Why doesn't the average American understand the concept of haggling?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Tingkai
I haggle all the time in Lane Crawford. Just kidding.

What about for computer equipment and games? Or what about in street or wet markets?

At places like the Mongkok Computer Centre and Golden Centre, computer equipment and games have price tags on them. Sure, you can bargain to a lower price if you get an entire system, but unlikely if all you want is just a network card or a new HDD.

Originally posted by Tingkai
Edit:
A couple of weeks ago I bought two Gameboy games for my nephew. The seller said the price was HK$200 total. I asked for a discount and he sold it to me for HK $180 (meanwhile ToyRus was selling them for about $350 each).

When I buy stuff from small pharmacies, I often ask for a get a discount.

My general rule in HK is that if it doesn't have a specific pricetag then I haggle.

There's an excellent pharmacy called Clover right on Nathan Road. Nice low prices.

If you buy stuff from small stalls and shops like those along Apliu Street. I wouldn't bother unless I am buying some expensive items such as a mobile, but not rechargable batteries.

For wet markets you can usually get the end off. Say you can haggle to pay $10 for goods priced at $10.50 or something. A bit silly if you ask me.

[ravagon]

I don't know about Americans so much but the more useful travel agencies generally advise against going anywhere (or even being present at the same place and time) with any tourist of even remote Japanese ancestry when in a bartering economy.
A flash of any form of currency resembling the Yen and prices triple - instantly.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by DanS
Having a guaranteed room is much more valuable to an American than somebody else, because our time is more valuable to us.

Yup, the rest of us poor folk don't make money and we's got lots and lots of vacation time cause we just sitting on our backsides most of da year. Not like them rich Yankee folks whos work so hard and rich that dey time is more valuable than our times.

[Alexander's Horse]

Start at one third the price, finish at half price. That's normal in Asia for foreigners.

Why pay double?

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
For wet markets you can usually get the end off. Say you can haggle to pay $10 for goods priced at $10.50 or something. A bit silly if you ask me.

There's an old saying: Take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.

[Alexander's Horse]

I'm glad Americans don't haggle cos if they did it could probably get ugly real fast. This is not a nation known for its tact.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger

For wet markets you can usually get the end off. Say you can haggle to pay $10 for goods priced at $10.50 or something. A bit silly if you ask me.

This may be true in some places and for some items but not everywhere. I was in a situation a while ago when I was offered a price of 2000rp for something or other - a price I rejected after a little consideration.
The vendors next proposal was 200rp. I almost fell flat on my face. A handy lesson that one. (In his defense the vendor in question was a kid aged between about 8 & 10 years old but still ...).

[Dinner]

I saw lots of haggling being done by Americans when I was in Thailand. It just kind of depends where you are and what sort of tourist your dealing with.

[DanS]

Not like them rich Yankee folks whos work so hard and rich that dey time is more valuable than our times.

The average American works about 1/3 more hours than the average European and has about 1/3 the vacation.

It's not so much that our time is more valuable than ROW, but our vacation time definitely is.

Not trying to be condescending.

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by DanS

The average American works about 1/3 more hours than the average European and has about 1/3 the vacation.

Well that is your own stupid fault - don't blame us.

[Tuberski]

Originally posted by Oerdin
I saw lots of haggling being done by Americans when I was in Thailand. It just kind of depends where you are and what sort of tourist your dealing with.

Sure, but only in "massage parlors"



ACK!

[DuncanK]

Do they still stand outside the strip joints topless and try to get you to come inside?

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by DuncanK
Do they still stand outside the strip joints topless and try to get you to come inside?

They did the last time I walked down Bourbon Street.

[DuncanK]

It's very cool when women walk down the street naked. When I was there we would just be walking along and a naked lady would just walk by us.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by ravagon
This may be true in some places and for some items but not everywhere. I was in a situation a while ago when I was offered a price of 2000rp for something or other - a price I rejected after a little consideration.
The vendors next proposal was 200rp. I almost fell flat on my face. A handy lesson that one. (In his defense the vendor in question was a kid aged between about 8 & 10 years old but still ...).

10x difference, now that's interesting. (Un)fortunately, that doesn't happen at the local wet markets very often. It's definitely worth it to shop around when you visit other countries. Better yet, find out beforehand how much various items cost.