Haggling: how low do you go? Blog & Poll discussion

MoneySavingSapphire_:D

Although, depending on the country, if you start at too low a price they realise you have no idea what you're talking about and don't take your haggling seriously. I found this out in Istanbul a few times when I tried to demonstrate to the seller just how much I couldn't afford their item by telling them how money I had on me ("I've only got 10ytl, I really can't afford any more" type thing), by which they thought I was making an offer for that amount and I got laughed at!! :shocked: :rolleyes: Oh dear...

chris-richardson_2

Ive just got back from Turkey where the missus saw 2 handbags that she really wanted and they were really good leather. The guy wanted £150 for each one and we ended up paying £70 for both and im still convinced we could have got them for less.

We found the best way to haggle was to start really low so that you can edge up to the price you are actually willing to pay. If you start at what you want to pay you wont have much chance of getting the item at that price.

the_gardener_2

reliably told in morroco offer 10 never pay more than 50

GileZ

I went to Dubai recently, and was told by someone living and working out there never to pay more than 60% for anything. This is because they start off high anyway, so you can quickly barter them down to about 80%, but if you tell them you're leaving and that you don't want it they will often come down to your amount.

Unhban

I travel a lot through North Africa and would start at £10. Don't be frightened you're being rude, they're used to it from the locals! Even at £10 they'd be making a profit. When they see a tourist/foreign traveller they see dollar signs in your eyes, remember that, and that they will put the price automatically sky high. Also, I walk away after haggling and getting nowhere, and that always brings the price down.

I've even done it in London in a shop run by Muslims near Leicester Square. I said I wanted the bobble hat with Manchester United on it for a friend in North Africa who'd go nuts for it. The story was true incidentally, but they let me have it for a third of the price. I left the shop almost as friends with them

Enjoy haggling - it's a game!

The motto is : eveyone should make a little bit of profit, but not too much!

alistairgreen

I disagree with Martin that your opening bid should be a bit less than you are willing to pay. I've travelled a fair bit and you always haggle upwards never downwards. Therefore it makes sense to start as low as possible and work upward then you and the trader should meet in the middle. If you get the response "with that offer you are offending my honour" or a look of shock then you have started low enough.

Forgetful

In China every time I go I like to get a few handbags.
They always start off with a ott amount but I always cut it down by 80% and then after much haggling I usually about 25% of the opening price!!!!!!!!

Slapps

I don't go aboard much these days but i still haggle. best deal far was for my 2 sofa's (BRAND NEW) that were marked up @ £600 and i got them down to £360. i feel no matter where you are it's always worth ago (don't ask, don't get) but i always set myself a limit of what i'm willing to pay and never go above it.

josephwilliam

I spent 2 years in India and would always start between 1/5 and 1/4 of the first price. Don't worry about offending people, it's normal and just business in most countries.

harryhound

If you do manage to spot something (unlikely?) that represents real good value to you and you want more than one (a present for yourself and someone else;)) then haggle down towards your price, then trot out the idea
that you will buy more than one.