BajaNomad

Haggling

pauldavidmena - 6-3-2013 at 07:07 PM

I've read either that it's expected, or that it's deeply insulting. My intention is not to blend in as much as to be a good neighbor when I visit Todos Santos in July. Since we plan to cook many of our own meals, we'll likely be combing the markets daily. So should we pay the asking price with a naive smile, or astutely drive a bargain?

tiotomasbcs - 6-3-2013 at 07:16 PM

Paul David, Welcome. Regatear means bargainining, I believe. In Segundas, internet, etc como no! In local stores or markets--Olvidate! This is the expensive part of the Groove. Suerte. Tio

DENNIS - 6-3-2013 at 07:17 PM

I think it's an outdated custom. I never could do it. If I like a price, I make the purchase. If I don't like a price, I walk.
What with all the Segundas here now, the opportunity to haggle presents itself often. I still don't do it.

Mulegena - 6-3-2013 at 07:23 PM

You won't blend in, that's a given. It'll be immediately apparent that you're visitors. You'll be a guest in a foreign country and will certainly be welcome and treated kindly and with respect.

If you insist on haggling you'll fail completely at being a good neighbor. Basically, prices are set in advance and are the same for everyone.

No one is likely to go out of their way to take advantage of you, don't worry. Relax, smile and enjoy your stay enough to come back again.

woody with a view - 6-3-2013 at 07:27 PM

if you don't like a price, try to bundle a few items-or ask if it's their best price. it's your money and they want it, nothing to be ashamed of if you get a good deal-on both sides.

monoloco - 6-3-2013 at 10:40 PM

Save the haggling for beach vendors and trinket stands, it doesn't fly in the supermercado.

pauldavidmena - 6-4-2013 at 03:52 AM

Thank you for some good, common sense answers. I don't do it in the U.S. unless I'm at a Flea Market or buying a used car - so it follows that I wouldn't do it when I'm the guest of another country.

Skipjack Joe - 6-4-2013 at 07:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena

I've read either that it's expected, or that it's deeply insulting.



If the price is high than it's expected, but if it's fair than it's insulting.

That applies mostly to open markets you find throughout Mexico, not supermercados.

Bajajorge - 6-4-2013 at 07:38 AM

Haggle over Tee shirts, junk jewelry, etc. Go to the mercado, the carniceria and buy for the stated price. Occasionally you can haggle at a pescadaria.

Mulegena - 6-4-2013 at 08:05 AM

Haggling may gain you a few pesos, discretionary money which will likely make no difference whatsoever in your pocketbook or quality of vacation.

The clerk who is so anxious to make a sale that he accepts a few pesos less still must answer to the shop owner and pay him his due for the goods sold at the end of the day. Those pesos haggled over were denied the clerk who makes a meager living at best.

In the open-air markets check out the stalls and each's price for goods. Go with your instincts and trade with someone you like.

Also, tourists need to know that the person who bags your groceries in the market receives no salary other than the tips that are shared, so please don't forget. You'll find a tiny tip jar discreetly placed somewhere on the check-out counter. You'll be sincerely thanked for the 5-10 pesos you place in it.

Lee - 6-4-2013 at 08:13 AM

Nobody wants to overpay or look like a fool.

I am the have, they are the have nots. I'm viewed as rich, I view them as poor.

A generous attitude is better than a cheap one.

If you're buying a $1,000 USD rug, haggle, have fun.

If you're negotiating to save $1-2-3 dollars from a vendor, forgetaboutit.

In Pescadero, folks are lining up at Baja Beans, MX and gringo, to pay $3.50 US for lattes. Prices can only go up. I tip 10-20 pesos.

BajaBlanca - 6-4-2013 at 08:18 AM

Except for big stores like supermarkets, walmarts etc. where the prices are set in stone, I think it is great fun to discuss pricing! Be polite and even joke about it. Have fun with it! You will find that you may make a friend in the process. Many vendors raise the price to a gringo and are more than happy to volley back and forth. Trust me, when they reach their bargain price, they won't budge! Ole!

DavidE - 6-4-2013 at 09:59 AM

IMO Baja Blanca hit the nail right on the head. The magic word "discuss".

Baja California is light-years distant from the mainland as far as the subject of BARTERING is concerned. Except for wandering vendors I encounter it sadly few times. I reserve the word "haggling" for high value purchases of multiple items.

Some wandering vendors on the peninsula are aggressive as hell. Ask them a question and you'll have a piranha clamped to your wallet. My favorite polite refusal is that I prefer a color they obvious do not have. Or make them laugh "Estoy bancarota!" (I'm bankrupt).

For people, places, items, I am not sure are "barterable" I'll wait until the price is known and then ask "¿se puede compra para?"
Say PWAY-day COM-pra par-ah? (include the word SAY)
This means in Spanish: Can this be purchased for (amount)?
This is extremely polite. If the clerk shakes their head, then no, the price is fixed.

On the mainland I let Pilar and Dalia do the buying of groceries at the weekly tianguis. 11-year old Pilar will put her hands on her hips stare at the vendor and say something like "What makes YOUR (tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, strawberries etc) so special?

But if a vendor is just too aggressive (hammock, hat, sunglasses, etc.) i'll wag a finger and say "No es la constumbre!"
No es la ko-STOOM-bray This is not customary. A polite yet firm rebuke.

Skipjack Joe - 6-4-2013 at 10:24 AM

It's common to haggle over the price of a taxi ride all over latin america. The locals would tell me to stay out of sight or behind a doorway during the whole process. Then they would hail down a taxi and barter. Only when the price was set I was invited to come out. Once the driver sees you it's hard for them to negotiate a good price.

This does not apply to bus rides.

monoloco - 6-4-2013 at 11:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
It's common to haggle over the price of a taxi ride all over latin america. The locals would tell me to stay out of sight or behind a doorway during the whole process. Then they would hail down a taxi and barter. Only when the price was set I was invited to come out. Once the driver sees you it's hard for them to negotiate a good price.

This does not apply to bus rides.
Once I needed a taxi from the Managua airport to my hotel downtown, the driver started at $50, but we ended up settling on 100 Cordobas. (about $4 US)

sancho - 6-4-2013 at 11:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
It's common to haggle over the price of a taxi ride all over latin america






Bussed TJ/La Paz, taxi from the LP Bus station to the Malecon I knew was $3, the cab I got into said $12,
got out and into the next cab in line, which the second driver
said $3, the drivers then got into a mildly
heated debate, to which I was able to
gleen that the first driver was telling the second it is
OK to overcharge the Gringo

Haggling price

J.P. - 6-4-2013 at 11:45 AM

all the places I have been in Mexico especially the tourist areas haggling is expected at the shops, big box stores and super markets no way.
When dealing with tradesmen the time to haggle is before the service is provided.
I always play it buy ear when shopping they will usually let you know.

DENNIS - 6-4-2013 at 11:51 AM

Last Sunday, I was at Perry Ford in National City. Their method of selling is so high pressure and insulting that it drove me out the door....for the second and last time.
Point is....these places are the home of haggling which I don't do well. I'm a bad buyer and a bad seller, but I try not to be a complete fool about it all.

Car sales

J.P. - 6-4-2013 at 12:44 PM

The guy on the lot is no more than a Greeter I will not deal with one I will only talk to the person that can say yes or no.

DENNIS - 6-4-2013 at 12:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by J.P.
The guy on the lot is no more than a Greeter I will not deal with one I will only talk to the person that can say yes or no.



Yeah...I talked to one of those as well. He's the one who said, " What's it going to take from me to have you sign this paper here?" after I told him I wasn't going to get involved in anything that day and would return the following day to take care of business, and it's a good thing I didn't. Turns out, the vehicle, a 2011 Ranger with 70 thou miles, was being sold for three thousand more than it cost new. I won't even say what they were willing to give for trade-in on my Jeep....BYE BYE.

BajaBlanca - 6-4-2013 at 01:34 PM

HERTZ USED CAR SALES - in El Cajon (San Diego county), but I see that they now have other locations about town. This is where my family has bought 3 cars.

Wonderful place to buy cars! the prices are excellent and there isno haggling. It is what it is (and it's GOOD!). Please confirm address when you call.

965 Arnele Ave
El Cajon
(619) 401-5980