Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE ART OF HAGGLING
Government emporiums, fair-trade cooperatives, department stores and modern shopping centres almost always
charge fixed prices. Anywhere else you need to bargain. Shopkeepers in tourist hubs are accustomed to travellers
who have lots of money and little time to spend it, so you can often expect to be charged double or triple the go-
ing rate. Souvenir shops are generally the most notorious.
The first 'rule' to haggling is to never show too much interest in the item you've got your heart set upon. Se-
condly, resist purchasing the first thing that takes your fancy. Wander around several shops and price items, but
don't make it too obvious: if you return to the first shop, the vendor will know it's because they are the cheapest
(resulting in less haggling leeway).
Decide how much you would be happy paying, and then express a casual interest in buying. If you have abso-
lutely no idea of the going rate, a common approach is to start by slashing the price by half. The vendor will,
most likely, look utterly aghast, but you can now work up and down respectively in small increments until you
reach a mutually agreeable price. You'll find that many shopkeepers lower their so-called 'final price' if you head
out of the store saying you'll 'think about it'.
Haggling is a way of life in India and is usually taken in good spirit. It should never turn ugly. Always keep in
mind how much a rupee is worth in your home currency, and how much you'd pay for the item back home, to put
things in perspective. If a vendor seems to be charging an unreasonably high price, simply look elsewhere.
