A guideline to haggling overseas

“You got to know when to hold ’em, 
know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, know when to run. You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’
when the dealin’s done.” -Kenny Rogers

This is gospel when it comes to gambling and it’s pretty damn handy when haggling too. Keep reading and I’ll explain why.

The basics

The basics to haggling are to set your price obnoxiously low, feel the environment out and slowly work to an agreement. If they say the cost is 200, you say you will pay 20 and build from there. The shop keeper will usually tell you that’s too cheap, they will offer their “special price”, which will be around 150 and you should retort around 25-30.

If you set the bar too high and the shop keeper accepts, you made a deal and backing out is considered poor etiquette and just plain rude. I’ve seen shop keepers yell and even go as far as to throw things at people who go back on their agreed lowest price.

Start low, build slowly, and always beware of the “special price”, you can usually get it much cheaper.

Always beware of the “special price”

Here are a few examples of why I’ve been offered the “special price” for the sake of entertainment.

I’m so handsome, because I’m so nice, I’m a good guy, because I’m like their brother, because I like Kung Fu, I’m the first sale of the day so I deserve a special price, because I’m not Australian, my Mom will love it, they will make their parents proud, I must have a girlfriend and a special lady deserves a special price, because America, in addition to many other bullshit reasons why somebody tried to sweet talk me and rip me off. You get the point?

If you want something bad enough you will need to invest time negotiating and making small talk, followed by the most important part of all.

Never get too attached to something you may want to buy. Great shopkeepers can smell weakness like a shark to blood and if you can’t control yourself, they will get the kill.

Be aware of the exchange rate when haggling.

Numbers get fuzzy quick and you can forget their value. Know what your dollar is worth, but don’t be a dick to someone trying to make a living in a place where that money makes a difference.

Don’t fight over peanuts.

You don’t have to be so nice that you get ripped off, but remember, you have enough money to fly to the other side of the world and they probably do not.

Being too stubborn can screw up a really good deal over what adds up a few cents and desire can can get you ripped off.

There’s an ebb and flow to it all.

I’ve been thrown out of a few shops in the process, but I’ve also gotten some amazing deals.

Knowing when to walk away

Now, there is one ace up you should keep up your sleeve that has led many shop keepers to chase a potential customer down the street to make a sale.

Know when to walk away.

It’s the most powerful way to show you are serious about your bottom line lowest price and it’s pretty damn fun when done right. Plus if you get good enough, you might get what you want even cheaper if you play your hand right.

Don’t keep all of your cash in one place

A fun trick I like to use when haggling is to spread my money in my pockets and put about half of what I want to pay in my wallet.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of my wallet, I conveniently have something around twenty more dollars in my right pocket, ten in my left, five in my back pocket and a few more in my bag, etc. If you keep all of your money in your wallet it can screw up a good negotiation.

Being able to pull your wallet out and show what you have inside is a strong leverage point in a sale where haggling is involved. Then, you conveniently reach in your pockets accordingly.

If you still can’t get the deal you want, just leave or go next door.

Conclusion

Have fun when shopping in countries where negotiation over price is an option and don’t rush. Haggling is considered considerate shopping in some places and the ability to make small talk can take you far.

Another tip is that some countries consider the first sale of the day to be good luck.

Use this.

In conclusion, be respectful of the shop keeper, don’t be a pushover, and remember, if the shop keeper is smiling when you leave, you lost.

Happy hunting my friends.