Luang Prabang, Laos
Everything is negotiable. How many times have you heard that? The rough rule of thumb in Asia is:
* If an article is for sale at a roadside stall, outdoor market or small shop, the price is negotiable. There usually are no price tags on the items.
* If an article is for sale in an air-conditioned shop or shopping mall, with the prices displayed, the “fixed-price” law will take effect…..maybe. Sometimes you might be offered a “special price”.
If you have never bargained before, the first time can be a little intimidating. Like anything else, once you get used to it, it can become a fun experience and a simple way to connect with the local people.
First Things First
Just relax, smile, and ask the price. Never accept the first price. I usually make a funny face and pass a friendly comment about how expensive the item is.
Now, if you are interested in purchasing the item, it’s your turn to make a counter offer. Forget about how the price compares to what you might pay back home. That kind of thinking isn’t really valid, especially since you already paid a lot of money to the airlines to get where you are.
If you are serious about purchasing the item, you might want to offer 50% of the asking price and wait for the next offer. From then on it gets interesting because the merchant now knows you are a serious buyer.
Close The Deal
It’s OK to walk away from a purchase if the merchant doesn’t meet your price. His or her feelings won’t be hurt. If it’s an expensive item and you want to be sure of the current market price, you will soon get a good idea after talking to 2 or 3 merchants.
However, don’t even think about walking away if the merchant accepts the price you asked for. That would destroy all the goodwill you had built up during the bargaining process.
Many people continue the bargaining by cutting the merchants counter offer by 50% at a time:
If the seller asks for $40.
The buyer offers $20.
The seller asks for $30.
The buyer offers $15.
Etc.
If you want to buy more than one of the same item, it might be good idea not to mention it until after you have arrived at an acceptable unit price. Once you are satisfied with the price, this is a good time to ask for an additional discount for multiple purchases.
Bottom Line
Keep a smile on your face, relax, and enjoy the experience. Bargaining in Asia is like the weather in New England. If you don’t like the price offered, wait a few minutes. It will probably change.
We will be offering additional bargaining tips in future postings. So, please stay tuned.
