Bargaining is an art in itself and can be an exciting part of the trip for some travellers. Bargaining is a ritual, especially when exploring vibrant local markets filled with handicrafts, spices, clothes, and souvenirs. While bargaining might be fun for some people, it is quite tricky as some bargaining tricks might appear rude or disrespectful in some places. One needs to know the right way to bargain so that they do not hurt the sentiments of another person.Let’s take a look at some tips:Research prices in advance
Before entering a market, one should know the rough estimates. Look online, consult locals, or check prices from stall to stall. Being prepared prevents one from making extreme offers while also being respectful to the vendors.Start with a respectful, lower offerOne should start bargaining by quoting a price lower than they are willing to pay, but it should be reasonable and not too low. This allows space for negotiation without offending the other person with a very low quoting of the price. Starting too low can be taken as disrespectful, so aim for a fair but assertive starting point.Be polite, friendly, and smile
A tip that would work wonders is the purchaser shouldn’t be rude and should talk to the vendors with a warm smile, polite greetings, and light-hearted conversation. Sellers value friendly interaction, and this positive tone often makes them more willing to offer discounts.Show genuine interest but don’t appear desperateLook at the items closely and ask questions as well to appear interested, but one should remain calm and confident. Do not appear desperate to buy a certain item as this reduces the negotiation space and gives an upper hand to the seller. Balance curiosity with detachment, so the seller knows you have options.Respect non-verbal cues and boundaries
If a vendor seems uncomfortable or not pleased with what one is willing to pay, don’t push further and take a step back. Pay close attention to the body language of vendors to prevent offense.Bundle items for better discountsBundle up a lot of items together to buy, as it would bring the purchaser a better deal. The seller would also be happy to sell more items and would lower the prices accordingly. A person can politely ask if they will lower the prices now that the items are more.Be patient and willing to walk away
One should remember that they have a lot of options too. Patience is important to negotiate easily and effectively. If the vendor is not ready to lower the price, leave calmly as they often call back with better offers when they see that the customer is willing to walk away.Learn basic local language phrasesWhile visiting a foreign country, learn local phrases for better communication. Using simple words like “Hello,” “How much?” and “Thank you” in the local language shows respect and effort, which leads to the vendor also showing more willingness to negotiate.Use polite, open-ended questions
Ask questions like “What’s the best price they will offer?” or “Will I get a discount if I buy more items?” This will help sellers in making better offers and then the negotiation also becomes easier. These kinds of questions also show respect for the seller’s judgement.
