The Basics of Bazaar Bargaining

August 29, 2014

At Project Bly, we scour markets around the world to bring you the finest handcrafted and one-of-a-kind finds. Along the way we’ve met some incredible craftsmen and merchants, and we’ve learned a lot about the art of bargaining. Here are our 5 top tips:

1. Know Before You Buy

Even if you only have an afternoon in a market, take your time to get the lay of the land before you begin the buying process. In most markets you’ll have several vendors selling similar products. Try to figure out the range of prices and qualities being offered. Being informed is going to make you a better bargainer!

2. Don’t Fall in Love

Easier said than done, but don’t fall in love because if you’re in love with something, you’re not going to be able to walk away and you’ll end up paying more than you want to. So before you get your toes wet, it’s always a good idea to make a mental note of your desired price, the highest you’re willing to go and what number you’re going to let go of that rug you’ve been coveting.

3. Play Second

Don’t say: “I love you” first! Let the vendor start the bargaining with an initial offer. It helps you understand their expectations and what to counter offer.

4. Listen

The more you know about a product, the better you’ll be able to gauge what it’s worth and what price a vendor is willing to sell it for. The added benefit to this is that you’ll get to know the story behind the object. Who made it? How was it made? Where did it come from?

5. Have Fun!

And finally, perhaps our most important piece of advice is this: keep it friendly and have fun! Bargaining is just as much about building a relationship as it is about getting a great deal. You might occasionally come across someone who is out to fleece you, but most vendors just want a fair price. Often they build a little bit of bargaining into their offer price, it is part of the game of shopping in the market. So don’t be afraid to bargain hard, but remember the end result should be one that leaves both you and the vendor as winners.