Comments on: To Haggle or Not To Haggle

By: Issa

Issa — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:44:46 +0000

Well, in our country(Iran), it is very common to do that.
I mean you should do that.

So this is to all travelers heading to Iran:
Feel free to haggle as much as you can, No Worries.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:39:52 +0000

you could argue that when norwegians go on holiday they should pay more wherever they go, be it the uk,france,spain,greece etc.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:29:13 +0000

In many well trodden regions it is becoming more and more difficult for vehement non-hagglers to argue a case of rich vs. poor.
Granted in off the track places I have travelled to I am much less likely to haggle but when i see people on the south east asia route haggling hard I think fair enough.
Put it this way – if i could sit down with my laptop and charge people 2 dollars for a new album that i downloaded off bit torrent and make potentially 1000s of percent mark up on selling cheap ass t-shirts on a street that literally swims with people i would.
Think about taxi drivers on small islands you have visited driving 10 or more people 10 minutes down the road in their benched out pickups for the price of 3 dollars each. These guys arent paying any taxes on their earnings.
Now, this is of course in very well trodden areas and like I said earlier I am never likely to shake down an old lady selling bananas for the sake of a few cents. This is just petty – but i think that there is a lot more grey area in the issue than simply ‘yes or no’.
Many people you do business with may not be nearly as poor as you think

By: shakinkorea

shakinkorea — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:57:04 +0000

@Pickled Eel

Your comments came across as brash and playing the “guilt card” many vendors have in mind. You claim that every traveler should have to pay the stupid tax on street items merely because we’re foreign, which is utterly ridiculous. From everywhere to Europe, Latin America, and Asia haggling is accepted, if not demanded, by the locals and tourists alike. To truly ingratiate yourself with a culture, do as the locals do, find out some comparable prices, and haggle.

I’ve actually made friends and bonds with that people/culture by haggling; in Turkey while haggling I was invited in for traditional apple tea and conversation; in Korea I was offered additional “free” items and travel advice after my purchase; in Latin America some shopkeepers and I grabbed a cerveza after closing time (and I’m not a pushover to get this treatment). It’s normal. It’s okay to haggle – you are expected to – and the great part is, if it doesn’t work out, you can just walk away to the next find. As long as you stay amiable, and know when to walk away, you’re fine.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:22:29 +0000

Haggling is not my thing, I dont think I am good at it but admire people who can do it. If it is a case of culture, why not?

By: BunnygotBlog

BunnygotBlog — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 03:25:23 +0000

Hello,

I think there is a problem with most of the salesmen abroad.They don’t like to wait on you and if you are a tourist, the ruder they are.

Cheers

By: C.Sykes

C.Sykes — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:03:56 +0000

I think a lot depends on how you haggle. I would do the same thing I do if I’m trying to get a lower price on a garage sale item here in the U.S.

First, don’t insult the seller or the item. “That much for this junk?” If it’s junk, or bad food, or not worthy, why do you want it? Instead, look a bit hesitant, explain that the food looks delicious but you have a lot of other groceries to buy and see if the vendor offers you a lower price. If they do, thank them. If it’s an item you’re buying, tell the seller that it’s almost exactly what you want and you’re tempted….would they accept a little less?

If they say, yes, thank them and buy the product.

Cheaper prices, no insulting the seller or vendor, no rudeness.

By: Pickled Eel

Pickled Eel — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:33:31 +0000

Just back from a week in Hong Kong where I led a group of teenagers helping out at Crossroads (an excellent charity at http://www.crossroads.org.hk) and spent two days with them in various markets – we stayed away from the shopping centres. They ALL had enormous fun haggling for their trinkets and baubles, taking on the grizzled veterans of haggle central in the Ladies or Night Markets. It was an interesting cultural experience for them with some hilarious conversations and interactions. These are “Westfield shopping centre kids” – they were never going to get into a serious haggle – but 10-20% off here and there made for some lively shopping, and them happy. Let’s now see just how long their haggle specials stay out of the donation bin at home!

By: Kerrin

Kerrin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:07:28 +0000

Oh, DEFINITELY haggle! It’s part of the experience, immersing yourself in that culture, doing as the locals do… Not to mention paying the prices locals pay – or at least close to them. The vendors expect you to haggle! And don’t worry, right off the bat, you’ll know if they don’t! Ask other locals about typical prices before you go to a market, so you know what’s “fair.” And depending on what the vendor then offers you, you know how much haggling is needed. You are not trying to cheat anyone out of well earned money, you are just trying to continue the commercial exchange at the right level.

And most of all, have fun. For me, haggling in Istanbul, Botswana, the Peloponnese, Brazil, even NYC… and tons of other spots around the world, led to interesting conversations, rich interactions and a more lively experience overall. I mean, who has been to Morocco and was not invited inside for a cup of sweet mint tea. “Come in, my friend, nothing to sell you, just a cup of tea with me, we talk, my friend…!”

Great topic – and really excellent replies from all bloggers, on both sides. Great comments too…

By: Craig | travelvice.com

Craig | travelvice.com — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:25:58 +0000

My response to Eric when he asked me this question…

“Isn’t there a third option? To walk away? Why waste the energy or money — am I that hungry?”