Guide to Haggling
Haggling is a process in which the buyer attempts to negotiate a better price on a product from the salesman. It is a practice used throughout Central and South America, as well as most of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Europe and North America.
By Matthew Bossons [travel bureau chief]
Haggling is a process in which the buyer attempts to negotiate a better price on a product from the salesman. It is a practice used throughout Central and South America, as well as most of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Europe and North America.
Let’s say I’m in Mexico shopping for a Team Mexico football jersey. I approach a vendor in a small street market who offers me one for $100 USD. This price is quite high, and it is to be expected that I can get the price much lower. One thing you must understand is that low-balling the initial price is not seen as rude or disrespectful, in fact – it is expected.
In retort to the salesman’s original price I offer him roughly one-third of the price, $30 USD. This is the formula I generally go by because it allows you lots of room to get to the actual value of the product and you aren’t starting so low that you look ignorant and rude.
Generally, what follows is an exchange of offers that narrow down a price that both parties can agree upon. This price should usually fall somewhere in the middle of the initial offers. In the case of the Team Mexico jersey I should have been able to purchase it for somewhere between $50 – $60 USD. This would have been both a reasonable deal for myself and the salesman.
There are several matters of courtesy to remember while haggling for a product.
The first is that the people you are usually bartering with are living in third world countries and they are most likely living below the international poverty line, so be respectful. Keep in mind the individual you are negotiating with probably has a family to feed and clothe and offering insultingly low prices is not only rude but extremely ignorant. That said, don’t let yourself be pressured and bullied, street vendors and hawkers can be very pushy at times so don’t be afraid to say no and walk away.
Don’t get discouraged if you get ripped off the first couple times you try to haggle, not everyone is cut out for it. I have learned through my own experiences. Each time you haggle, consider it a lesson and learn from the mistakes and successes of each attempt. Sometimes you will walk away with a genuinely good deal, other times you will leave only to hear from another traveller how they purchased the same item for dramatically cheaper. This happens, don’t let it get to you.
