I don't. As a small business owner the second someone tries to haggle about my prices I show them the door. To me it's a waste of my time and I only want to deal with people who can afford my prices anyway.

I don't see why anyone should feel bad about haggling. In most places that it is common, it is a part of their culture and there is no offense taken to trying to bring down the price. Also, like stated earlier in the thread... they aren't going to sell it to you at a loss. They ALWAYS win and YOU always win because you got some random junk from another country at a reasonable price.

They expect it and enjoy you haggling, trust me. I think they get a bit confused when you take the item at their first price.

I hate it. I don't like the ideas that they look at you as a westerner and assume you are rich and then offer a higher price. I basically don't like getting ripped off, no matter the price. If you are haggling in a foreign country where you have only a vague idea of costs then you are always at a disadvantage to the merchant.

And I really don't feel sympathy for the carpet merchants who charge tourists $200 for a rug when the village peasant who actually made it was only given $5 or whatever.

I also prefer to browse around the shop before I buy something. But in haggling countries this is impossible, the moment you enter the shop the merchant is constantly in your face trying to sell you something. Other cultures may take this as normal, and fair enough it's their culture, but I prefer the fixed price system and always will.

I only haggle if I really have to. In haggling countries I mostly avoid buying souvenirs for this reason.

I make a point of visiting Supermarket chain stores or Hypermarkets just before I depart the country. The barcode scanner doesn't hagggle and there is no "special price" for foreigners.

By the way, if you want to see what rugs are actually worth beforehand, visit eBay. You will need to be very specific, however.

I hate haggling. Always have. Likely always will. I don't even like shopping in stores in the States where the prices aren't clearly marked. Nothing makes me less inclined to shop than having to ask, "What does this cost?" Lucky for me that I don't much like shopping to begin with.

When I visited the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul I found earrings that I loved; but I had to go to several shops before I found a pair that weren't somehow flawed. When I finally found that pair I said to the owner, "I don't haggle and I have to pay by credit card. You tell me what you think is a fair price and if I agree I'll buy the earrings." He no doubt thought me a freak but I was totally at peace because I bought a stunning pair of earrings that I wear most everyday at a price I thought to be quite fair (at least one-quarter of what I would have paid here). On top of which I have yet to find earrings that are as attractive and comfortable as these. Why should I haggle if I think the price is fair and I'm happy with the transaction?

I know that I am definitely in the minority on this one. My dearest friends in the world bargain for EVERYTHING all the time. While I admire their chutzpah it has never rubbed off on me, despite 30 years of exposure to their mores.

This haggling thing is about to rear its ugly head big time as I head out on a RTW to many countries where it's the custom. The idea of haggling with poor people who are struggling to survive just makes me sick. If I get labeled a sucker and pay more than the locals, so be it. I would probably feel differently if I settled in one place as I would want to be think of myself as a local. But if I am a traveler, especially a traveler from the First World, I SHOULD pay more than my fair share. Afterall, my lifestyle, my relative wealth, is made possible because the Third World sells their natural resources to the First World at obscenely cheap prices.

Hi all,
While I think bargaining is necessary in many places and can be a good experience i also like to shop at times in fixed price shops.

To feel less overcome by guilt for haggling over fifty cents, I also try to seek out one of the many shops, non-profit organizations or co-ops that are becoming more and more common for conscientious shoppers.

Many of these promote fair trade, fair wages and better working conditions for the artisans they represent. Some even provide benefits to their workers. The quality of the products is usually very high and they support the artists and keep traditional arts alive.

I usually buy one really nice thing (usually textiles in some form because I'm facinated by weaving, knitting etc) as my major souvenir purchase in a country and try to do that at one of these organizations.
Here are some that I've sought out:
Luang Prabang, Laos : Ock Pop Tok Beautiful textiles many using natural dyes from a small workshop providing fair wages and conditions.

Cusco, Peru : Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco Excellent weavings from the surrounding areas with demonstrations and a museum.

Bangkok, Thailand: Mae Fah Luang is on the third floor of the Siam Discovery Centre, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan Bangkok (62 252 4723-5). Doi Tung and Mae Fah Luang are working toward alternative sources of income (in place of opium farming) and better environmental practices in the golden triangle area.

Ko Yo near Songklah, Thailand....A co-op is set up on this island with beautiful traditional weavings, A nice day was spent walking around observing the weaving process and a nearby museum on the southern culture.

There was at least one co-op in Patan, outside of Kathmandu when I was there in 2002. I can't find my info on it right now though.

Hope this adds to the discussion. I really enjoy supporting these people and the traditions and skills that they are keeping alive.
-K

Gato feo - thank you so much your post. I will be visiting all of those places and will make good use of the informaiton.

I had deleted a paragraph from my earlier post about just such stores that are (or at least used to be) throughout Mexico. These shops were run by an arts/humanities arm of the government. Though the prices were a tad higher than one might bargain for at the open market, it was worth it to know that the majority of the money goes to the artisan rather than to the vendor.

I enjoy haggling and was lucky enough to learn off my father in China. His theory was that both seller and buyer had to walk away from the transaction happy. So if you feel tight haggling over 30 cents, don't - you'll remember that feeling every time you look your purchase. That also means you shouldn't be so agressive that the seller feels pressured - haggling in general is a good game or sport that you should take enjoyment in playing, not a war!

I work on the theory that sellers set a price in haggling cultures just as a starting point. A good way to start is to ask politely 'is that your best price?' that way they can decline to haggle and you can graciously accept their choice without any loss of face. Most of the time, I doubt I can haggle with the 'best' of them, but so long as I really love the object I've bought and it costs less than what I think it would cost back at home, I never feel like I've been ripped off.

I also enjoy the opportunity to interact with the locals, especially if they're as willing to indulge in theatrics and mock rolling of eyes as I can be! On the other hand, if they're pushy I just walk away even mid-haggle. I want to enjoy the experience, and odds are I didn't really 'need' the object I was haggling over anyway (and there'll be another one just around the corner)

And yes - I haggle back at home too, but on a case by case basis as it isn't as much a part of our culture here.

Although "haggling" is not part of our Australian culture, I have learned from watching people from other countries, where haggling seems to be a part of everyday life.

One rule though, I never but never haggle in supermarkets or grocers, chemists , newsagents or milkbars.

Household items like washing machines, sofas and the like are really worth it. I usually star off by pursing my lips andsaying Mmm is that the best price you can do. I'll be paying cash. And go from there.

Electrical and entertainment equipment come in for a good discount too. Some times saying I can get the same T.V.or DVD or whatever at such and such a place cheaper, but this store is closer. That works. Or something like (especially if they are hard to crack) Look I would prefer to purchase the ? from here as I've bought other items(name them) here and always been happy with th service. That also works.

In department stores I can usually get a discount -- there may be a pulled thread or a button missing , I explain that I would have to replace ALL the buttons and that would cost around so many dollars.Or if there is a mark then I say loo it needs to be dry-cleaned and there's no garuantee the mark will come out. Always make sure they don't have another in your size first tho. All these ploys have worked for me.


Have a nice day, Whistler.


If you can keep a sense of humour and see the funny side of life, you will never be old. SMC.