In Reply to: fair prices posted by stonesteps on Saturday, 31. May 2003 at 03:47 Bali Time:
Your intention is quite Ok, but you have to be aware, that to Balinese
you are "tamu"(guest).Which means you have money.You come by plane, seems to have all the time in the world. You can only be rich.
So most of the time prices are doublled as they see a non-Indonesian face.Bargaining is common here.They themselves have to.Every buy is a separate deal.It is more than buying. It is also a way of contact.I myself start bargaining at 60 percent of what they are asking.And than the game starts, in which a lot is permitted.But once the deal is made, it is very unpolite not to buy. Prices I cannot give, because it depends on the item. its quality. Look around before you buy, because there is so much(too much)There are also a lot of shops with fixed prices. And most of all, dont show how you feel about their situation at the moment, because it will be written on your face, and most of them will see it. Have a great "bargaining"time in Bali.