In Reply to: fair prices posted by stonesteps on Saturday, 31. May 2003 at 03:47 Bali Time:
2 types, A and B. A type wants the lowest price B type wants a fair price without too much trouble. Below is what I have found here on the BTF and what I have learned by doing. Read and enjoy but please no flames, its just for your reading enjoyment. also remember a hawker is a salesperson, male or female, young or old. no id saying hawker, just a person trying to make a living so do not bargain too hard. esp in these times.
The Art of Bargaining
If you have just arrived, do not buy any thing on ur first day. To get a general idea of how much people are paying as the sellers are very quick to know who is a "newbie" in town and who isn't, go to Matahari. Matahari is a fixed price store much like super kmart or wal mart There are 3 of them in Kuta. Check prices there, of course plan it such that u cool down in that store. They have AC and it's a relief from the Bali heat. Yes, of course, buy things to eat, drink, meals etc. Go to the supermarket part and get your basic nescesties . This way you will help avoid the first day rush to buy and then find you paid 2 or 3 times what you should have. To practice bargaining do this. On ur first day in Bali when u see something that might interest u, do not go over 1/4 of the price the seller first quotes u. So make sure u start so low that when u look up,. U see bottom. As the price you quote will be too low, the seller will not sell it to you. That's ok. You are practicing bargaining, but do not tell the seller that. Do not expect to achieve instant results. After the first day in Bali or when u feel compfy u can bargain for keeps.
Before you start bargaining , always have a price in your head that you won't go over . Generally 1/4 the asking price If the seller will not sell it to you at that price, consider it bargain practice. If u really want the item, then next time u bargain, you will know the approximate price for that item. You can always come back to the seller and start bargaining all over again for the same item. The seller wants to sell.
Note that the seller will slowly raise the price, but do this, if he does not accept the price u quote, then lower the price. He will be shocked cause you had offered a higher price. Tell him that u have changed ur mind and that he did not accept ur offer so its off the table. This will confuse him. He is not used to this type of bargaining. He is used to slowly raising the price until u buy.
Don't be too shy about this way of shopping.
The first rule is u should not give a price unless you intend to buy. Once you give a price...no matter how small, you have started the process of bargaining and if the seller agrees on YOUR price, it is considered VERY rude to then not purchase the item. But then again, most Westerns are considered RUDE so big deal.
Once you have found something you like and the seller has given you a STARTING price you then offer a counter attack price. ( Your counter offer should generally be 1/5 to 1/4 what the seller is offering ) They will of course, claim that this is too low and that they will not make any money from the sale. They will then make a counter offer lower than their starting price , and away you go bargaining. As a guide , if the seller comes down in 10,000 you go up in 5,000.. Remember as you get closer to your intended purchase price, you may be haggling over a few cents...but don't let this worry you, as the Balinese are very good at haggling . (A type) If it is a few cents over your intended purchase price and the seller will not relent....walk away. There is always a next time to bargain and hone your skills. Sometimes if you walk away from a shop, you will be followed, with a lower offer, sometimes for blocks. The seller just won't give up. (B type) If it is a few cents over your intended purchase price and the seller will not relent.....who cares...GET IT !!!
Even thou they might be from a 3rd world country and not educated, the worst Bali hawker is 10 times better than the best Westerner bargainer. Why? Smarter? Well, the seller lives to sell, the tourist does not live to buy. Sellers are street smart with years of experience, even the young ones. Most westerners have no idea of bargaining. Some with very little bargaining skills. In this case the seller will eat u alive, every time.
*Note : If a price is offered in Dollars....It is always US$ unless first stated. Make sure u know what currency you are bargaining in. If buying a small item, always double check it before you hand over your money as the street sellers are very good at sleight of hand and you may end up buying a watch that isn't working or your finest silver bracelet is now a piece of tin. ( This is NOT common practice , however it does happen )
Remember the seller has to sell to make money, you do not have to buy. You can keep your monies in your pocket. A good bargainer is one who after hours of bargaining, can walk away without buying the item. Pisses off the seller. Knowing he lost that sale.
Be aware that sometimes u are bargaining for a few cents. Some ppl do not care to bargain for such a low amount. A true bargainer will bargain down to the last one cent in Ph which is next to nothing. Thats the real art of bargaining. Its not the money but the deal that counts to a real bargainer. Most ppl will give in cause its not really any significant amount of money. I agree, buts it the bargaining that counts. One has to be able to walk away and not buy things even if its so close to ur price. That's a true bargainer. I have walked away from some items when the price was only one cent away. It's the bargaining, not the price that matters to a true bargainer.
To others just buy it since a few cents or dollars is not much to you but can make a difference to the Balinese. You decide which system you want to use. The bargain till you get the lowest price or bargain till it's a fair price to you and to them. After all, its your money and not mine.
Markets
The BEST place to bargain. You will find one of the largest outdoor markets at Kuta. Remember to bring cash as not many of the market stalls have credit card facilities.You will find that there are hundreds of small shops all selling similar things and a great place to try out your new found bargaining skills. Wood carvings , silver wear , cassette's / CD's , Tshirts and sarongs are a few of the items laid out to tempt you. Generally the t'shirts are copies and therefore bring a cheaper price than the originals but they do make great last minute gifts for friends stuck at home. For as little as 15,000 Rp each, you can bring an armful home and the quality is still fairly good.
Designer Stores
Stores like : Reebok , Nike , Hugo Boss , Animale are just the tip of the iceberg for what's available in Kuta Square..the location of the largest grouping of Name brand apparel shops on Bali. As these shops have to compete with the markets just outside their doors , you will find specials and sales on all year round. Some of the sales are up to 50% OFF and in some cases for old stock , 70% OFF. Although there is NO bargaining involved ( Phew you say ) The prices offered are 1/4 to 1/2 what you would pay at home. The stores are also air conditioned and are worth a pop in just to have a browse and cool off.
Makro Store:
Situated on the Denpasar bypass Rd to Sanur. At Makro you will be able to stock up on many many everyday items available in "Bulk" Great if you have a large family or there are a few of you. Makro stocks everything from electronic equipment, fridges, Microwave ovens to noodles, beer, soft drinks, water, fruit and vegetables. They also have a great range of Lollies ( Sweets ) for the children, pens pencils etc.
You have to pay 1,000Rp entrance fee p.p. ( in 2001, may be a little more now. ) They will not permit any bags or camera's into the store. There is a taxi rank outside the store in the car park. Situated app 10 mins from Kuta and 15 mins from Sanur it's well worth a visit..... ( Check they take your credit card before entering or have at least 500,000rp in cash on you. hehe )
Shopping in Villages :
Factory Outlets
Once you leave the hub's of Kuta or Sanur, you will find that each small town you visit produces its own type of goods. A small selection of these small towns and factory outlets can be visited in a days Trip to Kintamani ( Bali's still active volcano ) The tour driver will no doubt take you to one of his family or friend's shops(as they will get commission if you purchase) so if you would like to visit a particular area or shop its best to advise him before you start your journey.
BATUBALAN :
Home for Stone carvings : Traditional stone sculptures carved from soft Volcanic rock. If you have the time in bali , they will carve requests.
UBUD :
Home for paintings : The centre of the artistic scene in Bali. Originally the home of paintings in Bali but a walk along the main street of Ubud will find stores selling clothing, antiques, jewellery, homewares and handicrafts. There are also numerous Temples, ancient sites and of course, great restaurants around Ubud. You may need a day or two just to relax away from the bustle and take it all in.
CELUK :
Home of Siver and Gold smiths : Huge stores hosting a wide variety of intricately designed pieces of jewellery. Bargaining is a must however the best deals can be found in the side streets where the silver and goldsmiths work and live. Earrings, bracelets rings and brooches are just some of the pieces on offer.
TEGALALANG :
Home of the Woodcarvers : This village and the nearby villages specialise in the carving of the soft woods into sculptures. Spend some time watching these very talented craftsman at work and using only chisels and sand paper, they create statues from a few inches high to several metres.
The Art of Negotiating in Bali
There are two schools (thoughts/points of view) on the art of negotiating prices in Bali.
The first is brief and easily covered. It goes something like this.
"Sarong, sarong, you want sarong? Very cheap, morning price just looking, okay?"
"Howmachisit?"
"Morning price, cheap, you look please, how long you been here? Where you staying?"
"Just got here today, first time, staying at The Legian"
"Oooh, The Legian!, I give for you 400,000rp, but no tell my friend Okay! You my friend"
"400,00rp, how much is that in real money, let me see? Hell that's only $x dollars, I'll take it"
"You want two, what about tee shirts, Billabong, got Billabong?"
" Yeah okay, but I'm not paying more than 400,00 rp each for them"
Next school of thought.
"Sarong, sarong, you want sarong? Very cheap, morning price just looking, okay?"
"No thanks"
"Morning price, cheap, you look please, how long you been here? Where you staying?"
"Na I don't want any sarong, got heaps of them."
"Morning price, cheap, you look please, how long you been here? Where you staying?"
"Bin here ages, staying at a losman"
" Oh a losman, one more okay? Just one more sarong, I give you very cheap, morning price, good for you good for me, just one okay?"
"Howmachisit?"
"For you, cause you my friend, 40,000 rp"
"40,000?, you're dreaming, I don't even want one"
"How much your price"
"I don't want a sarong"
"How much you give me?"
" I don't want a sarong"
Goes to cross road
"Wait, wait, 30,000 okay?, 30,000 for you"
"I don't want a sarong"
"How much you give me?"
"5000"
"How much?"
"5000"
"Serious price, please"
"5000, I don't even want a bl00dy sarong"
"25,000, okay? Last price 25,000"
"10,000"
"Can't do, bankrup, serious price?"
"I can get em on Double six for 12 ta 15,000 each"
" No"
"Yeah"
"20,000 last price okay?"goes to wrap it and hand it to you.
"Na I don't want a sarong"
"For me, for me"
"I'll give ya 15,000, last price matey!" Walks away.
"Bankrupt Okay Okay 15,000 I make no money"
15,000, yes or no?""Ya, Ya. You want two?