How to bargain in different countries? Tips for travelers on shopping

Surprisingly, not everyone can bargain! This is a subtle and deep art, in which it is equally important to be able to communicate with the interlocutor, know the principles and scheme of trade, understand human psychology and have an idea of the rules of this "war".

There are two main tactics:

• Short Game

The point is to initially set a price, and then gradually reduce it. In this case, the amount spent for the goods will be approximately equal to what was named by the buyer at the very beginning of the bidding. In this case, it is important to be polite, friendly and smiling, but to remain persistent.

• Boost Game

This method is more aggressive. You offer a price several times lower than what the seller wants to get for his goods. The arguments can be different: you can put pressure on the fact that the product is bad, and you can take it only out of pity, or that the product is excellent, but you are tired or suffer from low wages. Option - the dictates of your beloved wife or hated mother-in-law brought you to the market. If there is no commodity, there will be no living.

It doesn't matter what strategy you choose – it's important not to rush! From market to market or even from trader to trader, prices can vary by an order of magnitude, and the quality is heterogeneous. This should also be remembered.

Now let's take a look at a few countries where bargaining is an important part of the national cultural code.

India

In this state, there is only one category of goods for which it is impossible to bargain - equipped with the price tag M.R.P. These goods are sold in large chain stores. Everything else can become the subject of bargaining completely freely, and a brave and decisive person who does not get into his pocket for a word can knock down 50, and even 90% of the original cost.

Of course, bargaining somewhere in the outback or in Goa is an unequal phenomenon: in the latter case, merchants spoiled by generous tourists are unlikely to demonstrate compliance and docility.

In Asia, it's important to take your time. Remember – if you need quick purchases, you should not even start bargaining. It's a sin not to spend an hour or two in an Indian bazaar (and that's at least). And remember: bargaining is a process: it is not so much the result that is important as the pleasure received during the bargaining. So even if things don't go the way you'd like them to, don't show it. Smile and be kind – next time it will definitely turn out better.

Jordan

Jordanian Arabs love to bargain, but are not particularly inclined to lower prices. A rare exception is taxi drivers and residents of remote areas, where for a pittance you can buy something interesting for yourself. But in the capital or the legendary Petra, you can not even count on a good bargain: the locals are too accustomed to enjoying the attention of tourists and are not inclined to give up without a fight.

It is important not to demonstrate that you liked the thing. Keep a bored expression on your face, indifferently inspect the shelves and tinker with the goods longer. And only after you study the entire range, as if "accidentally" find the product you like, but do not show that you need it. So, just a thing. Let it be. A what? What ten dollars? God willing, two, and then only out of respect for your grandfather!

Turkey

For the sake of interest, we note that in this country, records and drawings on paper banknotes are banned - a portrait of Ataturk, who founded the modern state, is placed on them. Not that he is sacralized or deified, no, but the Turks respect him, and encroaching on a beloved politician can be considered disrespectful to the authorities. The punishment for such a misdemeanor will be several months, or even years in prison.

It is also important to remember that many gestures in this country have a different meaning, and an innocent "okay" can be considered a cruel insult, because this is a hint that the interlocutor is a homosexual.

You can bargain in Turkey in small shops or in the market, while in catering establishments, chain stores and pharmacy kiosks prices are fixed. Local hucksters are guided by the outfit of the interlocutor: the richer, more fashionable and more solid he is, the smaller the discount will be and the higher the starting price.

In which other countries is bargaining appropriate?

Not everywhere bargaining is generally appropriate and compatible with national psychology and ethics. In some states and localities, the offer to bargain can become a hint of the low quality of the goods or become a reason for resentment.

But here is a small list of places where bargaining is possible and even desirable.

So, let's go!

• Egyptians are prone to bargaining and are ready to do it not only in market squares, but also in almost all shops and even catering establishments. The only thing is that it is better to trade in the local currency. Then there will be a risk to throw off more - up to half the cost;
• Thailand is a place where markets and small shops are equally suitable for bargaining. The secret is to be at the auction before others - the first buyers are traditionally given discounts;
• Turkey is a location where a brisk foreigner can achieve a 40-50% discount. The main thing is to know the places, not to try to get a discount in a hypermarket, pharmacy or chain "stores";
• The Greeks will willingly throw off a few tens of percent while they try to give you a fur coat. The only thing: you never need to bargain to the end and take the situation to the extreme, keep politeness;
• Hindus have the custom of publishing price tags with an overestimation of the cost at times. This is done with the expectation of a subsequent reduction. The exception is the price tags marked Maximum retail price - you can't write anything here, the fixed price is fixed in Africa;
• In the United Arab Emirates , you can bargain only in the markets, in the shops it will meet with misunderstanding. In addition, if a person does not want to bargain, insisting will be a very harmful idea.

Bargaining is an art

The bazaar in the East is one of the most important public places, an important attraction with its own regime, customs, rules and traditions, somewhat reminiscent of a theater. There are secrets that can be mastered only after many years of practice. Others are available even without a workout. We will give you some useful tips!

1. For example, you should not go to the bazaar as soon as you arrive in the city - otherwise you risk spending more than you expected. First, you should study the prices of local goods, fry a little in the local sun and look at experienced tourists to adopt (at least partially) their inherent habits.
2. Before you go to the auction, divide the available money into several portions and put it in different places, and the large ones should be placed in the least accessible - so that the random thief does not get it. In addition, the money needs to be exchanged - thereby you will show the seller that you really do not have much of it.
3. A merchant in the eastern bazaar is a professional psychologist even if he does not have a specialized diploma. He immediately finds out whether a person has an interest in purchasing and how much he can get for his goods, whether it is possible to attach something else to the pile. It should be understood that most often it is the seller, and not the buyer, who is the master of the situation.
4. No need to try to please the seller - this is an empty matter, completely devoid of meaning.
5. If you like something, take the time and look at other products, or better - look into the neighboring shops, ask other sellers about the price, practice bargaining: look, something will work out.
6. Merchants have a trick: immediately ask at what price the buyer is ready to buy the goods. So: you don't need to answer such a question directly. Cheat, cheat, dodge the answer - and everything will definitely work out for you.
7. As long as you have not named your price, you can leave the bidding. In this case, you are not bound by any obligations. Another thing is if the price has already been announced and the seller has given his consent to it; in this case, you will have to take.