Editor’s Note: This was originally going to be part of our “DOs of Traveling” post, but kind of ballooned out of control. It doesn’t seem like there’s much out there on haggling, so we figured we’d do our part to contribute to the vicious blood sport of bartering.
Haggling is an essential skill in most non-Western countries or in just about every outdoor market, yet most Westerners are put off by the concept of bargaining. GET OVER IT.
If something doesn’t have a price tag, chances are you’ll be given a “flexible” price. In Shanghai we saw marked-up prices as high as 500%, in Marrakech this was probably closer to 300%. The vendors aren’t holding back, and neither should you. Here are some common techniques to make sure you leave with your shirt still on your back.
1. Survey the competition. 
Haggling over Fatima hands in Marrakech
Never buy from the first place. Chances are that several merchants are selling the same wares – and the ones with the crappier location will sell things to you at a better price.
In Marrakech we shopped around for leather camels and checked their prices at about 8 stands to establish a base line cost.
2. Buy in bulk to reduce costs.
Camels for everybody! The furry ones make Godzilla noises.
Planning on buying gifts for the whole family? Might as well ask how much that camel costs when you buy 10 of those suckers!
3. Buy from the guy with the roll up carpet, not from the place with a window.
The Marrakech markets were lined with vendors on carpets.
People with low overhead can afford to cut you better prices. They also might not have a merchant’s license, so don’t be surprised if your bargaining gets better when the police get close.
4. Lie about where you’re from, when necessary.
Market in Siem Reap where we were either from Hong Kong or Singapore. Some times both!
It may seem like they’re making conversation, but merchants are probably trying to judge how rich you are before they offer you a price. America has an inflated reputation of being extremely wealthy, so in Asia we told people we were from Singapore since they couldn’t tell the difference in English accents anyway.
5. Never accept the first price, the merchant can usually go lower.
Breakdancers in Bangkok’s seedier side of town.
Pick a number in your head (like 40% of the starting point) and start below that. The merchant and you will usually meet in the middle, unless someone gets the upper hand.
The Selfish Years 