those panda chopsticks or wooden frogs or whatever but the sellers definitely wanted to sell them to me.
Don’t Look at it as a Fight- Most important of all is making sure you are in the right mind-set. I always viewed haggling as a confrontational act, but for most local people it’s not person- it’s a way of life. The locals are expecting to haggle- they’ve marked up their merchandise because they are expecting the price to come down. As my friend Anil at Foxnomad told me “the goal is to tie, not win.”
What’s your top bargaining tip?
Brooke vs. the World has asked travel bloggers to put together their best thrifty and resourceful travel tips for a helpful, free ebook. If you think you’re thrifty and would like to participate, check out the official rules.
38 Responses to “Bargaining Tips for the Non-Confrontational”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- - July 27, 2011
[...] Twenty-Something Travel: Bargaining tips for the non-confrontational As I prepare for a couple of possible trips to foreign destinations in the coming months (Mexico City? Thailand?), this post about haggling with locals comes in handy. Like many people, I’m not comfortable doing that, but Steph provides come good tips. ← Visiting Bunker Hill and checking out Boston statues [...]
- - July 27, 2011
[...] excellent bargaining tips, check out this post by fellow travel blogger, Twenty-Something Travel: Bargaining Tips for the Non-Confrontational.) Some of the questionable fare on sale at the [...]
- - July 29, 2011
[...] Twenty-Something Travel wrote an article about bargaining methods for the non-confrontational. It was an interesting take on bargain hunting because I happen to be totally comfortable with confrontation in and around markets. I’m not sure if living in New York City has something to do with it but I simply love a good haggle. However, these are beneficial tips to keep in mind when you are in non-English speaking countries, since it’s definitely advantageous to know the language. [...]
- - July 29, 2011
[...] As a traveler though, bargaining has become an essential part of my life. In South East Asia for example everything- from tuktuk rides to hotel rooms need to be bargained down unless you want to pay fool’s prices. So I bargain. I may not like it, but I can grit my teeth and do it. Read more…. [...]
- - July 31, 2011
[...] Bargaining Tips for the Non-Confrontational – Twenty-somethingtravel.com [...]
- - August 25, 2011
[...] rupiah! So, especially when dealing with street vendors, bargain. It is worth noting though, that bargaining is intended to be fun and the result is that both you and the vendor part ways happy with the deal. Grinding the vendor [...]
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Vi
21. Jul, 2011
walking away is probably the best bargaining tool
p.s. what a nice flowers in the first picture
ehalvey
21. Jul, 2011
I’m definitely going to need this in Istanbul. The Spice Market is calling my name, and I’ll need to actually negotiate instead of my usual avoiding salespeople until I pay MO.
melanie
21. Jul, 2011
Great tips! I find I am one of those aggressive-types that everyone likes bringing along.
But I find that I can get carried away. Sometimes I have to step back and ask myself “why the hell am arguing over a 25cent price difference? Is it really that big of a deal?”
Chelse
21. Jul, 2011
My star strategy also involves a friend, but it is without question the most effective I’ve used: one person plays the interested party (I love this, it looks so good) and the other person, usually with better language skills, plays the nay-sayer (way too expensive, we can get it somewhere else better, etc.) This way the seller knows there is a good chance for a sale, so they don’t just get frustrated and quit, but they also know they can’t totally scam you– helps for person B to know the actual standard price.
Other than that, joking around, saying you’re a student (if it’s true) and speaking the language all help. But just bargain down to a fair price. If you accept a ridiculously inflated price it sets up tourists to get scammed, but badgering them down to a below-market price isn’t on; they need to make a living. I like the idea that you want to “tie, not win.”
Brett
21. Jul, 2011
The calculator is a great tool for bargaining. In China, they usually always started the bargaining by typing an initial price into a calculator. When their calculator had the button…I’d always start my side by hitting the “backspace” button on the calculator…so starting at 10% of their asking price.
I’d know what I am willing to pay for the item…but stand firm at your low-ball offer at the start…they quickly come down in price, often to well below my max.
The real negotiation starts after the first time you start to walk away. Walking away is always the key. If you have a lowball offer and walk away, if they stay silent and let you go…you need to raise your price. If they try to stop you and keep you at the table…your price is usually going to be accepted…just keep pushing it!
Amanda
21. Jul, 2011
These are all great tips, Steph. I, too, hate being faced with confrontation. I get nervous even being forced to talk to strangers sometimes. So visiting China was really tough for me!
I used a lot of these tips, however. The calculator one is huge! As is the one about walking away — sometimes you discover helpful bargaining tips without even meaning to!
Danielle Miss Journey
21. Jul, 2011
These are good tips. I agree that walking away is a great way to show that you’re serious. Bargaining becomes like a game of chicken and the one with the bigger balls wins. So keeping the poker face and confidence (even if you’re faking it) certainly helps. There are also situations when being charming works, but there still needs to be confidence underneath that.
Toni
21. Jul, 2011
Great tips there Steph!
I think the best one I could offer is to always do it with a smile. You are much likely to get a bargain if you seem to be ‘joking’ about the haggling. Besides, being angry etc in most Asian cultures is seen as rude anyway – that won’t get youm ANYWHERE! =)
Erin
21. Jul, 2011
I agree with Toni, do it with a smile! I also try some slight flirting if I’m dealing with a salesMAN. I’m young and cute. I’m going to use it while I’ve got it!
Christine
21. Jul, 2011
Ahhhh I hate bargaining! I don’t know how I’m going to deal in SE Asia or other places where it’s part of the culture–I’d much rather just pay the asking price and walk away!
Naomi
21. Jul, 2011
I love bargaining, but yeah, it can be stressful sometimes! Some of the best advice I’ve gotten is, also, that your feet are one of your best bargaining tools – many sellers will dramatically drop prices if you start to walk away. Also, try and hide your interest in whatever you’re looking at – if you’re obviously enamoured then you’ll rarely get a good deal on it!!
Erik
21. Jul, 2011
I hate it too. My mom thrives on it. (She’s a serious traveller, too.)
When I was in Jerusalem last year, I knew i needed a ton of souvenirs and I was nearing the end of the trip. I was so fortunate to find a fixed price store in the middle of the Christian Quarter near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I realized how much money I would have lost has I chose to bargain with my limited skills (and tolerance for the whole exercise!)
Steph
01. Aug, 2011
finding a fixed price store is such a releif sometimes!
Fred
21. Jul, 2011
Is stomping my feet and crying an acceptable bargaining tactic?
Steph
01. Aug, 2011
That depends… are you under the age of 8?
Brooke vs. the World
22. Jul, 2011
Excellent tips! Thank you! Walking away or buying bulk usually helps me get what I want. I also love the last line about meeting in the middle – excellent mindset to be in.
dtravelsround
22. Jul, 2011
Great tips! I did a post like this last year after visiting Morocco and Turkey. Walk away is one of my absolute favorites. And, have someone else with you to help the negotiations. It gets so overwhelming!!
Odysseus Drifts
22. Jul, 2011
These vendors have been bargaining for ages. They are truly experts at it — and it is, in fact, a skill — so few of us should be worried about whether we “win” the haggle and somehow cheat the vendor. That’s rarely even an option. Foreigners will almost always pay more than locals.
Michael Hodson
22. Jul, 2011
I love the walk-away. That is basically my only move, but it is effective.
Steph
01. Aug, 2011
I find it works best when you are actually not in the least bit interested in buying whatever it is they want to sell you. Then the price tumbles down!
Si @thedepartureboard
22. Jul, 2011
Be careful if you walk away, even if you return another day there is a good chance they will remember you. So if you can do the transaction there and then that would be best. Stick to your guns, but don’t be aggressive. Simply enjoy the experience and don’t make it a battle!
Odysseus Drifts
27. Jul, 2011
Actually, I’ve done that with really good outcome. If they see you’re still around for a couple of days, the vendors might assume you’re an expat and give you a better price since you then have the chance of becoming a return customer.
Tom
23. Jul, 2011
Great post, Steph! I’m a nervous type when it comes to markets – I hate confrontation with people I don’t know! Although I’m fairly stern when it comes to taxi drivers, and people trying to rip me off in my own language haha!
Alex
23. Jul, 2011
My boyfriend is such a great bargainer, I let him handle all of it! I get flustered and feel like I’m getting ripped off but somehow he always gets the vendors laughing!
Steph
01. Aug, 2011
I get embrassed just WATCHING my boyfriend bargain. It’s sad.
Christopher
24. Jul, 2011
I have such a market phobia! By coincidence, I wrote about it not too long ago (http://www.bumblebeeandtheyank.com/2011/07/18/photo-of-the-day-21-el-mercado/). Great tips… and most, Sarah and I have ended up using, even without thinking about it. She’s a much better negotiator and has helped immensely! Keep up the good articles.
Natalia
25. Jul, 2011
I hate bargaining! However, it is extremely useful. I am going to start bringing a calculator to markets. Great article!
Nicole
25. Jul, 2011
GREAT post. I am exactly like you. I don’t want to start a fight (even if its not really one) with a total stranger while I am visiting their hometown. I also always feel bad – because I know they see me as a rich traveler trying to get a deal. But I guess its all part of it – they EXPECT you to bargain. This blog post was a great peptalk!
OurPassportStamps
27. Jul, 2011
I actually LOVE the thrill of the bargain! However, your friend Anil gave the best advice. The goal is not to win, but to tie. I would like to take this a bit further. While bargainning is a common practice almost everywhere and I know that it is expected. I take a look at who I’m bargainning with. Many, many times that extra dollar out of my pocket will go a whole lot further to the person receiving it than I could probably ever imagine. I would rather skip my 4 dollar latte for one day and give it to someone that is sleeping on a dirt floor. Many people talk about giving back to the places that you travel to…while a good bargain game is always fun for me, sometimes it can be a bit more enjoyable to know that when it appears you didn’t get the best deal …you actually did
Steph
28. Jul, 2011
This is why I’m not a hard bargainer at all- I just can’t get worked up over a dollar or two that will go further in someone else’s picket. Your last line is so true.
Kristen
29. Sep, 2011
I love bargaining! I heard a few good lines in Kenya: “My mother would beat me if I paid that price! She would kick me out of the house. You want me to be injured and homeless? I thought we were friends!”
Steph
29. Sep, 2011
haha love it!