How to be a better bargainer abroad

Everybody loves a bargain. And when you’re trying to stretch your travel dollars while still snagging a few souvenirs abroad, a few dollars saved can mean a few extra knickknacks to pack in your suitcase. Luckily for the thrifty traveller, many marketplaces around the world are built around a bit of good-natured haggling. The dance that leads up to scoring a deal, though, can be tricky to master. To help you out, we’ve put together 12 tips to help you be a better bargainer abroad.

Don’t flash your cash

When it comes to bargaining – and bargaining successfully – the last thing you want to do is let the person you’re bargaining with know you have a wallet full of money. That person doesn’t need to know you can afford the asking price (and then some) so you’re better off keeping your money out of view while you’re trying to get the cost down.

Alternatively, flash a bit of cash

OK, so we know we just suggested keeping your money out of sight, but sometimes it can be beneficial to have a small amount of cash in one pocket to show as “all you have”. This technique doesn’t always work, but by (politely) insisting that what you’re holding is all you have to work with, you just might be able to snag the deal you were hoping for.

Learn the language

No, you don’t need to be fluent in Thai to knock a few hundred baht off of that silk scarf in Thailand, but learning a few friendly phrases will certainly help. A pleasant, “Can you give me a discount?” or, “Oh, that’s too steep” in the vendor’s native tongue will not only let him know you’re interested in haggling but might also impress him, making him more likely to cut you a deal.

Play it cool

It’s important to keep your enthusiasm in check when you bargain. In other words, don’t let on that you simply have to have that replica samurai sword for your personal collection, because once you do, the ball is in the shopkeeper’s court. The less attached and aloof you seem, the harder the shopkeeper will try to persuade you to buy by lowering his prices. It also helps not to pick up or touch the items you want – something else that can show eagerness.

Strike up a conversation

Assuming there’s no major language barrier, in addition to being friendly and respectful throughout the bargaining process, investing a bit of pre-bargaining time in conversation can go a long way towards endearing you to the vendor. That time spent getting to know the vendor can mean they’ll be more likely to be flexible with price.

Start low

Depending on the country and market you’re in, the first price given can be triple or quadruple what the vendors will truly sell that item for. When throwing out a number, never throw out the price you actually want to pay. Go low so you can dance back and forth, eventually meeting in the middle at the price you really wanted.

Bring a friend

Having a third party along for the bargaining can something help the process; more specifically a third party who acts bored, talks about finding a better deal elsewhere, or who hints at wanting to go back to the hotel or hostel. If the shop or stall owner senses you losing interest thanks to your friend, you may have better luck with getting a better price.

Be firm, not pushy

Remember, bargaining should be a win-win for all parties. Be firm with what you’re willing to pay, but never demand a certain price, or get stressed out. You’ll get a better bargain by letting the shopkeeper meet you in the middle, not by demanding she meet your expectations.

Walk away

Or at least be prepared to walk away. This is a last resort tactic, so only start walking away if you’re truly prepared to leave without your treasured trinket. Many times, the shopkeeper will call you back as you walk away with a last and final offer. If you return, know that you’re entering into “final negotiation mode” and the number that’s offered is probably as low as it’s going to get.

Find out what locals would pay

No matter where you’re travelling and what your bargaining for, it’s pretty standard that there’s a difference in what a tourist pays for something versus what a local would pay. So if you can, ask a local about the true cost of what you’re looking to buy. That way you’ll have a better idea of how much you’ll be willing to pay for it as well as give you a starting point for the bargaining process.

Ask about deals on multiple items

Vendors often get more flexible with price if you’re planning to buy more than one item. In the end, they want to sell their goods so there’s a good chance that if you ask about buying three silk scarves instead of one, you can get a better deal by buying multiple items. This works best if you have several people to buy for.

Shop later in the day

A lot of vendors tend to be more willing to drop prices towards the end of the day, when they’re getting ready to pack up, and especially if they haven’t sold much up to that point.

Main image: istockphoto/Nicolas McComber