the bargaining is a common practice in some countries, for example in most of the Maghreb countries, the Turkey or theEgypt but also in India.
If you don't haggle, you run a great risk of being fooled by the prices because sellers always expect to haggle and their prices are higher as a result. A few things to keep in mind:
- The prices will always start very high. This will undoubtedly discourage you, but stick to the price you set for yourself.
- When you advertise a price, make it lower than what you plan to put. There is little chance that the seller will accept right away, so you will have to increase your bid!
- Be strong ! Don't let the seller sell you something for a price you don't want to accept!
- If he announces a ridiculously too high price, step into his game and announce with a smile a ridiculously low price!
- The vendors can offer you tea, coffee, etc. You can accept and that doesn't mean you're going to buy anything. But be careful, don't be naive, even the nicest seller remains a seller whose goal is to sell you something and not to chat!
- Don't get help from a native you don't know, he might have a commission on the sale.
- If you are bargaining for something unique, don't show too much interest as the seller will sense it and impose its price.
- The key to good bargaining is knowing the usual price for what interests you. To learn the prices, nothing beats experience! Ask other people how much they paid for similar items and try to get a better deal!
- If you are in a country that uses Eastern Arabic numbers (0-9 = ۰,۱,۲,۳,۴,۵,۶,۷,۸,۹), learn them. This will save you time and money if you are haggling over the price of a hotel, as usually the prices are displayed at the front desk.
When you haggle, do this in a reasonable way:
- If you make an offer, you are required to pay that price. Don't waste your time or the seller's time if you don't intend to buy. Asking for a price is like starting a negotiation.
- It's understandable to haggle over the price of a rug in a bazaar, but is it actually worth it for a bottle of water? If you are asked 3 €, don't waste time haggling, go elsewhere.
- Some objects have a fixed price and only tourists allow themselves to haggle. In general, the stewardship, or the bus / train tickets are at fixed prices. If you really are in doubt, just check the prices by asking other people.
Finally keep smiling and stay calm! Bargaining is a game in which the seller and the buyer must leave with a feeling of winning!
