Comments on: How to Haggle http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/ Featuring insider destination guides and how-to articles from the matador travel community. Our focus is sustainable travel, cultural immersion, plus work, study, and volunteer opportunities worldwide. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:45:29 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: perde modelleri http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-5930 perde modelleri Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:28:05 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-5930 Like you say–everyone knows “walk away” and it IS underutilized. But walking away is best used in conjunction with “Money in Hand.” The combo of these tactics has served me well from Colombia to Kenya to Thailand. Like you say–everyone knows “walk away” and it IS underutilized. But walking away is best used in conjunction with “Money in Hand.” The combo of these tactics has served me well from Colombia to Kenya to Thailand.

]]> By: haber http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-5208 haber Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:18:56 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-5208 its very nice porjected. its very nice porjected.

]]> By: sikis izle http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-5116 sikis izle Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:45:17 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-5116 Thanks very much very good read Thanks very much very good read

]]> By: tv http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-4707 tv Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:29:35 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-4707 Thanks very much very good read that text :) Thanks very much very good read that text :)

]]> By: perde modelleri http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-4631 perde modelleri Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:57:45 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-4631 Must of these people survive with less than a dollar per day, just think about it. Must of these people survive with less than a dollar per day, just think about it.

]]> By: Alejandro http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 Alejandro Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:05:51 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-1555 I dont think its fair or "smart", to bargain in developing countries, its rather selfish and cruel. This poor people dont have much of an option when negotiating with "skilled" people like yourself. They need to sell their goods anyhow and at any cost, that´s the only way they can make some money to feed their families . Must of these people survive with less than a dollar per day, just think about it. I dont think its fair or “smart”, to bargain in developing countries, its rather selfish and cruel. This poor people dont have much of an option when negotiating with “skilled” people like yourself. They need to sell their goods anyhow and at any cost, that´s the only way they can make some money to feed their families . Must of these people survive with less than a dollar per day, just think about it.

]]> By: shakester http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-956 shakester Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:14:09 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-956 Most important thing for me- relax, smile a lot, understand that its a bit of a game, and even (possibly) try to enjoy it! The only time I have been put off with the bargaining process is when the seller is all "screw you, i'm not bargaining", in places where every shop bargains by default. Most important thing for me- relax, smile a lot, understand that its a bit of a game, and even (possibly) try to enjoy it!

The only time I have been put off with the bargaining process is when the seller is all “screw you, i’m not bargaining”, in places where every shop bargains by default.

]]> By: Nancy Brown http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-882 Nancy Brown Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:30:07 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-882 Thanks for the tips! The bulk discount suggestion is a good one. Thanks for the tips! The bulk discount suggestion is a good one.

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-874 Tim Patterson Sat, 05 Apr 2008 07:36:12 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-874 Hooray, global economy! It warms my heart to see profits at GE and PG rising even as the U.S. economy tanks. I think I need to go incorporate myself in Dubai. Hooray, global economy! It warms my heart to see profits at GE and PG rising even as the U.S. economy tanks. I think I need to go incorporate myself in Dubai.

]]> By: Daniel Harbecke http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-870 Daniel Harbecke Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:41:58 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-870 This may sound odd, especially in light of a recent BNT article about a global language, but I've found it actually helps NOT to know English. Or at least pretend. When I was haggling in Thailand, it didn't take long to notice they were out to fleece anyone from the States. So I put on a few lines of Portuguese I'd picked up in Brazil: "Eu não sou um americano. Eu sou um brasileiro..." It confused the vendors enough that they started low. A friend of mine went to Viet Nam a few years back, and she told me the vendors were going after Canadians, and giving Americans a break. "Americans are going through hard times," explained one seller. Fortunately, times have changed and we're all now enjoying the global economy. This may sound odd, especially in light of a recent BNT article about a global language, but I’ve found it actually helps NOT to know English. Or at least pretend.

When I was haggling in Thailand, it didn’t take long to notice they were out to fleece anyone from the States. So I put on a few lines of Portuguese I’d picked up in Brazil: “Eu não sou um americano. Eu sou um brasileiro…” It confused the vendors enough that they started low.

A friend of mine went to Viet Nam a few years back, and she told me the vendors were going after Canadians, and giving Americans a break. “Americans are going through hard times,” explained one seller.

Fortunately, times have changed and we’re all now enjoying the global economy.

]]> By: Lola Akinmade http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-869 Lola Akinmade Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:25:10 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-869 Definitely with Tim on this one. Sometimes I don't haggle knowing that the seller might need the extra dollars more than I do at that moment. Definitely with Tim on this one. Sometimes I don’t haggle knowing that the seller might need the extra dollars more than I do at that moment.

]]> By: Roland http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-866 Roland Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:03:27 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-866 Nice advise. I agree with #7, I've seen so many people lose perspective and not think. They'll argue over what would be the equivalent of say 10c here in the states. Is it really worth it? Especially when that extra 10c could mean a lot to the vendor whilst it's considered only chump change to you. Nice advise. I agree with #7, I’ve seen so many people lose perspective and not think. They’ll argue over what would be the equivalent of say 10c here in the states. Is it really worth it? Especially when that extra 10c could mean a lot to the vendor whilst it’s considered only chump change to you.

]]> By: Eva http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-864 Eva Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:17:38 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-864 In India I wound up traveling for a few days with a girl who'd been living in Delhi for six months. Ever since, I've wished I'd had the nerve to copy her signature line: "No, no. For me, Indian price." In India I wound up traveling for a few days with a girl who’d been living in Delhi for six months. Ever since, I’ve wished I’d had the nerve to copy her signature line: “No, no. For me, Indian price.”

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-863 Tim Patterson Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:53:52 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-863 Nice post - but I hope all readers keep in mind how ugly you can look haggling over 50 cents with a farmer when you've just paid $500 for a plane ticket - haggling, done right, is a good form of local interaction, but please don't be that guy yelling at the rickshaw peddler. -Tim Nice post – but I hope all readers keep in mind how ugly you can look haggling over 50 cents with a farmer when you’ve just paid $500 for a plane ticket – haggling, done right, is a good form of local interaction, but please don’t be that guy yelling at the rickshaw peddler.

-Tim

]]> By: Colin http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-862 Colin Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:51:01 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-862 I know this sounds weird, but for one country in particular (italy) I had the best luck when yelling at vendors. I know this sounds weird, but for one country in particular (italy) I had the best luck when yelling at vendors.

]]> By: ross http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-861 ross Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:48:56 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-861 Like you say--everyone knows "walk away" and it IS underutilized. But walking away is best used in conjunction with "Money in Hand." The combo of these tactics has served me well from Colombia to Kenya to Thailand. Pick a price that you are comfortable paying. Start below that, as you say with "haggle backwards", and then when they try to brush you off, take the exact amount of money you're comfortable with out and say the amount in conjunction with "right now!" Make a gesture of handing them the 20 in cash. Whether it's a popsicle or a piece of expensive art, any vendor will be tempted to cave once they see that cash in hand, coming their way. They know if they pull the trigger then, that the cash is theirs. If not, then walk. And as you say, come back around in an hour. This also works like a charm for cab rides: "20 and we go!" -Ross Like you say–everyone knows “walk away” and it IS underutilized. But walking away is best used in conjunction with “Money in Hand.” The combo of these tactics has served me well from Colombia to Kenya to Thailand.

Pick a price that you are comfortable paying. Start below that, as you say with “haggle backwards”, and then when they try to brush you off, take the exact amount of money you’re comfortable with out and say the amount in conjunction with “right now!”

Make a gesture of handing them the 20 in cash. Whether it’s a popsicle or a piece of expensive art, any vendor will be tempted to cave once they see that cash in hand, coming their way. They know if they pull the trigger then, that the cash is theirs.

If not, then walk. And as you say, come back around in an hour.

This also works like a charm for cab rides: “20 and we go!”

-Ross

]]> By: Shopaholic http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-859 Shopaholic Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:51:59 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-859 I like the idea of backwards negotiating. I would think that would be a shock to your opponent in any negotiation and would definitely show them that you aren't going to cave. I like the idea of backwards negotiating. I would think that would be a shock to your opponent in any negotiation and would definitely show them that you aren’t going to cave.

]]> By: N. Chrystine Olson http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/comment-page-1/#comment-844 N. Chrystine Olson Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:24:16 +0000 http://thetravelersnotebook.com/how-to/how-to-haggle/#comment-844 Of all things I'm really good at negotiating good deals on cars back home, but the haggling dynamic in foreign places always intimidated me. These are great tips (from another Idaho critter!) I still consider my triumph in Manzini's market buying fabric one of my best personal achievements. Thanks for sharing. Of all things I’m really good at negotiating good deals on cars back home, but the haggling dynamic in foreign places always intimidated me. These are great tips (from another Idaho critter!) I still consider my triumph in Manzini’s market buying fabric one of my best personal achievements. Thanks for sharing.

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