The market for fake designer goods is high- especially for people like me who feed off the accessibility to such products at "low prices". One problem stood in my way, bartering. I had read articles on the do's and dont's but very little can prepare you for the adrenaline rush as you argue through the language barrier. Adrenaline? YES! Nothing gets your heart pumping like passing back and forth a calculator as you threaten to walk away with each new price that they throw at you.
The second night after landing in Thailand, I set my sights high on a pair of Ray Bans. I go into the interaction knowing my limit $5 USD, approximately 174 Thai Baht. I flag down the woman in charge of the stand and show her my dream pair of glasses, a nice round turtle shell and gold frame, she begins to ponder. Seconds later she is typing the number that would determine my next move into her well worn calculator. 1200 Baht, $34, my heart sank. I immediately turn around and begin walking the other direction, magically the price plummeted to 400 Baht. I whipped around and aggressively typed 70 Baht into her calculator, I was met fervently with a sign of disgust - something that would persist through the entire trip. The exchange continued until I was the proud owner of a pair of Ray Bans breaking the bank at $4.69. I felt on top of the world as I scanned the other products surrounding me and tried to get them for the same deal, but to no avail...
I would go on to improve my tactics, and make a lot of Thai merchants very offended in the midst.
This sounds like an interesting experience. It's cool that you were able to barter like this even with the language barrier. It's amazing that the change in price was that large, from $34 to $4.69.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story. I've never really thought that a foreigner could bargain so effectively in an Asian Market Place. Its also a good thing that you know that most of the products they sell are knock offs and that you're trying to get the lowest prices from them.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool you were able to bring down the price by that much! This culture of bartering is extremely prevalent in India too. Nice post!
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ReplyDeleteI applaud you on your bargaining skills. When I went to Cuba, I was a yes girl to everyone. I bought a pottery mug for $8 when it was usually $2 (according to the locals we were staying with). It was very entertaining and interesting to read about how you developed your bargaining strategy during your trip.
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