Bartering In thailand? Please HELP!!?

Question

what would be a good guide to go by when bartering prices for goods in thailand a friend that went there said that when he asks a price he cuts whatever they say down 2 3rds straight away. Does anyone else have a system they use so as not to get ripped off! My auntie went and OMG shes so naive and payed top top dollar for everything while she was there. Im going soon and dont want to end up doing the same lol.

Answer 1

down two thirds would mean that you pay 1/3 of the asking price.

In which case, cube is paying twice as much as he should.

A few things... learn thai numbers, and learn to ask the price in Thai.

Next... never ever ever pay more than 1/2 of the first price you are given, and then only if it is something you can not live without.

start at  1/4 or a 1/3 of the asking price and don't budge. when you have them at 1/2 then you do some give and take.

Do not be afraid to walk away.  If you don't walk away, you won't get the best price.  When you are walking past the same stall a few minutes later they will have a better price for you.

Never start to bargain the price of something if you have no intention of buying.

don't be agressive but be persistant.  Will you get everything you are after this way? eventually, but you may end up haggling for a few items at more than one stall.

I used to frequent tourist shopping areas while I was still new in Thailand.

I have no idea if other 'farangs' pay much less or more than I pay, but I feel like i have gotten a good deal.

My wife tells me I barter better than she does but she still gets things cheaper cause she's Thai.

EDIT: Not to belabor the point but 2/3rds is twice 1/3 (1/3*2=2/3), trust me.  So if Advice is given to someone to barter for 2/3rds the asking price, when the person asking uses 1/3, they way I see it 2/3rds is twice 1/3.  I really did not think it is that difficult to understand.  If something is 'down 2/3rds' it means that it started at 100% (3/3rds) and was reduced by 2/3rds leaving 1/3rd as the point to which it is down.

Answer 2

Divide by 3 and multiply by 2 is the price, then say Lud Noi Na (means discount a little) look sad and desperately want to have the thing.

Ok. James, divide by 3 and multiply by 2 meaning I'm paying 2/3 of the actual price not twice more. (@#?!!)

I did my master in negotiation and probably inherit the technique in my gene from my mother side of the family: they all do very well in bargaining.

First, you make the seller likes you. They must first like you to start a good negotiation.

Then, make sure you are an important customer; either be the first of the day or first of the item or anything of the kind. Sellers are superstitious. Some believe if they s***w up the first customer, they'd s***w up the rest of the day.

After that, I apply all the negotiation skill I've learned; starting from rocking the baby. (you know having a baby in the bucket and rock it until all the water gone out and you still have the baby).

Never say bad thing about the product or the shop or the seller. They are good, that's why you're interested in.

Walk away only as the last resort, because you can't be doing that twice. This will give in your position so much if you walk away and come back by yourself.

Try the tactic of you will be more friends later on to buy more as regular customer.

To the end, I really faithfully recommend you buy the d**n thing anyway because most of the things in Thailand are so cheap that will not make you go bankrupt anyway.

Good luck and happy shopping.

Answer 3

It really depends on the item and how competitive they are trying to be with the other vendors - - I know of no formula for this however there is nothing better than having some knowledge - - shop around, price things out, do your homework - - thats the game -