Stories of Bargaining in Asia

Most of you have your own stories of bargaining in Asia. I bet you, your experiences range from outrageously funny to totally humiliating.

I would love to hear those stories and maybe, to prod you a bit, here are some of the few experiences in bargaining we've had in the past few decades.

Bargaining in Asia. Source: aesta1

Bargaining in Karachi

Once in a market in Karachi, a small boy with a mountain of t-shirts staggered up begging us to buy.

My husband puffed up to his full stature and with a stern eye and a voice of utmost authority instructed the lad that he would buy one shirt but would only pay 70 rupees thus demonstrating his mastery of t-shirt prices in the market that day.

The lad picked up from beneath his tent of Ts and with a trembling voice said, But Sir, this t-shirt is only 50 rupees.

A quick peek around the market to discover the breadth of the humiliation revealed a world in tears of laughter. All we could do is laugh as well.

Seller in Asia. Source: aesta

Bargaining for Pashmina Scarves in Nepal

In yet another store, quite probably in Nepal we had spread out a range of Pashmina scarves. Each of us has our own stash of favourites. Simultaneously, we each declared our opening price in the negotiation and there was a chasm between the two declarations.

The seller responded to each of us. Realizing our error, we began negotiating with ourselves. The three of us arrived at a range of agreements that so confused the seller he forgot his real cost.

Pleased with our deal although irritated a bit with each other, we strutted off further into Thamel to do further battle. At the end of further blistering session, we went to the car and there was the seller of the scarves with the bleak look on his collapsed face. In his hand was our stack of bills and he gave us his pathetic story.

In the confusion, the price we agreed to was much lower than his Boss had paid for the scarves in the first place. It was clear that if we push our triumph, it will cost him his job. so we returned the scarves, took the money and reflected on the lesson of multiple but simultaneous negotiation.

Indonesia. source: aesta1

Seller Refused to Bargain

In Indonesia, a colleague brought us to a store owned by his friend promising us a fair deal. The store owner realizing his trap between offending his friend or losing money on any sale refused to discus any transaction with us.

The Art of Bargaining in Jordan

In Jordan, we joined a friend who knew the country well. We wanted some older solder framed mirrors that had front closing doors like a diptych. We found our target and entered a long discussion on its merits, its beauty, its provenance and its age.

Our friend asked that it be polished so that we could view its full loveliness before setting a fair price. We put forward our opening position which was countered by the merchant noting that now that the mirror was polished, it clearly was worth much more. After cups of tea, speculations on the meaning of life, statements on the future of humanity, we approached a compromise price.

Our friend's neighbour had been off to another store and negotiating in Arabic with the gentleness of a camel bound warrior including threats and implied curses on the seller's relatives, she , too, arrived at a price. Our price undercut hers by about half. The lesson learned: patience, show interest, develop a relationship if you can and not only will you get a better deal but you'll have a story to tell that's worth infinitely more than the wretched mirror you're looking for.

Bargaining in Phnom Penh. Source: aesta1

Bargaining in Asia Protocols

Other than common courtesy, politeness and an unhurried sense of consideration, it's difficult to generalize on the skills required from one Asian market to another.

Different Asian markets have different protocols. Thailand, for example, if you show irritation and raise your voice, sellers may not sell to you. They expect politeness and don’t want trouble. If you are soft spoken and deal with them gently, they often will give you a better price.

In Vietnam, I noticed my local friends first remark on some negative things about the goods. It seems to give them a better bargaining position.

Before going to a market, go to a fixed price store and chaco the prices of your target purchases. When you move to the market, you'll be ready to negotiate. Be patient. Don't turn and threaten to walk away if they don't agree immediately. Ask them for a better price than their first offer. Treat them with respect.

Bargaining in a Cambodian Market. Source: aesta1

For some, bargaining is fun and relaxing and a great experience worth more than the item purchased. For others, it's an exhausting experience which is best avoided.

As an example, as a result of hard bargaining and extensive negotiation I have sometimes saved as much as five cents. It just wasn't worth it. If it's the game of bargaining, then it's fun. If it's the hard work of getting things for a few cents less, for me, it's a waste of time.

There are also times when I have seen something I really wanted, was unable to come up with a price, and for the sake of two or three dollars, walked away from what I wanted in a fit of pride. I suppose, we all have to deal with our own selves as we cope with the intricacies of cultures and persons.

I don't know about you but each time I go to the market, I learn or relearn something about prices but also about myself.

If you want to take a lesson in bargaining, watch American Pickers. Mike and Frank have a great negotiating style which builds on the dignity of the seller while leading to good agreements on bargain prices.

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