Do you bargain?

I always bargain at the flea markets and antique markets in Frankfurt. Loved bargaining in Agadir and in Turkey. Simply a lot of fun!

We're all for bargaining. A few weeks ago at the bottom of the Eiffel tower we were taking a break and of course were bombarded with the guys selling those Eiffel tower key chains. We watched one walk up to a gal who gave 2Euro for 1 little key chain. Since we were sitting there a bit, they kept getting lower and lower on the price to us, even though we kept saying we weren't interested. Finally, as we were ready to leave, my husband got 4 of the keychains for 1Euro, which is the price (4 for 1E) we saw them selling for in front of the Louvre the day before. I'm sure it could've gotten lower, but I think you just pay whatever you're comfortable with sometimes, unless bargaining is more of a sport.....which it is for my husband.

In London you definitely bargain down the Portobello Road, for instance, but don't try it at Harrods. In general, antique and flea markets only in Europe, although if prices aren't marked they may be soft.

I've even bargained for hotel rooms at very nice hotels and received a generous discount. It pays to bargain.

We bargained a great price for a horse-drawn carriage ride on our last trip in Ireland, but I'm feeling a bit guilty about the deal we got. The cart kept following us around, offering a lower price, until he got to one I would take. My brother-in-law ended up sitting next to the driver. The driver asked him where we were from. After he told him, the driver said "things must not be going well for you guys there." Gotta love the Irish.

Bargaining can be done anywhere. If you don't ask, you don't get. I have met a lot of people who find this intimidating or are worried they might look foolish or insult the other person. Not me. I love negotiating. I have no problem saying to a sales person...."too expensive" or "is this the best price I can get." Sometimes they're willing to negotiate and sometimes they're not. I've even gotten discounts in major stores in the U.S. In Sears the other day, I was looking at TV's. I saw one I liked and casually mentioned that it was high in price and I might wait for a sale. The sales woman said, "no need to wait. When you're ready to buy come see me. We'll work something out."

Unless it is really a game... like in Tijuana or at a flea market.... I totally dislike it. I want the price to be the price and not because someone is a bigger whiner than I am do they get a different price. Also, because I am a business owner I do not want to be bargained with. In all my years of business very few people asked for a better price but when they did they not only paid full price (as did all my clients) they did not get the additional gift that I would have given them... so sometimes it does hurt to ask. (I find it offensive ) It very rarely has anything to do with price or the value of the item...its all about control. If its $50 the bargainer wants it for 40, but if it were 40 they would want it for 30...to me, if it is worth the price being asked then its a fair price ( and yes, I know I might get it for less...but I would rather not spend my time bickering...too stressful)

I totally agree with Terry kathryn, the price I quoit is the price. Why should I take a pay cut so someone can get bragging rights on a "deal". When a potential customer starts to haggle or moan about the cost of my work, I usually offer to give them a name of someone who they might be able to afford, then I walk out. That type of person is never happy, so why work for them.

I believe it depends on the situation and the location. At flea markets it is expected but in upscale shops or for services it seems inappropriate. And it also matters how you ask. It's important to be polite. I never whine or haggle obnoxiously. After appropriately greeting the owner I may say something like, "'Are your prices firm, or are you able to offer any discount?" or "I like this item very much but I'm afraid my budget won't support it. Can you make an adjustment on the price?" If I don't know enough of the language to say that, I at least learn enough to say "very pretty" and "best price?" with a smile. Whether I buy the item or not I always thank them. I have heard some people insult the item thinking they would then get a better price, which boggles my mind. By admiring the goods and being polite, I have gotten some nice items at reasonable prices, had some very interesting conversations with dealers, and learned some history of the items. So in the right situation, I consider bargaining a fun and interesting part of travel. Obnoxious attitudes can go both ways, too. Recently I inquired about an item in a mid-level antique/junktique shop and the owner quoted a truly outrageous price. I already was familiar with the going rates for such items and it was way over priced. When I thanked the dealer and said I was sorry, but it was more than I could pay (didn't even ask for a better price) he thundered angrily, "then why did you bother to come over here if you can't afford anything?!" I simply said, "then I will just leave your shop and stop wasting your time and mine", and left him with his mouth hanging open. I'm not sure if he thought my American accent was an indicator of the size of my budget, but the rudeness astounded me.

@Terry kathryn I could not agree more. I utterly LOATHE haggling. I just want to pay the price. Once, on a trip to Mexico City, I attempted to bargain at a jewelry stall, because everyone was telling me that I "had to" and it "was expected" and the vendor would "think I was an a*hle" if I didn't. Seriously. So I bargained, and it felt awful, even though I got a lower price. My feeling is, I am being charged a price that the seller thinks is plenty tempting, and helps him/her meet overhead and take home a profit. If I can afford that price, I pay it. If I can't, I don't buy the object. Also, in Western Europe, at stores, I think that haggling is as "not done" as it is here at Nordstrom or Macy's. So in a nutshell, my suggestion is - if it makes you feel weird, if it woould cast a pall over your day or your experience - don't do it!

I don't think it's either. For me, it's a cultural thing. In Perú, where I'm from, I always, always bargain at the Indian markets (the sellers are not the artisans, but retailers), especially when I accompany friends from the US. The store owners have a price, yes, but the "real" price is way (30-50%) below. However, if I go into a boutique that sells similar-type items (but much better quality & quite expensive - like Alpaca), I never bargain. It's uncouth. If you did, you'd get a raised eyebrow or a dismissive laugh by the salesclerk. As others have stated, it depends where you are and how you feel about it. I went shopping in Istanbul with a local friend of mine, who would jump in and bargain some more even after I had closed the deal. At the beginning I couldn't tell if the store keepers were offended by my friend's continuing haggling. I was even put off a little since I couldn't understand a word, but it didn't look/sound pretty with all the wild gesturing and raised voices. After handshakes and smiles, I knew everything was cool. My friend later explained that bargaining is expected - but if you're witty while doing it - then it's greatly appreciated. The key is not to be offensive... good luck with that. In Fez, Morocco - there was a lot of negotiating going on. As I walked by the stalls, I would hear in excellent English "make me an offer." Music to my ears. I've always bargained in Greece. The walking away tactic worked even when I was really not interested. I had a lady follow me for 2 blocks yelling prices behind my back. When I finally turned around - the huge grin on her face told me she knew she had me. We both made out well - I ended up buying a lot more than a tablecloth. I'd just say, if you find it distasteful or embarrassing - don't do it. Vendors will be just as happy to take your money!

@Kira... it was in Mexico that I decided it was not for me. There was an obviously poor woman selling these little neck wallets (which I use) and I wanted to buy 5 of them... they are leather and nice quality. She wanted $3 each and I talked her down to $2, so for 5 of them I paid $10. I was obviously there on a wonderful vacation and buying these as gifts for myself and my friends who would be using these on trips to Europe. That $5 meant way more her to than it did to me and I felt like a cheap a$$. So I wish I had 'spread the wealth' with my measly $5. (They were worth $10 each to me) @ James... ask the bargainers if they are ever happy with the price that is initially asked. If its a fair price do they pay it... or bargain just to bargain

@Terry kathryn EXACTLY!!!!!!!

I was in San Francisco today with my 21 yo son. I saw a necklace being sold by a street vendor and was really surprised the price was only $18. I thought it was worth more, but was happy to pay the $18. My son felt sorry for him and insisted we give him $20! So we did. So much for bargaining!

I don't believe that it's about either control or about cheapness. At least it isn't for me; I can't speak for anyone else. For me, it's about buying an item at a price that is acceptable to both the buyer and the seller, so everyone is happy. I'll repeat, as travelers should do in all situations, it is important to assess the situation and location. Sometimes it is accepted and expected to bargain and sometimes it is not. I do not advocate cheating poor people out of their livelihood, nor arguing obnoxiously with venders. Neither do I advocate overpaying for an item that was marked up to a ridiculously high price in order to take advantage of tourists. I do advocate courteous bargaining interaction when the situation calls for it and the sellers indicate they welcome it (that part is important). In many fleamarkets, sellers mark the prices unrealistically high just to have the room to lower it and still make a good profit. It has often happened to me that I have simply glanced at an item with a marked price, and the seller quoted me a much lower price before I even said a word. And yes, I have paid the first price I was quoted when it was reasonable and I didn't think bargaining was appropriate in the situation. I don't think of bargaining as either a "victory" or a "defeat", but simply a mutually beneficial interaction between buyer and seller. It's a personal choice, though. If you feel that you cannot assess the situation correctly and are in danger of behaving inappropriately, then don't do it. But those of us who try to pay reasonable amounts while behaving courteously would appreciate it if other people wouldn't either just throw money around recklessly or argue obnoxiously, and thereby reinforce the stereotypes of the rich, clueless, or crass American tourist.

One more comment about cheating poor people. I truly meant my post that I do not advocate trying to cheat poor people out of their livelihood. But you have to assess that carefully as well. I once saw a very obviously poor, bedraggled, pitiful sounding old woman selling on the street. She had a pretty distinct physical characteristic that caused me to remember what she looked like. Later I saw her in an out of the way restaurant, done up and dressed to the nines, eating and drinking and making merry. I am positive it was the same woman. So sometimes things aren't as obvious as we think.