I was in Morocco last year (haggling capital of the world) and was totally unprepared. I knew, beforehand, that I would have to bargain and haggle for almost everything....but man. I was haggled by vendors and salespeople into buying things that I wasn't even really interested in.
You peak into a shop or glance over and they would invite you to see what they have. Next you know, they're setting down pillows and pouring you a glass of mint tea and you want to leave but feel guilty because they are being so hospitable and nice. Man, I've never drank so much tea in my life (an ultra super sweet tea, at that).
I also spent a lot of time haggling for some things. 25 minutes just to buy a leather belt one late afternoon. I got some great deals but also know I paid way too much for other things. Part of the "fun," I guess.
I'm glad the US isn't a haggling culture. It can be stressful at times...and time consuming. In the US, I've bargained my HDTV down several hundred dollars off the sale price. I've haggled down the price of a digital camera and a few other things. I've also bargained at the kiosk booths/carts at malls. They tend to be very flexible on price...as are street vendors at summer festivals.
I can also think of several occasions when I didn't quite have enough money when buying something small (soda, candy, some food at a fast food joint) and the place let me buy it with what cash I had. But that's not really bargaining, I guess.
When I bought my car, I didn't haggle at all since I received a "partner" discount (which is basically the car just above dealer cost) along with the manufacturer cash back incentive on top of it.
You peak into a shop or glance over and they would invite you to see what they have. Next you know, they're setting down pillows and pouring you a glass of mint tea and you want to leave but feel guilty because they are being so hospitable and nice. Man, I've never drank so much tea in my life (an ultra super sweet tea, at that).
I also spent a lot of time haggling for some things. 25 minutes just to buy a leather belt one late afternoon. I got some great deals but also know I paid way too much for other things. Part of the "fun," I guess.
I'm glad the US isn't a haggling culture. It can be stressful at times...and time consuming. In the US, I've bargained my HDTV down several hundred dollars off the sale price. I've haggled down the price of a digital camera and a few other things. I've also bargained at the kiosk booths/carts at malls. They tend to be very flexible on price...as are street vendors at summer festivals.
I can also think of several occasions when I didn't quite have enough money when buying something small (soda, candy, some food at a fast food joint) and the place let me buy it with what cash I had. But that's not really bargaining, I guess.
When I bought my car, I didn't haggle at all since I received a "partner" discount (which is basically the car just above dealer cost) along with the manufacturer cash back incentive on top of it.