How To Haggle With Street Vendors

Although it is rarely experienced by most Americans and western Europeans in their home lands, haggling can be a crucial part of purchasing commodities while traveling. In some parts of the world, paying outright without haggling can even be considered rude. For this reason, it is important to understand how to properly haggle with street vendors.

Get an Idea of What Similar Commodities Sell For

Never buy an item at the first place you stop. Instead, shop around and gauge how much certain novelties and treasures cost.

Don’t Make the First Move

A rookie mistake when haggling is to offer first. What the vendor hopes to earn is often lower than your impulse number

Don’t Look at the Price Tag

The number on the price tag (or what the vendor is willing to sell the item for) should never factor in on its personal worth to the buyer. Even if it seems like a good deal — haggling an item down to 50 percent of its original price, for example — it still might not be worth the price.

Buy in Bulk

If you see more than one item you like being sold by the same vendor express a subtle interest in this second item. He or she may be more apt to sell you each item at a lower price.