If you plan on visiting India, there is a cultural norm that you might be unaware of: Everything for sale is actually up for bargaining. If you go to a market in any Indian city, you will be expected to haggle. The same goes for cab fares and even prices listed on a menu in a restaurant. While this seems outrageous to most Americans, it’s simply the expected protocol for bargaining in India.
So, you might be wondering, how do you take part in this custom? Here are some hints:
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Begin the bargaining process by glancing at the item in question indifferently, then asking if the shopkeeper can drop the price at all. Most of the time, he will drop it a small amount. Tell him that it’s still too high, and when he asks what you would be willing to pay, suggest an amount that is less than half of the original asking price. If you are in an open-air market, it’s expected that the customers will be paying approximately half of what the shopkeeper originally asks. This is the time-honored tradition, and after some haggling back and forth, you’ll usually end up with your item at a substantially discounted price.
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If you don’t desperately need the item, don’t be afraid to bluff. If the shop owner won’t drop the price to what you want to pay, simply shrug and begin to walk off. In many cases, he will call you back and honor the price you want to pay. The small business owner is hoping you’ll pay more, of course, but he is certainly willing to let the item go for the fair price (which is what you are offering in the first place).
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If the shop owner does let you walk away, then your price might have really been too low. As this is a learning experience, it’s perfectly fine to go back with a new offer. If you feel too intimidated to go back on your bluff, you can probably find the item elsewhere. It’s really not a problem to go back, however; remember, this is part of the expected procedure for doing business in India.
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If you’re totally uncomfortable, stick to the price listed, when there is one. There is no law that says you have to haggle. Be aware, however, that in most cases, you will be overpaying. The taxicab driver, for example, will quote you a high fee because he expects you to talk him down. If you choose to pay his rates, he’ll be happy, but your wallet will be lighter than it needs to be.
Indian shop-owners expect to haggle, and in many cases, enjoy it. Everyone else is doing it as well, and it’s a very accepted part of shopping culture in this country. Try not to think about how such a thing would be perceived in the United States; it’s a completely different culture and different norms and traditions are held to. Haggling in a store would be unacceptable in other areas of the world, but that’s not the case when you visit the beautiful country of India.
Have you been to this part of the world? Were you comfortable enough to take part in some haggling and bargaining in India? Tell us about it!
