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Shopping In India: Four Quick And Easy Tips To Haggling For Better Prices

24-02-2009

If you love bargains and if you are keen about getting the most items for your money, try mastering the art of haggling. This activity is particularly useful when you are out there in the stretches of market stalls that sell wares for fluid prices. Contrary to what you think, this skill is not one limited to suave talkers. With a bit of your innocence and foreign charm, you too can practice this activity and leave the store with your purchase and a smile. Check out the following tips that can help you close a deal which you and your merchant can rightly call a “win-win” situation.

1. Thicken your face.

You do not have to take this literally and you certainly do not need to apply cosmetics to do so. By thickening your face, you must convince yourself that haggling is a norm in market-type of areas and should not cause you any embarrassment. Any tinge of embarrassment can lower your confidence. Your hesitation will be interpreted by merchants as a lack of conviction on your part.

2. Be nice.

Nothing can be more repulsive than a rough and bossy buyer. You'll be sure to win your merchant's approval with your admirable decorum. Ask respectfully if you can negotiate the price. If you are not getting what you hope to hear and can afford not to buy the product, then politely decline the merchant's offer and look elsewhere. A subtle and disinterested look sometimes works its magic.

3. Know what you want but act innocently.

Nothing can be more disarming than a child's innocent and curious questions. After you have done your research and price canvassing, shoot questions that allow the merchant to show off his wares and his knowledge of the products: ask about the make of the product, the origin and maintenance tips. If you act too sure of yourself and of what you know, the merchant might not care whether or not you buy his wares at all, and won't be too enthusiastic about haggling with you. Listen carefully to what he says because he might be dropping a figure that is close to what you are willing to spend on. Take things from there and remember rule number 2.

4. Set your standards.

If there are no price tags available and after the merchant has said his piece, directly tell him that you are working on a small specific budget. Most foreign buyers will make white lies that are surprisingly effective. For instance, mentioning about buying the item for a servant or a close family member is guaranteed to lower the asking price of merchants. Mentally tell yourself how much your maximum budget is. If you get the price that you bargain for, make sure you can afford the item and make sure you will get it. Doing otherwise will leave a bitter aftertaste in the seller's mouth. You can't blame him either; you've just wasted his time and saliva haggling over nothing.

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