Most stalls love to haggle and if you’ve never done it before don’t worry it’s pretty easy, they do most of the work for you. Here’s my steps and tricks to haggling in Asia, more specifically Petarling Street, Malaysia but it’s pretty much universal for all of Asia. So have fun! I love it 😀
1. First ask them the price.
2. Then ask them what’s their best price*.
3. Then name your price around 50-80%** less than the original and see how the negotiations go.
3.1. Throw in some: “umm’s” , “hmm’s” , “come on’s” and if your feeling extra malay try a “too expensive la!”
4. If you are not happy try walking away and they might crack and then start shouting lower numbers at you as you leave. ‘bingo!’
5. If not all the stalls nearby have pretty much exactly the same stuff so repeat from step 1 haha easy right?!
Bonus tips to get it even cheaper!
1.The Rain
If it starts raining they’re aware they might not get many customers coming by and you’re all they’ve got so they will try their best to hang on to you, so push it if you wish.
2. The Nearly Empty Wallet
Now this tip is something that’s worked for me in the past and it’s been for the genuine reason that I’ve run out of money and don’t have enough for the deal. Usually they alway ask how much you’ve got left, if it’s right with them they might settle for lower than you ever could of haggled. I’ve got some things dirt cheap by accident and by luck but I’m sure if you wanted to develop this into a technique you can pre- store different values of money in places around your bag or wallet and try your luck.
3. Don’t walk away from a really good deal
So this isn’t quite tip to get your price cheaper but it’s to make sure you hang on to it. What happened to me was I haggled a nice hat down from 90rm to 30rm and which was hire easy but when I wanted to leave he turned a bit hostile and said “ok but 30 now, 95 when you come back!”
In my case I wasn’t really that fussed, I’m just browsing with plenty of time so I left and I’m sure il be able to get a good deal since I’m back in and out of Malaysia often with no rush. But it’s worth noting if they recognise you coming back to their stall in desperation there is a chance they might try and milk you once they know you want it.
*Sometimes they may actually give you their best price straight up. You will soon know judging by what prices the other stalls around it have been saying. If you want to make this guy go any cheaper it will only be by buying more of his items or maybe some for your friends?
**Keep in mind the kind of item you are dealing with and how much it might have cost to make and drop the price accordinglyÂ
Have you got any tips, I would love to hear them? Cheers
Joslins Adventure 