Do you always kindly pay for what is asked when traveling? Or are you always trying to get as cheap as possible?
Here are 7 tips for your next trip to Asia that will help you get the gifts cheaply without your conscience starting to ring.
1) Always keep small banknotes with you
When visiting markets and markets, it is important to always remember to book small notes and coins.
If you pay for your product with large bills, the seller may have to give you big piles of change in addition to the low price you bargain for, which is not very reasonable.
The flat rate is always a good starting point for price negotiations.
2) Do not buy right from the first booth
Asian markets and markets often have a lot of vendors with more or less the same products in their selection. So it’s not worth stopping for shopping right at the first stall. Instead, tour for a while first and see what prices are charged for the same products in different locations.
Once you’ve decided what you want to buy – and you’ve read the prices requested for the product – you’re in a slightly better position right away when price negotiations start.
3) Never make your first offer
Once you’ve found the souvenir you want and made the purchase decision, never make an offer yourself. You can get the best offer by always asking the seller for a price first.
If you propose the price yourself, you probably won’t make the best possible trades.
It may be that the price you offer is significantly lower than the real price of the product. Then your own price and the price the seller is asking are so far apart that you may never be able to agree on a suitable price. On the other hand, you can also offer the product much more than what the seller would have asked for.
So ask the seller to tell you the price of the product before making your own counter-offer.
4) Never offer less than 50% of the price of the product
A good rule of thumb in bargaining is that the product should never be offered for less than 50% of the price given by the seller.
It’s OK to try to get shopping at the lowest possible price, but demanding trail prices isn’t tactful.
5) Respect the seller
In Finland, a couple of euros is a small amount of money, while for an Asian market seller, even one euro can make a big difference.
So even if you want to ensure the best possible price for your souvenir shopping, you should keep things in perspective. A little money probably means a lot less to you than a seller.
6) Buy multiple copies of the same product
If you want to tow the price even lower, it’s often smart to buy multiple pieces of the same product. This will allow you to get a volume discount on your purchase. The seller’s goal, of course, is to sell more products, so it’s also a good “deal” for him.
You can negotiate a price, for example, by asking if you could buy four pieces of the same product for the price of three.
7) Bargaining is not always an issue
It is important to remember that price cannot or should not be compromised everywhere, although price negotiation is usually the norm in Asia. Check Countryaah to view all countries in the continent of Asia.
For example, if you buy food from a street kitchen, the price of the portion is already so affordable that it is not worth compromising on it. Bargaining may be possible in stores and malls, but it is important to pay attention to the atmosphere of the place and evaluate the appropriateness of the bargain on a store-by-store basis.
So only price when it makes sense and is possible.
Are you ready to compromise?
Are you ready to compromise?
There are countless fascinating and colorful markets and markets in Asia where you can make discoveries and good shops. You can test your bargaining skills at, for example, the charming market streets of Hoi An in Vietnam, the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, Thailand, or the Angkor Night Market in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
If you need help choosing the most suitable Asian travel destination for you, you can contact our travel advisers, who will be happy to help you.
