Stretching Your Dollar: How to Haggle, Barter, and Negotiate Your Way to Savings While Traveling

Understanding the Art of Haggling – Stretching Your Dollar

Negotiation is a familiar way of buying things in numerous countries all over the world, this is also can turn into a good opportunity to have a proper and cheap purchasing during a travelling. Of course, this is not a suitable strategy before deciding to bargain, or better yet, is advisable to familiarize yourself with the area’s culture. In certain societies bargaining is the norm while in others it is taboo, or incorrect in one way or the other.

When to Haggle

Bargaining is popular where the product is sold by individuals, in the bazaars, shops, and other establishments. It is rarer in department stores and stores in the chains. Still one must wonder if one could haggle the price, especially more so if one is purchasing several items at once or staying put for a longer duration.

Cultural Considerations

Bargaining is differentially practiced depending on many factors including the culture of the specific region. Some countries will consider bargaining to be fun as they play the bargaining game, while in other countries bargaining will be viewed as rude. This is why it is always wise to conduct a research on the acceptable bargaining etiquette in the given region.

Starting Price

The knowledge of the starting point is vital especially when bargaining for the price. Before you begin bargaining, find out the average price of the things that you wish to buy. This will make it easy for you to set a right price so that you do not have to be companied by a rip off price.

Haggling Strategies – Stretching Your Dollar

Offer a Lower Price

After you have figured out the beginning point offer, counter with a lower bid. Begin by placing your bid way below the amount that has been listed by the owners of the online properties. This way you are left with an opportunity to bargain and ensure that both of you agree on the price tag.

Counteroffers

In return the seller may reply with a higher price probably due to the fact that his profit has been badly eaten up. Be ready to negotiate an alternate deal to the offer they present; this should be your counter offer. Go on bargaining haggle for as many times as possible until you get a per unit price that both of you agree.

Walking Away

What we have seen is that when it comes to the negotiating of the prices, you do not have to accept anything that you do not agree with. At other times the seller may be willing to go further and negotiate especially if he or she feels they may lose a client.

Bartering for Goods and Services – Stretching Your Dollar

Another traditional strategy that is applicable when traveling is bartering, which helps one to cut on expenses. One can be allowed to offer products, instead of money to buy what they want/need in the market system.

Common Items to Barter

Some common items that can be used for bartering include:Some common items that can be used for bartering include:

• Souvenirs: It is possible to guilt people into offering you services by bringing things from your home country or propose that you exchange the trinkets for goods.
• Skills: Such desires could be photographed, translated, where one can be hired to take photo or be hired to translate, in exchange for some good or service.
• Food: If you want your host or some of the locals to do a favor for you or accommodate you, as their guest, try to cook something for them to eat.

Bartering Etiquette

As with most negotiations, there are cultural and professional standards for interacting with the counter party: always be polite. Do not use an imperative and assertive tone in communications. Come up with an offer that you would wish to make in exchange for what you want and be ready to settle for less.

Negotiating for Accommodations and Transportation – Stretching Your Dollar

To name a few, bargaining is a common practice in buying and selling hail, work and even rent of houses and cars.

Negotiating Hotel Rates

It is always important to remember that most hotels are ready and willing to bargain their rates, especially during low demand or if you’re booking several rooms. However, if one wishes to haggle, he or she should best get in touch with the hotel and inquire if negotiation is possible. It is also suggested to reserve and look for the availability through the internet and see if you are able to get better deals with a phone call.

Bargaining for Transportation

Auto rickshaw or tuk-tuk, as they are locally called along with other forms of transportation are relatively costly but, bargaining on the fare is possible. Standard protocol requires you to negotiate the fare with the driver before you climb into his car and don’t be shy to negotiate if the fare is sky-high.

Package Deals

You’ll want to seek advice from the tour operator or travel agent, or if you are staying at a place you’re interested in for some time, you may need to ask for a package deal where charges include accommodation, means of transport and other attractions. This can often bring about a saving which is massive at times.

Tips for Successful Haggling and Bartering – Stretching Your Dollar

• Research Local Customs: The way they negotiate prices usually depends on the culture and so one has to be keen with the etiquette. Hence, what is deemed correct to do in one culture differs with what is considered proper in another culture.
• Be Patient and Persistent: Bargaining is both an art and time consuming but mostly time consuming at that. Don’t be surprised if you have to bargain up and down to reach the best price to pay for this product.
• Be Polite and Respectful: Keep good relations with the other party at any point of time during the negotiation process. Do not act as though you know it all or your wishes have to be granted.
• Practice and Confidence:knowingly, the more often you engage in haggling and bargaining skills the more skilled you are going to be in it. Confidence is also key. Remember you are negotiating and that it isn’t impossible to get a better deal.

Conclusion – Stretching Your Dollar

Bargaining or negotiating is the common practice that people enjoy as they move around because it not only offers the opportunity to save on cost but also exercise their aspect of creativity as well. By applying these tips then you will be in a position to save some of your cash and enjoy the trip.

Just bear in mind that one must never get tired and lose his temper in bargaining and always remember to be polite. By using the said tips, you can quickly master the art of bargaining and save lots of your hard earned cash during your travels.