How much haggling room is there??

[TMel]

I am not normally a haggler (I cant even try it at flea markets) but without even knowing it, the first night in Playa, I found some sterling bangles at one of the nicer silver shops around 5th. Originally, she wanted $40 USD a piece (I wanted ten, some for myself and some for gifts...) and there was no way I was going to drop $400. So I made an offer, and she refused (it was probably around $20 each)...eventually I just figured, "Hey, it's my first night here, I'll find more"...well... I started to leave and the woman ran out of the shop to follow me, saying she'd take $15 a piece. Soo, regardless of whether or not I actually got a good deal, I felt accomplished and ended up paying $150 for all of them. Not too shabby for my first 'deal'

[January Guy]

Originally Posted by ale

Sorry if i misunderstood, but i had the idea that she was talking about craftsmanship items, at least when i went to Playa that was mostly what you could buy in the 5ta avenida. I would for sure bargain with Honda or Toyota,
big corporation who cares, but and i seen this before, when you do that with the vendors then they will do the same to the people who make the stuff
in the little town and let me tell you, these people already do not get much from this store's owners. I seen this happen not only in Mexico but in Bolivia and Peru too. My wife is from Mexico and she has friends who buy stuff from artisans in small towns and again these people make coins for what they do.
Do not get me wrong, if i could get a cent from a corporation or a chain of stores i would do that but i think this is different. And again if i misunderstood her question or point i apologies.
thanks
Ale.

It seems that you are saying that one should not haggle with some of the smaller vendors. I disagree because many of those smaller vendors are expecting people to haggle with them and thus the price they first propose to you is well over market value. Given the options of haggling them down to market value or walking out of their store, I believe they would prefer being haggled down to market value.

I do agree that the financial situation of these merchants is not nearly as comfortable as mine is. Thus, I basically haggle them down to market value (whatever the amount is worth to me) and then pay that amount even if I feel I could haggle them down further. Sure, it costs me extra this way, but I am getting the product at a price I am comfortable with and still leaving the merchant with some profit.

[Bumper]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

i think it's fine if you choose to pay more than you need to pay for something - but the rest of us do not have to follow suit.

Too true, Bloo, but by the same token, neither should anyone feel obligated to bargain for what they choose to buy.

Let me preface this by saying we rarely buy anything to come home with us from Playa. We've been going long enough, that for the most part, what we need or want has already been bought. We do invariably pick up a thing or three at Siete Detalles - pottery serving pieces or pewter items mostly - but we've always found their pricing to be so reasonable that we don't try to beat her up.

I don't haggle. I just don't enjoy the process, and I can't be bothered. As a general rule, I know what I want, I know what I can afford, and I know what I'm willing to pay. If I don't like the price I'm quoted, I indicate to the seller that's the case, and I walk away. If they choose to make me another offer, that's fine, but I figure let them work for it. The key is that I'm willing to walk away. There's nothing I need or want so badly that I'm willing to take part in a practice I find disagreeable. Admittedly, on several occasions, I've returned to a store more than once, and have ended up making a purchase at a price significantly less than I had initially been quoted.

And don't assume I don't understand the negotiation process, just because I don't participate in it at this level. Did I pay the asking price for any of the cars I've owned, or my home, or other "big ticket" items? Of course not. For a good part of my working life, I bought things for a living. Anywhere from $200 million - $280 million a year. Did I pay list price? I don't think so. Maybe that's why I can't be bothered now.

So, I have no problem with folks that choose to haggle for what they buy, but it's not for everybody.

[avagirl]

Originally Posted by Bumper

Too true, Bloo, but by the same token, neither should anyone feel obligated to bargain for what they choose to buy.

Let me preface this by saying we rarely buy anything to come home with us from Playa. We've been going long enough, that for the most part, what we need or want has already been bought. We do invariably pick up a thing or three at Siete Detalles - pottery serving pieces or pewter items mostly - but we've always found their pricing to be so reasonable that we don't try to beat her up.

I don't haggle. I just don't enjoy the process, and I can't be bothered. As a general rule, I know what I want, I know what I can afford, and I know what I'm willing to pay. If I don't like the price I'm quoted, I indicate to the seller that's the case, and I walk away. If they choose to make me another offer, that's fine, but I figure let them work for it. The key is that I'm willing to walk away. There's nothing I need or want so badly that I'm willing to take part in a practice I find disagreeable. Admittedly, on several occasions, I've returned to a store more than once, and have ended up making a purchase at a price significantly less than I had initially been quoted.

And don't assume I don't understand the negotiation process, just because I don't participate in it at this level. Did I pay the asking price for any of the cars I've owned, or my home, or other "big ticket" items? Of course not. For a good part of my working life, I bought things for a living. Anywhere from $200 million - $280 million a year. Did I pay list price? I don't think so. Maybe that's why I can't be bothered now.

So, I have no problem with folks that choose to haggle for what they buy, but it's not for everybody.

So you basically "haggle"... You have told them no and if they chase you as you are walking out the door with a lower price, you buy it then.. or you have came back later on and they have offered you lower and you buy it... It is the same thing, don't you think? You are still paying less then the original asking price, correct?

[Bumper]

Originally Posted by avagirl

So you basically "haggle"... You have told them no and if they chase you as you are walking out the door with a lower price, you buy it then.. or you have came back later on and they have offered you lower and you buy it... It is the same thing, don't you think? You are still paying less then the original asking price????

I can't say as I can argue with your assessment. As far as I'm concerned, the haggling process consists of offer - counter offer - counter offer, etc. Tedious and unpalatable to me. I guess my willingness to walk away from the transaction unless the vendor chooses to "sweeten the pot" could be perceived as haggling, just a passive and largely indifferent approach to the practice. Hey, I'm not knocking the exercise. If you enjoy it, and are convinced it's to your benefit, by all means go ahead. I just object to the perception that some people seem to have that if you don't bargain, you're getting taken advantage of. I got what I wanted. I paid what I consider a satisfactory price, or I wouldn't have made the purchase. If the merchant made a tiny profit, or a huge profit, concerns me not in the slightest.

[stacie628]

Originally Posted by avagirl

So you basically "haggle"... You have told them no and if they chase you as you are walking out the door with a lower price, you buy it then.. or you have came back later on and they have offered you lower and you buy it... It is the same thing, don't you think? You are still paying less then the original asking price, correct?

The end result is the same, without the annoying process of making offers and counter offers.... which can be annoying and exhausting.

[January Guy]

Originally Posted by avagirl

So you basically "haggle"... You have told them no and if they chase you as you are walking out the door with a lower price, you buy it then.. or you have came back later on and they have offered you lower and you buy it... It is the same thing, don't you think? You are still paying less then the original asking price, correct?

I had the same question at first, but I think the difference is Bumper has chosen not engage in the back and forth part of true haggling. When I say true haggling, I think of where you have to decide how much to offer and how to present your offer. Bumper basically has a price in mind and if the merchant dips to that price Bumper will buy, but Bumper request that lower price and won't push to person to that price. It's kind of like saying to the merchant that I'm not going to try to beat down your price, but if you decide to drop your price, that is your business and I'll consider your revised offer. Seems like a less stressful way to shop!

[Bumper]

Originally Posted by January Guy

I had the same question at first, but I think the difference is Bumper has chosen not engage in the back and forth part of true haggling. When I say true haggling, I think of where you have to decide how much to offer and how to present your offer. Bumper basically has a price in mind and if the merchant dips to that price Bumper will buy, but Bumper request that lower price and won't push to person to that price. It's kind of like saying to the merchant that I'm not going to try to beat down your price, but if you decide to drop your price, that is your business and I'll consider your revised offer. Seems like a less stressful way to shop!

I guess that's pretty much the way of it, JG. I hadn't thought of it in quite those terms. In general, I tend to be pretty relaxed about these kinds of things. They just don't seem that significant. Hey, we're talking about pottery, or silver bangles, or hammocks here, not penicillin. As you can imagine, when I was involved in big time buying, the process had a little more pressure attached, so I find it a bit tough getting too excited about this kind of negotiating.

[avagirl]

Originally Posted by Bumper

I guess that's pretty much the way of it, JG. I hadn't thought of it in quite those terms. In general, I tend to be pretty relaxed about these kinds of things. They just don't seem that significant. Hey, we're talking about pottery, or silver bangles, or hammocks here, not penicillin. As you can imagine, when I was involved in big time buying, the process had a little more pressure attached, so I find it a bit tough getting too excited about this kind of negotiating.

I like that approach then...I don't even think I have the nerve to go back and forth to begin with..

[January Guy]

Originally Posted by Bumper

I guess that's pretty much the way of it, JG. I hadn't thought of it in quite those terms. In general, I tend to be pretty relaxed about these kinds of things. They just don't seem that significant. Hey, we're talking about pottery, or silver bangles, or hammocks here, not penicillin. As you can imagine, when I was involved in big time buying, the process had a little more pressure attached, so I find it a bit tough getting too excited about this kind of negotiating.

I like your attitude about all this Bumper. You just kind of say, here is what I do and what I do it - but others can do what they want. I went back and read some of the spirited threads on this topic from years past and I can't agree with those who say either:

1) You must haggle or you are getting screwed
2) You must not haggle or you are screwing the locals

Just say why you do what you do without giving others a hard time, nicely done.

[granolaguy]

Originally Posted by avagirl

I mean, if on 5th ave. something is listed at a certain price, do you pay it, or is there some room there? Also, what other things/services can you negotiate? Someone said the parasailing on the beach?

When A' and i were in PDC last October, we haggled with the parasailing outfitters and received "50% off". I agree that most things are up for negotiation/haggling. It should be that way with more things in the U.S.!!!
All they can say is "no".

[Dan-0]

The only thing I would say is this: don't haggle if you're not seriously interested in buying. If you're not seriously interested in the vendor's wares, don't haggle just for the hell of it. Don't waste their time and then just walk away. I have sold to Hispanic customers for years, and they are master hagglers. But, the thing I respect about them is the fact that they rarely haggle if they're not seriously interested in buying. And most of them do buy. I'm not saying you have to buy if you haggle and then can't work something out, but I've seen a lot of folks who seem to enjoy going from vendor to vendor just to see how cheaply they can buy something that they really don't want anyway.

[Dijo]

for something. If, when I ask the price and it seems reasonably within what I consider it's worth; I don't haggle. If it's outrageously overpriced, I start the process. But honesly, my heart really isn't in it. I just want honest value for my pesos. I'm sure tons of people feel this way.
I guess if you've never been to Mexico and have absolutely now idea of what something is worth it would make things a bit different.

For the first 7 years we spent in Mexico is was on the Pacific coast: Puerto Vallarata. Beach peddlars are abundant, can be annoying; but can also become very good friends to the point you are bringing their children clothing, etc.

I guess, what I am trying to get across is: give fair money for fair value. If it doesn't mean that much to you, or you don't really want it: let it go.

[Bluespicker]

I'm not much for haggling but then I'm not much on buying either. Most of my "shopping" is done at Mega,Walmart or the mini supers and I wouldn't think of haggling there.

[ryberg]

I think there's the same divide every time this topic comes up, and that it's based on your perspective going on.

I personally am on the side of not haggling, and this is in large part because of my exposure to the gulf between the incomes and socioeconomic levels of many of the people I've seen in the region and those of the people who can afford to travel to the region for vacations -- as often as not lengthy ones,even during the more expensive high season, or frequent ones, more than once a year -- and my personal reaction to that big difference.

When the topic comes up, I'm always reminded of the depressing shock it was to me on a day trip from SD to TJ many years ago, seeing the level of living there in general, and in particular of an occasion where I and another woman happened to be looking at the same blankets being sold for 5 bucks each and the woman saying, "Are we supposed to haggle?" and me smiling and saying, "I don't know," and the woman saying, "Seems hardly worth it, when you look around at everything here," by which I understood her to mean not the products for sale but the entire standard of living in evidence. I nodded in agreement and bought a blanket for 5 bucks, which was cheap to me for the blanket, anyway, without the thought of haggling. To me, that blanket was well worth 5 bucks, so I didn't have a problem paying 5 bucks for it, and I didn't feel like I missed out because I didn't snag a better deal, somehow.

To this side, whether the vendor expects you to haggle is utterly irrelevant, but that's often a point the other side brings up, as if this first side will see it as relevant. The other side... I have to guess at their perspective and piece it together from comments made in these discussions, as I don't hold that perspective personally or understand it so well. But it seems the idea that the vendor may be expecting haggling is obviously important to them, and it seems that the socioeconomic discrepancies between them and the vendors is for their part not something they deem to be relevant. Also for many of these folks, it seems that haggling itself, or maybe just finding a good bargain on something, is a kind of sport, and they reach a kind of evident satisfaction from a good buy that I don't really understand or focus on.

Thus the comment above -- they're expecting you to haggle! -- doesn't help resolve the debate, because it's only really important to the side saying it. And if the first side pointed out those socio-economic differences, that wouldn't resolve the debate, either, because again it seems to be something only important or a relevant point to the side saying it.

This is what it seems like to me, anyway...

Steve