Technically, the act of bartering means to negotiate a price for goods or services in the form of a trade. In India, however, you will find this term most often referring to negotiating a lower price, also referred to as 'haggling' or 'bargaining'.
Photo: Traditional marionettes for sale in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.
Bartering in India is very much a part of the culture. While some shops will have a strict 'No Bartering' policy, many store merchants will purposely overprice goods and services in anticipation of their customers bartering for a lower price.
Generally speaking, a good place to start in your average shop is to offer about half the asking price. Usually a settlement can be made for about three quarters or less than the original price.
Street vendors will often be more ruthless, especially with foreigners. From my own experience, the best way to get the best deal is is to express interest in an item, but not offer a price. Instead, decline whatever the merchant has quoted, and walk away, saying that is too much. Walking away is the key - the price will immediately drop, often to about half. Remember that while it often seems like they're trying to rip you off, it’s most often that they are just trying to provide for their families, and see foreigners as having too much money to begin with.
Photo: Traditional marionettes for sale in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.Bartering in India is very much a part of the culture. While some shops will have a strict 'No Bartering' policy, many store merchants will purposely overprice goods and services in anticipation of their customers bartering for a lower price.
Generally speaking, a good place to start in your average shop is to offer about half the asking price. Usually a settlement can be made for about three quarters or less than the original price.
Street vendors will often be more ruthless, especially with foreigners. From my own experience, the best way to get the best deal is is to express interest in an item, but not offer a price. Instead, decline whatever the merchant has quoted, and walk away, saying that is too much. Walking away is the key - the price will immediately drop, often to about half. Remember that while it often seems like they're trying to rip you off, it’s most often that they are just trying to provide for their families, and see foreigners as having too much money to begin with.
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