Body:
In most developed western countries the advertised price is usually the final price. Take that attitude to some other countries, and you will end up paying far too much. Bargaining on price is often a prerequisite to achieving a fair price. A few important tips will assist in the process. While you may not be able to bargain on travel insurance , it will protect you for other certain unfamiliar circumstances on holiday.
Be Sure You Are Interested in The Product
Markets and stalls run by street vendors are two locations overseas where bargaining is commonly expected, particularly if no prices are listed. Visitors can often be lured into negotiations for goods or services even without a particular interest in the product on offer. If one shows too much interest on price, with no intention of buying, it can sometimes be difficult to extricate oneself from the situation.
It is therefore advisable not to show too much interest in a product unless there is some desire to purchase the product (at the right price). Negotiating prices with absolutely no intention to buy may be a good way to hone one’s bargaining skills, but it may leave your hosts with a sour taste in their mouths.
Decide On the Maximum You’re Prepared to Pay
Upon seeing a product of interest, decide on a price you might be willing to pay before entering into price negotiations. Negotiating is a vendor’s bread and butter, so don’t be surprised to be given all sorts of reasons as to why you should pay more. Sticking firm to not pay more than a price you are happy with will mean avoiding a situation where one walks away with feelings of disappointment for having paid too much.
This does not mean one should start negotiating at the price one is happy to pay, but rather setting a limit, so that rises in price during negotiations do not get out of hand.
Be Prepared to Walk Away
Sometimes it’s necessary to leave a negotiation and walk away. If one reaches an impasse where the seller is not prepared to reduce his price, and the potential customer is not willing to pay more, then someone may end up unhappy by caving in. Walking away is often a good guide to establish whether the vendor is bluffing or not. One will often find prices drop suddenly as a potential customer (and a potential sale) is walking away.
Compare Prices
By walking away from one vendor, one should have a good idea of that vendor’s final price range. Repeating the process with another vendor selling the same or similar product should then give a decent idea about what a fair price is.
Keep it Friendly
Maintaining civility while negotiating is very important. Bargaining is a game, and not meant to offend. While some vendors may choose to start price negotiations at ridiculously high levels, take this as a good challenge to one’s ever improving bargaining skills, rather than get hot under the collar. One needs to keep in mind that people’s livelihoods are at stake, and that if one pays a little too much, the price may still be cheap compared to home, whilst also helping the vendor feed his or her family.
Bargaining for goods can be a fun way for buyers and sellers to be friendly adversaries. Being cautious not to pay too much is important, but so is maintaining good relations as a guest in a foreign country. Be prepared to stand your ground, but avoid being aggressive. While one doesn’t need to negotiate over cheap travel insurance the available savings may be equally rewarding.
Related posts:
Fri, Sep 17, 2010
Destinations, Travel Bloggers