I wanted to get an idea of some different haggling techniques dr1's use, focusing on the purchase of souvenirs.
More specifically, say you're in the mercado modelo in SD and are interested in purchasing an item from one of the vendors. You are given a price...now what?
Do you low ball? Offer 50% of the ticket price or another percentage?
I'm just interested in the techniques, if any, that people use to purchase souvenirs in the Dominican Republic.
I like the 30% rule typically to start things off. The most important thing to know about what your going to purchase is how much it is really worth or what a typical price is for this item. We all should know how much a shirt or towel costs. Smaller trinkets are more difficult but should be cheap if they are made locally.
I try not to purchase anything in stores where items have no price tags. This makes the tourist areas difficult to shop in.
Also do not use a driver or taxi or the price goes up so the driver can get a commision!
I would suggest start by looking where the locals live in store where prices are on the items to get a feel for what this type of item is being sold for.
Next if you choose to haggle in the tourist areas my gameplan involves using time on my side. The tourist merchants want the sale today. Don't tell people during small talk how long your in town.
This gives you the edge in knowing how long you have to make your purchase.
The vender has no idea if hes going to lose a sale because your leaving and going home.
During low season or days when the shopping area is less crowded you also can stand a chance of getting a lower price.
Like I said I like the 30% rule. He gives you a price you offer 30% of that. A lot of the venders typically double or even triple their prices for tourists so your just bringing it back down to where it should be anyhow.
Now on day 1 of the haggle he starts at $70 USD. This should be the first clue since hes quoting in USD and not RD. Now you have to know the correct exchange rate. So for example $70 USD is about 2000RD. Now since hes figuring on the exchange rate being in his favor(Ill use 35RD=1 USD in my example) I penalize him for trying to charge me in USD and offer him 600RD.
He'll try whatever excuses and sob stories about being broke and having no money and how rich you are and its not a lot of money story. You make the final offer at 600RD and walk away.
He will probably try calling you back for 1200 or 1000RD. This is where you say I offered 600RD. If he continues pushing tell him the new price is 550RD.
If hes desperate for the sale you could probably get your 600RD or even the 500RD if you push it. If not walk away. The next day walk by him and see what he says. If he ignores you time to move on to the next store (most sell the same stuff anyhow). If he tries the sales pitch again start with the 550RD or even go lower to 500RD and let him try to work you back to the original 600RD. Tell him you were ready to pay 600RD the other day but he said no.
Let him know your going to find the same item someplace else for 600RD so he knows your shopping and thats your price.
This is my example of haggling. It might not work for everyone but this is just how I like to shop when theirs no price tags. Also even if there is a price tag you still can make an offer. The worst thing they can do is say no.
