By Kathleen Crislip
Bargaining and haggling while shopping are not ventures that come naturally to US citizens -- we go to the store, we look at the prices, we buy if we know the price is right and we want the thing. The more daring may ask a salesperson if there's a better deal to be had, but for the most part, we're trained to assume the marked price is probably the price unless shopping for certain big ticket items.
Not so in much international shopping. In international markets and bazaars, prices often aren't marked to begin with, or may just be a starting point for a conversation with the seller in which the seller will try to get the most money possible (of course) for his wares, and you may just be trying to buy the thing, period.
Yeah, not so fast, amigo.
Shopping for souvenirs, like pottery in Mexico or didgeridoos in Australia, operates on the same principle that shopping at home does -- you find what you like, you find the best price. The kicker, though, is that you can have some real fun doing it while you meet some local folks and get a lesson in bargaining and courtesy. Sometimes, that means a transaction of much lengthier duration than you may be used to.
Get a few tips from some veteran shoppers, and have some fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment