Haggling or bartering, one of the oldest forms of commerce, has been practised for thousands of years. Long before the advent of currency, people traded goods and services directly to meet their needs. Today, bartering remains prevalent in many cultures around the world, offering travellers a unique and enriching way to engage with locals and communities. But how do you avoid that awkward moment of realising you totally overpaid for a “magic carpet”?
Mistake 1: Not Understanding Cultural Etiquette
How to avoid it:
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Do Your Homework: Learn about the cultural norms and etiquette around bartering in the country you’re visiting. This can include appropriate language, gestures, and negotiation tactics. Check out our blog post Navigating the Nuances: A Guide to Bartering Practices Around the World.
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Be Respectful: Always approach bartering with respect and patience. A smile and a relaxed disposition go a long way. Try to learn some of the local language. Even if you’re terrible at it, vendors will appreciate your efforts, and it’s a good common ground to share a laugh.
How to Avoid It:
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Offer Fairly: Start with an offer that’s lower than the asking price but still within a reasonable range. A rule of thumb is to aim for 50% of the initial price, though this can vary depending on location and item/service.
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Be Polite: Understand the conversion rate from your home country to your travel destination. Often, you may be bartering over just 50 cents without realizing it because, due to inflation, the country you’re visiting may seem like the price is much higher. For example, 5000 Indonesian Rupiah sounds like a lot, but it’s only about 25 cents. For most tourists, 25 cents is loose change, but for locals, it can make a huge difference to their livelihoods.
How to Avoid It:
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Download Tengah: Tengah is the only travel app that ensures you always pay a fair price for bartered goods and services based on the average prices other travellers have paid before you. The app includes pictures and descriptions of the exact item/service you’re interested in within your surrounding location right down to a 1 km radius. It also shows your conversion to your home currency.
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Stay Neutral: Keep your excitement in check. Show casual interest in the item and be prepared to walk away if the vendor doesn’t meet your price.
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Stay Confident: If the vendor isn’t meeting your price, don’t be afraid to thank them and walk away. More often than not, they’ll call you back with a better offer.
