Bargaining 101 – 6 Easy Tips for the Perfect Bargain

Everyone loves to get a great bargain, and I am no exception. Traveling to cities in Ghana, countries in Asia, and islands across the Caribbean, has led me to some of the busiest markets in the world. These markets contain local art, clothes, and jewelry, that lure in tourists to find the perfect souvenirs. However, local vendors often inflate prices to these naive visitors, making bargaining an expectation. From my many experiences (and extreme-bargaining mother), I have mastered the perfect bargaining techniques. These easy tricks have saved me hundreds of dollars, so I am excited to share them to help you save even more!

Tip 1 – Go at the beginning or end of the day
Vendors are typically anxious to make their first sale in the morning or eager to make a sale at the end of the day. With this in mind, they will be the most flexible to negotiate when their shop first opens or when it is closing. However, if you go mid-day or at a peak time, it is best to head to a vendor that is getting less foot-traffic because this seller may be more accommodating with pricing if their sales are slow. 

Tip 2 – Don’t buy at the first place you see
Take your time and venture around the market to gauge how much other vendors are selling your favorite items for. When you have a good sense of the price, head to your favorite seller to make your purchase. 

Tip 3 – Start lower than you hope to end
When you are ready to make your purchase, offer a price that is lower than you are willing to pay. Always leave a buffer for going back and forth. For example, if you see a hat that you want for $10, but the seller offers an initial price of $15, start bartering at $7, knowing there will be room to go back up. Some people recommend cutting the first offer price in half and then working up from there. 

Tip 4 – Mention how much you like the item
It is important to make the seller feel appreciated and show them how much you like the souvenir. They will be more likely to give you a good price if you are an enthusiast and polite buyer. 

Tip 5 – Walk away as a last resort
My last option, if I’m not getting a reasonable price, is to walk away. This is smart because if they really want the sale they will come after you with their best price. I’ve had locals in Bali, Indonesia, come back and offer me the price I’ve originally wanted once I walked away.

Tip 6 – Pay in the local currency
Finally, when it comes to the payment, make sure you pay in the local currency. You should always carry small bills so you can pay the exact amount for the item. Sometimes you can bargain by saying, “This is all the money I have with me.” Also, you will receive the fairest price if you pay in the local currency because the vendor will not have to eventually convert the currency. As an example, when I studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary, the souvenirs were often priced in the Euro and Forint (Hungarian local currency). While most vendors accepted both currencies, paying with thee Hungarian Forint always gave me a better rate.

My Favorite Bargaining Example

My favorite sunhat and bag in this picture both came through a successful bargain in Bali, Indonesia. I got these for around 5 USD (in Rupiah) when the sellers originally offered me a price that was almost three times more. Bargaining is very common in Indonesia and practically an expectation.

I cannot stress enough – bargain for everything wherever possible. I’ve bargained for souvenirs, street food, taxis, tours, activities, and more. However, don’t offer an insulting price. Have good intentions and locals will be more likely to give you a reasonable price. Below are a few examples of pieces I’ve found through bargaining (hat, pants, fanny pack, barrette, and sarong).

Do you have favorite souvenirs that you got from a successful bargain? Comment a few examples of tricks you used!