Bargaining/negotiating

A lot of countries the price is the price unless you are buying major things like cars or houses. Throughout many areas of this world Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, etc if you want to buy things you have to negotiate the price. Speaking from a Canadian's point of view it is not something we are used to nor do we like it. There are a few things to consider when doing this in some of these developing countries;

1) 1 dollar to them could be the equivalent to 20 or 100 or more dollars for you

2) Be willing to walk away

3) They are always going to give you a really high tourist price first

4) Carry a calculator 

5) It helps if you can speak the local language or get a local to buy it for you
6) Carry smaller bills it makes negotiations easier
7) Make sure you understand what currency they are talking about

8) Most importantly have fun with it!

You may want to try going to a few vendors for the item you want. In Central America I usually pay around 4 or 5 dollars for a tank top or tshirt and in SE Asia around 2 or 3 dollars.

I was in San Jose Costa Rica one time and wanted a hammock. I knew someone from the tour who got a hammock and they told me they paid 20 US for one. The negotiations went something like this;
Me: How much?
Vendor: 40 US
Me: 20
Vendor: 30
Me: 20
Vendor: 30
This is when I proceeded to turn my back and walk away. The vendor called out to me and said ok 20.

Today I was lost and needed a ride back. I saw a guy with a motorcycle and he asked me where I was going. I told the guy and he told me a price of 200 VND (200,000 or about 10 US). I told the guy no and he dropped it down to 100, then 60, then 50 and said, it was a good price I then walked away. After a few minutes he drove by and called out to me and told me 40 (about 2 US). I might have been able to get a lower price but I just wanted to get back to the hostel.

Like any other skill some people are better than others at negotiating. When I am buying items such as clothing or art work I like to ask if I can take a picture of their shop or of them as well. I also like to get the people to teach me something whether it be language or something local. The pictures below are from a beach vendor I dealt with in Jamaica and a very nice lady with her daughter in Guatemala. There are going to be times when you pay more than others. No matter what you are getting a lot better deal than you would ever get back home. Sometimes I will ask them for something small lets say I am buying two tshirts I may ask for a bracelet, or something else for free.

Any one have good tips on how to negotiate? Something interesting I heard some countries you have to becareful when you negotiate as to insult the vendor. In some places to cut the price down by 50% is normal and other places that would be considered an insult.

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