Knowing how to get a bargain in Southeast Asia is a huge part of the travel experience. While the idea that you have to bargain for everything in this part of the world is completely exaggerated, there are some places where it’s completely acceptable and even expected. We’re talking about the night markets and street stalls. Here are some tips to brush up your bargaining skills and making the most of your Southeast Asia trip:
Dress wisely
Before you even walk out of your hotel, choose your clothes wisely. Don’t wear expensive jewelry or brand-name clothes. Shopkeepers will notice these details and won’t be as open to bargaining with you. You will already stand out for looking foreign, so make sure to dress as casually as possible.
Go with locals
Whenever possible, go shopping with locals. They know the real price of the different items and shopkeepers will be more constrained in spitting out ridiculous prices at you. Plus, if you really want an item and can’t haggle your way into a cheaper price, you can just ask your local friend to head to the shop and purchase it for you.
Speak some local words
If you don’t have any locals to go shopping with you, knowing some local words can go a long way too. “Hello”, “Thank you”, “Yes” and “No” are just some of the words that might come in handy when bargaining. If you manage to get the correct pronunciation down, shopkeepers will also take it as a sign that you’ve been in their country for a longer period of time. And that means they won’t try to get a ridiculous price out of you.
Get the average price
If you’re interested in an item – say a t-shirt – head to a few different stalls to get the average asking price. This will give you a better idea of the average price range for that t-shirt. You can still bargain your way into a cheaper price, and you’ll be more confident that you’re getting the right price.
Keep the conversation going
The most important thing when trying to get a bargain in Southeast Asia is to keep the conversation going. Don’t stand dumbstruck when you think the shopkeeper has named an absurd price. Keep haggling. When it seems like you’ve hit a deadlock in the negotiation, try something like: “This is a good price, you should take it” or “I cannot pay Y but I will pay X”.
Be ready to walk away
Getting a bargain in Southeast Asia, and especially in Thailand, relies heavily on the idea of walking away. If the shopkeeper isn’t lowering the price, simply say “No, it is too much” and head to the next stall. More often than not, the shopkeeper will go after you yelling lower prices to get you to buy the item.
Be true to your word
When the street vendor finally agrees to sell for your price, be true to your word and agree to make the purchase. In Southeast Asia in general, it is considered extremely impolite if you go back on your word. So be prepared to buy for the price you are asking.
Smile!
A smile goes a long way, and this is true when trying to get a bargain in Southeast Asia as well. Some people enjoy bargaining more than others but, even when it’s stressful, keeping smiling. It will make the conversation flow more easily and keep the street vendor interesting in selling to you.
