Shopping success on It all depends on how well you know how to bargain. And this is a kind of art that has been developing for centuries … Fortunately, now in order to lower the price of a product you like, you do not have to learn a foreign language at all, you just need to remember a few simple rules of conversation with the seller.
Egypt
In Egypt, you can bargain even in large stores. Do not be afraid to leave the store: often the seller catches up with the buyer, even if he has already gone quite far. Do not go to the shops offered by guides or helpers — there you risk paying too much, because the price of the product includes a percentage of the “assistant”. And be sure to specify which pound the seller means: Egyptian or … English.
Do you think that only misers bargain? In Asia or Africa, you will not be called greedy, on the contrary, those who do not try to reduce the price will be considered fools here. Think of bargaining not as a tedious action, but as an exciting game, theatrical performance, business negotiation training or a kind of competition between the seller and the buyer.
Turkey
Supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants are the territory of fixed prices. But in small shops, sellers are usually ready to give in. Don’t be surprised if you are treated to tea and sweets in the process. But, alas, in resorts it is sometimes possible to reduce the price by a maximum of 30 percent. Local merchants are good appraisers, they easily calculate the cost of your wardrobe. Therefore, when going shopping, it is better to leave fashionable clothes, expensive watches and shoes in the room.
Shopping Rules
Usually, you can bargain in Asia not only in the markets, but also in many stores, and it does not matter what you are going to buy: clothes, gold or a TV. Even if the price tags have the cost written on them, it is often just a guideline for starting a conversation. But avoid popular tourist spots, where sellers do not waste time bidding. They know that the visiting rich will buy their goods anyway. It is better to go away from the sights, to places where bored shopkeepers agree to bargain almost to zero, just to have a little fun.
India
Fixed prices in this country are inherent only in goods marked with the M.R.P. price tag, which are sold in supermarkets and some stores, and the price of other things can always be negotiated. The cost can often be reduced even 10 times. And do not forget that the price of housing in a guesthouse is also not final. The most unsuccessful region for trading is Goa, where the most intractable traders work.
Shopping Rules
Take your time! Asian shopping is not done on the run. If you really liked something, be prepared that you will have to spend at least half an hour in the store, be patient. Try to enjoy the process: be friendly, friendly, but stand firm on your own.
China
You can easily knock down the price of penny souvenirs, but that’s not what you came for! Before trading in China, practice on more “soft-bodied” sellers from other countries. Going to Celestial Empire, stock up on valerian: you will need iron nerves and titanium endurance. But it’s worth it: for the same jacket or a technical novelty in Moscow, you will pay 10, or even 15 times more.
Shopping Rules
If you plan to buy a large expensive item in order not to get into trouble, make inquiries in advance: chat on Internet forums, talk to local people (even with hotel employees) and find out how much it can cost.
UAE
Nowadays, the Emirates have largely lost the former flavor of the huge Arab bazaar. You can’t bargain everywhere: fixed prices have been introduced in taxis, shopping malls, and restaurants. In the markets — clothing, gold — they will depict a semblance of bargaining, but not for long: after a couple of exclamations you will receive a 20-30% discount, and most likely the price will remain unchanged.
Shopping Rules
Do not bargain long and persistently if you are not going to buy the product in the end. It is indecent to waste someone else’s time, and why waste your own.
Thailand
You should not count on large discounts: you can assume that the auction was a success if the seller reduced the initial price by 30-40%. In this country, you can bargain everywhere, from tuk-tuks to massage parlors, with the exception of large shopping malls with boutiques of popular fashion companies. Shops at large jewelry and textile factories can also disappoint with fixed prices.
Shopping Rules
Do not hesitate if you do not know either the local dialect or English. Many reactions are understandable without words, and bargaining often takes place using a calculator. Did the seller write the first price? Feel free to reduce it 5-7 times! If you see a figure that is too big, do not run away — your opponent has not gone crazy, he is just observing etiquette. Your next steps depend on how much the merchant reduces the cost. Move in approximately the same steps. On average, you should reduce the price by about half.
Jordan
You can bargain, but you will not be able to reduce the price much. The exception is taxis, their drivers often call absolutely exorbitant prices. However, even in resort towns there are still remote areas where good goods can be bought literally for pennies. It will not be possible to significantly reduce the price in Petra, because the local Bedouins, although they look like poor ragamuffins, are spoiled by crowds of tourists.
Shopping Rules
Do not show the seller that you like some thing and you have come to buy it. It is better to go into the store with a bored expression on your face, run your eyes over the shelves and, as if by chance, notice the necessary item. Pretend that you don’t need it at all, but, so be it, you’ll buy it for fun.
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, you can bargain in the markets and save about 30% of the cost of the goods. It is necessary to negotiate the fare in a taxi. In popular resorts, the fare can be unpleasant to hit, but it’s worth a walk to the highway, and you can get to the place 5 times cheaper.
Shopping Rules
When considering a thing, look for flaws, even imaginary ones, and point them out to the seller, eloquently shaking his head and clicking his tongue. It is not even necessary to say something: the merchant will immediately name a new price. You can scold the product, but you should never insult the seller himself.
Greece
The Greeks are benevolent, they do not like to work, but they are always ready to chat with a customer who looks at the light, especially if he turns out to be a pretty girl. Therefore, the key to success in this country is not arrogance, as in Asia, but a heart-to-heart conversation with the seller. Let him know that you are from Russia, remember the common religion, compliment Greece, its cuisine and him personally, and the price will melt before our eyes.
Shopping Rules
If you decide that the seller will no longer lower the price, arrange for him to check — shake your head in disappointment, express regret that you cannot purchase an item for such a price, and start moving towards the exit. If you have already found yourself on the street and closed the door behind you, but the merchant did not flinch — most likely, you will not be able to lower the price anymore.
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