Comments on: How hard can it be to haggle?

By: Bob R

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:11:52 +0000

I’m not much of a shopper and not much of a haggler, either. But as I’ll be spending about 10 days in and around Marakech in September, I suppose I’ll have to give both a try. 🙂 By the way I like the ‘day is done’ images the best.

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By: Travelling Book Junkie

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 22:55:05 +0000

In reply to Curt Mekemson.

That sounds like a fascinating experience.

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By: Curt Mekemson

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:47:16 +0000

In reply to Travelling Book Junkie.

There were a few times in Liberia when I just haggled enough to be proper and I never haggled over food/basic necessities. Liberians barely got by. I haggled more when the Mandingo traders would come by our house with a gunny sack full of artifacts. They’d dump out the contents on our floor and away we’d go. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, our income was similar. 🙂 –Curt

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By: Travelling Book Junkie

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:49:41 +0000

In reply to Curt Mekemson.

When travelling I have never bargained for a car, I normally search the Internet looking for a price I am happy to pay. At home, if I am looking to buy a new car, I do tend to barter over the price a little. I think it is almost expected here though. Most people add ono (or nearest offer) after the price so I think everyone exploits that and adds to the price to begin with. Same with house prices I would always go in with a lower offer so I suppose the skills are very similar. Maybe it was the environment in Marrakech – I knew I was getting a good deal and in reality it was cheap so I didn’t mind. Even if the locals would have paid even less for it. Is there anything you have struggled with when trying to negotiate on price? 🙂

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By: Curt Mekemson

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:03:34 +0000

In reply to Travelling Book Junkie.

Well thought out, thanks. And I get the third world concern. I do believe in supporting the local economy… and recognize the need. Part of my experience in bargaining is that many of the locals expect you to and double the price. You end up getting a “bargain” and they end up making a profit. Everyone is happy.:) Exploitation is something else. Ugly.

BTW… have you ever bargained for a car? –Curt

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By: Travelling Book Junkie

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 13:09:37 +0000

In reply to Curt Mekemson.

I think some things are always more emotive than others, and the price of petrol is definitely one of them. I agree I would never want someone to feel that they have been taken advantage of but for the most part, when in Marrakech, we are haggling for handmade goods and the difference in price is pence. For us, this may seem like a small win, but for them, individuals that earn nothing near the wage of an American or European, that could mean considerable more. Yes, you could argue that tourists go in daily and they probably earn a fortune from them, but that may be just the main stalls close to the squares…what about the ones in the heart of the souks that some of us wander around in the hope that we will get lost and mingle with the locals. Chances are we start the haggling process off at half the price the we would have done had we have been closer to the tourist routes anyway. For me, the price wasn’t necessarily as important as having a go. I knew what I was prepared to pay and I think if I am truthful I still got my goodies a great deal cheaper than many of our ‘tourist’ counterparts! 🙂

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By: Curt Mekemson

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:41:40 +0000

I’ve done a haggling/negotiating in my life… and never been too shy about it. Prices fluctuate widely. When the cruise ship is in, they skyrocket, for example. There is nothing like a rich tourist to make your day or possibly your week. And there is almost always a local’s price and an outsider’s price. The goal is to get closer to what a local would pay for the same item. Here’s a close example that isn’t bargaining. You drive down a freeway and stop for gas at the gas station on the intersection. Let’s say you pay $3.75 per gallon. Drive half mile into town and the gas is $3.40. Are you contributing to the local economy by buying the $3.75 or being taken advantage of? –Curt

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By: Travelling Book Junkie

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:28:33 +0000

In reply to tesorotreasures.

I know exactly what you mean. As soon as they see me starting to cave in they know they have me…and it doesn’t take long! 🙂

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By: tesorotreasures

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 22:14:19 +0000

I think the trick is acting like you don’t really care. But sometimes that’s so hard because I get so excited when I see something I like that I can’t contain my excitement – and they know they have me! I’m toast at that point!

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By: Travelling Book Junkie

Sun, 16 Mar 2014 14:21:13 +0000

It is something I can say I have experienced but will not be something I do on a regular basis. Going to the fixed priced shops was a less stressful experience for me 🙂

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