←→Five Pointers on Bargaining

Posted Monday, February 5th, 2007 · Permalink

One of the more difficult aspects of traveling through developing nations is the politics and economics of bargaining. The verdict on the ethics of bargaining is still not in. Some believe it to be insensitive to bargain with poor people when you, in relation, are rather wealthy. That debate has going on since traveling became affordable. Putting that aside, let us consider the following quote by J.M. Coetzee, one of my personal favorite writers:

Shopkeepers cheat […] when they can, justifying themselves on the ground that foreigners have too much money and are stupid anyway.

This is, in my mind, a relatively apt description of some of the attitudes I have found on my travels. Let as assume for now that you want to bargain. Bargaining is difficult for most westerners. It is something that you might not be accustomed to because you are used to the comfort of having fixed prices. Moreover, it is impossible to write an article that clearly defines a “how-to” strategy on the, dare I say, art of bargaining because situations and cultures vary enormously. But let us consider a few pointers.

1. Gain a feeling for prices. After traveling for a few days, you might start to get a feel for how much things might cost. Ask around, talk to locals and other travelers. After a while you will know what the standard price is (which might always be slightly adjusted for foreigners) and you can use this knowledge to know when you’re being ripped-off.
2. Be calm. Bargaining can be a frustrating activity. Sometimes you might get the feeling that the shopkeepers, or whoever, feel that it is their right to ask higher prices from you. But in most countries where bargaining is the norm, it pays to be calm. Never show frustration. They might see it as weakness. It’s all about face.
3. Walk away. If things don’t work out how you would like them to, walk away. It will probably not be the last time that you are awarded the opportunity to buy that particular object or service. And you might be surprised how many shopkeepers will come after you when you walk out that door!
4. Be serious about what you’re doing. Shopkeepers are doing a job and so they must be serious when it comes to doing their job right. It is, after all, their lifeblood. If you come over as ignorant or uncaring, they will, in all seriousness, take advantage of you. Only when you are serious about the transaction can you start negotiating fairly.
5. Get used to it, and try to have fun! Being serious about something does not mean you shouldn’t have fun. Bargaining is an aspect of life in many countries. Relax and try to enjoy it. It’s like a game: the more you practice, the better you get at it, the more you’ll enjoy it.

There are many more aspects to bargaining that might be worth mentioning. It will undoubtedly be a topic that I will write about in greater detail later.

Filed under Travel Tips.