Bargaining 101: How to Negotiate while Shopping in India

The fact that there is a blog on how to negotiate while shopping in India shows how much bargaining is a part of India’s culture. No matter how much money you have, the satisfaction of using some solid bargaining skills to get a product at a much lower cost is unmatched. Locals in India do it, and shopkeepers in India expect you to do it.

While bargaining is not a concept that Westerners are familiar with, and might even feel embarrassed to do it, all we have to say is, try it once. It is a fun experience, not unlike a game between you and the shopkeeper to arrive at a compromise that works for both parties. But how do you bargain? Read on to find out!

Do your research

Before you start shopping in India, you need to do some research first. Check the usual prices of the items you are interested in buying. This will help you negotiate better.

Look online, visit some fixed price stores, and ask the locals about the actual prices of goods that you should expect.

Fix your budget

Shopping in India is a fun experience, and you can buy a lot of things for a comfortable price. Because of this, it is easy to go overboard with shopping, that too at a higher price simply because you can afford to pay it.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, fix a budget for yourself. Then try to get as many items as you can within that amount. It is a great activity and you will end up with some amazing stuff!

Ask the price

The first thing to do when you like an item is to ask the price of that item without seeming too excited about it. If the shopkeeper realizes that you really, really like something and would definitely buy it, they will quote a high price for it and will refuse to bargain. So act nonchalant as you ask the shopkeeper about the price for that item.

Retort with half the price

Once he tells you the price, which will almost always be much higher than its actual cost, reply with half of the asking price. For example, if the shopkeeper asks you for INR 500 for a shirt, immediately bring the price down to INR 250.

It might seem insensitive to ask for a price so low than what the shopkeepers are asking, but they usually ask for a higher price, because the people who do not bargain usually pay the asked price – a profit for the shopkeeper.

Plus, the shopkeepers ask for a higher price from foreigners than from Indians, because they feel that the foreigners don’t know much about bargaining and will pay any price they ask, since they think they can afford it.

Build a relationship

Be nice. If you try to genuinely talk to the shopkeepers about their business and life, they will feel invested and might give you a good deal. Plus, you will learn more about the local culture and get an insight into their everyday lives. Make the other person feel good.

Often, the shopkeepers might try to strike up a conversation with you as well. Sometimes, it’s genuine curiosity, and sometimes, it is to gauge whether you have been here long enough to bargain. Either way, don’t avoid a conversation – it’s all fun.

Check for defects

If you want to take your bargaining debate to the next level, check for flaws or defects in the product that you are interested in. there is a good chance that the item might have a slight flaw that doesn’t impact its functionality, but is good enough to get you a discount. For example, you might find an unnoticeable scratch, or a tiny dent in an item, or maybe a loose stitch or thread in a clothing – you can immediately ask for some extra discount on such items since you are taking them off the sellers’ hands.

Be prepared to walk away

If the shopkeeper isn’t lowering the price, walk away. Usually, he will call after you, asking for the price you wanted, or a price higher than you wanted but lower than what he initially asked for. If he doesn’t call after you, it means that you were asking for a much lower price, and if you really want the item, you will need to swallow your self-respect and go back and buy it. It’s all fun and games, so the shopkeeper isn’t going to embarrass you. But if you don’t want to do that, you will just have to try and find a cheaper item someplace else.

Be polite

Lastly, remember that bargaining is a fun experience. It is not just negotiating for an item – it is a cultural exchange. Be mindful of the way you talk to the seller, because it will reflect how you view them and their culture.

Always be polite with the shopkeepers. Do it with a smile and a few local phrases, and you might get yourself a great deal! However much you haggle for an item, be respectful of the shopkeepers.

What not to do

There are a few things you should not do while bargaining.

Don’t feel awkward

Bargaining may seem awkward at first, but it is a way of life in Indian street shopping. It is a fun game – the shopkeepers too expect you to bargain with them. After all, you are only saving your hard-earned money, so you don’t need to feel embarrassed or guilty about asking for a lower price for an item.

Don’t walk away after agreeing on the price

If you haggle for a while and the seller accepts your price, you have to buy it. Don’t continue the bargain, or change your mind and walk away. That is considered very rude, since you have wasted everyone’s time and efforts.

Don’t bargain with local artisans

If you are buying something handmade directly from a local artisan, please do not bargain. A lot of time and skill goes into the handmade items. There is a story behind every product and they are not a result of mass production. These local artisans work very hard but do not get their well-deserved due. Plus, they will almost never ask for an exorbitant price. So if you are buying from them and can afford to pay the price they ask for, please do so.

Don’t haggle for a tiny amount of money

Do not keep bargaining for a small amount. It is not a lot to you, but it might be a lot to the shopkeeper who is trying to earn a livelihood through this. Bargaining is all about compromise – if the two of you can come to a win-win agreement, you don’t need to push it further.

Don’t bargain at fixed price stores

Most fixed price stores won’t bargain with you, so don’t waste your time. You might still ask them for a lower price once, but if they deny it, then that’s that. Also, there are many shops that sell items at MRP, meaning Maximum Retail Price. If they do, the prices are fixed and you won’t get anywhere with bargaining.

Things to remember

• The early bird catches the worm. Almost all shopkeepers in India consider the first sale of the day to be lucky or auspicious, so they usually accept the price you ask for it; if not, they will still give you a much better deal. So, shop early!
• If you are happy with the initial price, pay it. Don’t bargain just for the sake of bargaining. If you think you are paying the item’s worth, don’t try to haggle with the shopkeepers who are just trying to make a living. You wouldn’t bargain at stores like Chanel or Zara, so try to let go of a few rupees if you are getting a good price for the item.
• If you buy more, you can get a better price. Usually when you buy in bulk, shopkeepers tend to give a good discount on all the items, since they are making a big sale in one go.
• Practice makes perfect. You might not be able to bargain the way you expected the first time, but that’s okay. Bargaining improves with practice.

Some popular street markets in India

Colaba Causeway, Mumbai

Colaba Causeway is a popular market in Mumbai with locals and foreigners alike. High-fashion clothes, jewelry, bags, and shoes are found aplenty in this market.

Sarojini Market, Delhi

Sarojini Market is one of the best markets in India to buy items at an extremely cheap rate. Streets full of fashionable clothes, bags, and shoes, along with homeware and other stuff will keep you busy for hours.

Arpora Sunday Night Market, Goa

This vibrant flea market in Goa has everything from clothes, jewelry, and home decor to beer and handicrafts. The market opens in the evening after 6 p.m. You can buy bohemian items and junk jewelry at a reasonable price here.

Hazratganj Market, Lucknow

Hazratganj Market offers you the best of street food and the famous Chikan Kari handloom at reasonable prices. Do not miss a visit to the market if you are in Lucknow.

New Market, Kolkata

Earlier known as Hogg Saheber Bazaar, New Market has clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, meat, and poultry, making it a one-stop shop for all your needs. The famous Bengali saree can be found here.

Commercial Street, Bangalore

Commercial Street is a very organized market. The colorful market showcases quality products at very affordable prices.

Shopping in India is a fun, rewarding experience. You get amazing items at very affordable rates. A part of this experience is bargaining, practiced almost everywhere in India. It might feel strange at first, but once you get the hang of it, there will be no stopping you! So, when are you planning a trip to India to shop your heart out? Contact us, and we will plan the perfect trip for you, customized according to your requirements!