Yes, prices in the Western and European World might be constant but in other parts of the world, they are not and products that come with outrageous prices are usually not so expensive. Sellers simply inflate the prices to rip naive people off their dollars. This is why bargaining skills are necessary. It is an important travel skill that ensures travelers get the best deals and save some extra dollars.

Bargaining is even more useful when in a completely unfamiliar location. Locals have this ability to spot travelers from a distance so it is almost certain that they already know the naive traveler is not familiar with the local prices. But while they plan on how to inflate the prices, travelers who have bargaining skills will take them by surprise.

Presentation And Approach

The first step to a good bargain is a good approach as it opens the way to good communication and hopefully - a satisfying transaction.

Approach With A Smile

Remember it's not an open confrontation between two countries over who gets the extra land on the border, it's just a simple bargain with a local. Approach the sellers with a warm smile. It gets everyone relaxed and will soften the seller’s heart a little bit.

Try To Say A Word In The Local Language Or Simply Greet With The Cultural Gesture

A stronger connection is instantly built if travelers can communicate in the local language. Just some simple phrases are enough to do the trick. A greeting gesture ( is another thing to add to the approach tactic. In a country such as India, the namaste greeting will go a long way in easing that tension for the bargain to begin.

Related: Check Out These Interesting Greeting Gestures Around The World

Beginning The Bargain

There are rules to be followed carefully to get the best deals and they don't need to be followed simultaneously but just remember not to forget them.

Always Start Bargaining From Far Lesser Than The Proposed Price

Some sellers are so greedy, they could start the selling price from more than double the actual price of the product especially when the traveler is dressed prestigiously and looking wealthy like Elon Musk. This is where this rule number is to be used. Travelers can begin their bargaining price from half or a little more than half the seller’s proposed price. It puts both the buyer and seller on uneasy spots so the game can begin from there. Sellers instantly lose more than half their bargaining power when buyers do this. It takes them by surprise and is even more crushing when it comes from a traveler they thought was naive. If done right, it is almost certain that the selling price will reduce. This also gives more room for the traveler to gradually increase the price until both parties arrive at an agreed price.

Stand By Your Price

Many vendors have persuasion skills and are experienced in convincing buyers. They know what to say to make the product seem more appealing. They may even claim that the priced product cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Travelers should not let this get to them. In most cases, there is another vendor a few meters nearby, selling the same thing.

When There's No Sign Of An Agreement, Prepare To Leave

Sellers often do not want to lose potential customers so they will almost certainly call them back and give a better offer. To make this work, it has to be done correctly. Travelers have to make it seem like they are actually leaving and sometimes they can leave in the case when the seller fails to call them back. It’s called trying out better options.

Explore More Than One Seller

Not all vendors are looking to extort money from unsuspecting tourists and exploring two or more vendors is the best way to get the actual market price of the product. Some will choose to sell at a price much lower than the proposed price of the previous vendor. Note that the prices from different sellers may not be the same but they will surely be within a certain price range which usually is the actual market price of the product.

Notice When The Seller Is Uncomfortable

Humans display some signals when uneasy or not satisfied with things they hear or see and the ability to read these behaviors in humans is golden. It is easy to spot when travelers have hit below the actual price of the product. The sellers may get anxious, uneasy, or even upset. The most common signal sellers display is a strong disagreement and loss of interest in the bargain when they don’t agree with the price. In order not to upset the seller and to keep the conversation going, this is the time to start increasing your bid to let the other person (the seller) know that you’re still interested in the product.

Completing The Bargain And Making Payment

The game eventually needs to come to an end and these tips will leave both parties smiling after the transaction is complete.

Agree On A Price And Stand By It

After the back and forth conversation, travelers can then arrive at the price they can afford. Once this is done, there is no going back. Travelers should make sure they stand by their word once they give it. Going back after agreeing with the seller on a price is disrespectful.

Do Not Bring Out Money Until The Bargain Is C0mplete

Remember that sellers size travelers before giving prices and the bargain will only become harder if the seller sees a bunch of dollars in the possession of the buyer. Money should only be seen when it is time to make payment.

Related: Here's What $10 USD Will Get You In The Most Popular Cities

Leave In A Friendly Manner

Some bargains lead to completed transactions while others do not but in any case, ensure to leave in a friendly manner. It is heartbreaking for sellers to see a customer leave to a different seller without purchasing their commodity but this feeling can be eased by leaving in a good manner. It's just a bargain and a disagreement on price should not cause any traveler to downgrade the product and leave the vendor disrespectfully.

Be Considerate

Bargaining is important but not necessary in some situations. Some sellers don’t deserve it. It might be the ticket to their next poor meal so it is up to travelers to show consideration in such cases.

Leave A Tip

Once it is clear that the deal was good, leave a tip to appreciate the seller. It makes the seller happy and even makes the customer happier.

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