How to be a Better Haggler

Everyone wants a better deal for less … it’s in our blood to haggle, barter and negotiate. In some cases, haggling is not possible (large retail stores, for example), but in other situations, it is expected and encouraged. If you travel abroad and visit local bazaars and makeshift stores, you might feel compelled to haggle on many of the unique wares for sale. Vendors vying for your American dollars will go back and forth hoping to seal the deal, even if it means reducing their price a bit, and who doesn’t love a good bargain?

If you feel out of your element when it comes to haggling, here are a few tips to help boost your negotiating skills:

Establish a bond with the seller — be friendly! Ask for their name and a little about their item — people love to talk about themselves. This will help pave the way for a potential negotiation.

Don’t be in a rush and don’t mention price right away — if they sense you are in a hurry, they’ll assume you don’t have time to barter for a better price, leaving them with the upper hand.

Begin at a very low price point — that way you can progress to a more reasonable amount you can afford, leaving everyone feeling happy.

If negotiations stall, tell them you have to come back — the seller may feel they have you where they want you, and they won’t want to lose your business.

Above all, have fun — this isn’t rocket science. Worst case scenario, you’ll end up leaving empty-handed despite your strategic haggling. If that happens, you’ll be sure to do better the next time, and there will always be a next time.