Anyone but me feel chintzy...

[Tiiiigergirl]

when haggling with merchants over the price of souvenirs? I mean I look at the poverty of different places and just feel cheap. Am I alone?

[RellingTwin]

No, you are not alone! I hate to haggle(unless I am at a yard sale). I pay what the price tag says. I did bargin for hair braids in one time because DD wanted her whole head done, and I figure it was only costing the braider her "time" plus, I had a budget of 50.00 for hairbraiding.
I am very greatful for all God has blessed me with. It really is such a blessing I am able to take vacations. There are many who can't make ends meet, much less spend money on vacations.

On the same subject, I am planning to donate to the Cozumel childrens fund when we visit that port. It is amazing what just a few of my vacation dollars will do for those in need.The price of 2 beach towels will pay for a childs whole school year!

[paulmc80]

Well yes ... and no .. :-)

I look at haggling as how they do business in those areas and so I go along with that and do haggle. But, if I do feel that the person(s) deserve more I give them more ...... in addition to the agreed upon price. Something like a tip I guess. That way I the local customs and haggle, I feel like I got a good deal, they feel like they did good business, and I can feel good that I still did right by another person.

Boy did I make that sound complicated or what? :D

[Mjasp]

When we were in Cozumel we didn't haggle. We paid $10 for the blankets we bought, our friend paid $5, I don't know if she haggled or not as she bought them in a different place than us. So $5 may have been the price they were asking. But when I said to DH I can't believe we overpaid, his response to me was, they could use it more than us, look at it as something good you did. So now I feel better for not haggling.

Joanna

[ruvidu]

How many of you same folks go to a local flea market or garage sale at home and not haggle? How many of you pay the window sticker price for a car? I bet none is the answer.
I have traveled to Japan, Singapore and the Phillipines while in the Navy. Haggling is just a way of life. Me, I love to haggle. I know that I should be able to purchase a product for about half of what the seller originally asks. It is their culture and the way things are done.
Russ

[westjones]

My husband and I feel the same way. We don't haggle, those people can use the money more than us. I don't haggle at yard sales or flea markets. We keep cars for 10 years because we hate buying cars, but on those rare occassions where we do buy cars we do haggle a bit. With the internet, it helps. My DH found what was a reasonable price and took the printout to the different GM dealers in our area. The one that agreed to that price got the sale.
DJ

[inkkognito]

Normally, I enjoy haggling at flea markets and such, and I always do it in places like Nassau and Mexico too. I never really thought much about it until we visited Cozumel. I had haggled to purchase sunglasses for hubby and I, and we went on the Jeep Safari Tour, which passes through some residential areas. When I first saw the houses, I thought that they were abandoned...then I realized that people were actually living in them! It made me feel bad to realize that I was haggling over a couple of dollars that aren't really all that important to me but that probably represent a lot more to the poverty-stricken people. We are going to send money to sponsor a student there...I am so glad the information about the charity was posted. Seeing areas like Cozumel makes me thank God for what I have and reminds me of the importance of sharing with the less fortunate.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[inkkognito]

Normally, I enjoy haggling at flea markets and such, and I always do it in places like Nassau and Mexico too. I never really thought much about it until we visited Cozumel. I had haggled to purchase sunglasses for hubby and I, and we went on the Jeep Safari Tour, which passes through some residential areas. When I first saw the houses, I thought that they were abandoned...then I realized that people were actually living in them! It made me feel bad to realize that I was haggling over a couple of dollars that aren't really all that important to me but that probably represent a lot more to the poverty-stricken people. We are going to send money to sponsor a student there...I am so glad the information about the charity was posted. Seeing areas like Cozumel makes me thank God for what I have and reminds me of the importance of sharing with the less fortunate.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[CruellaDuVille]

Oh, man. As a frequent visitor to Mexico let me tell you when the cruise ships pull up they see you coming! I've seen it in all of the major ports. It's a drag if you're like me, just hanging out there for a week because when the ship pulls in the prices go up, up, up. Drinks up. Food up. Everything, up.

Does it bother you at all if you paid 500 bucks to get somewhere when the guy next to you paid 125 on a internet special? If so, if you like paying the extra money (believe me, they think you're stupid) go for it.

Bartering and/or haggling the price is just what's expected in a lot of countries. You either get with the culture or you don't. Your choice.

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by westjones
My husband and I feel the same way. We don't haggle, those people can use the money more than us. I don't haggle at yard sales or flea markets. We keep cars for 10 years because we hate buying cars, but on those rare occassions where we do buy cars we do haggle a bitJ

I don't ever haggle at garage sales and when I had one recently I would not deal with anyone who haggled with me...I priced the items and if they wanted them for that price then fine, if not....fine too! I also hate haggling for car prices which is why I only buy Saturns...you can even buy them online!

[paulmc80]

I bought a couple of Saturns. You know they say they don't haggle, but when I was ready to walk out the door (I really didn't want to buy a car at the time) they started tossing in all kinds of stuff. So I hung around and they tossed in more and more stuff. Now, I love Saturn! :D

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by paulmc80
I bought a couple of Saturns. You know they say they don't haggle, but when I was ready to walk out the door (I really didn't want to buy a car at the time) they started tossing in all kinds of stuff. So I hung around and they tossed in more and more stuff. Now, I love Saturn! :D
Yea they do toss in things ....they threw in 3 years worth of car care for me so I have not paid for oil changes, tire rotation and balancing or tune ups in the past 3 years!! I am going to HATE when it ends in September!!!!

[Limmer]

I think it would depend on what I was purchasing. I bought a dress in St Maarten for $10. I was happy to get something cute to wear for tropical night and I could not have found one like it for $10 here so I was happy. Maybe if I was buying jewelery or electronics or something. I also bought a tote bag from a lady on the street for $5. I had just bought one like it at WDW for $25! I felt like I was getting a great deal.

[inkkognito]

For big ticket items, I certainly would not pay a significant amount more!! But when it's a matter of a couple dollars, let them think I'm a sucker. After all, I'm the one who is returning to a cruise ship and who will eventually head home to a nice house and comfortable life, while they are most likely returning to much more modest quarters and a very different lifestyle...I'd rather that they think I'm a fool and make good use of the money.
As for cars, I am defnitely a haggler...I do all my internet research and go to the dealer prepared. When I bought my Aztek (yes, an Aztek...don't laugh, you get a LOT of vehicle for the money and when you're inside, you don't have to look at it!!), I got a supplier discount because my employer makes parts for GM (which I made sure was a good deal...you have to be careful of "discounts" and tally the true cost of the vehicle with the holdback, not just the invoice price), plus they threw in a 7-year full warranty to seal the deal.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[iluvorlando]

Barb,

Don't you just love your Aztek? I love mine!! :D

[wovenwonder]

A different look on this topic......

My cousin spent quite a few years in Haiti as a missionary. She told me how poor the country is --- I've seen pictures. But what amazed me the most was how some of the Haitian people work to leave a even worse impression on tourists so they will give them money. She has known of locals to hurt their children to make them looked deformed --- as they get more money then when people feel sorry for them. PLUS if there is one obviously handicapped child in a town locals will each take turns taking this child to the tourist area posing as if they are they childs parents. She said that they will do whatever they can to get the money. And alot of the locals that are in the tourist area doing the begging or selling their crafts are not even the worst of the worst in the country. We were talking about RCCL's private island in Labadee Haiti and this is when she began telling me of her experiences.

It is so sad to hear the horror stories. I am so thankful to be living in the good old US of A --- so help me GOD.:D

[randytenn]

AZTEK???? Did someone mention an AZTEK???

I like my Aztek. We bought it for 8000.00 below sticker (back when they couldn't hardly give them away). What a fun vehicle.

Someone looked at it, and said "That thing looks like a warthog!" (which it does)

Therefore, I know have personalized plates, "PUMBAA"

[inkkognito]

I'm glad to see some fellow Aztek lovers on DIS!!!
When I was looking to replace my Neon, I wanted something a little bigger to haul bicycles, groceries, saddles, furniture (we were in the middle of remodeling our condo), etc. At first I was looking at things like the PC Cruiser and Forrester, but my nephew told me I should look at the Pontiac Vibe. When the salesman heard what I was looking for, he said, "You should test drive an Aztek." After I stopped laughing, I said, "I'll NEVER buy one of those ugly Survivor cars!!" Famous last words :p :p :p
I named my maroon Aztek "Canyonero" (I know you Simpson fans will know what that means). I don't have personalize plates at the moment, but I plan to do some variation on Canyonero or else have DCL 5650.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[MarkRG]

Yanno Barb, you said that you don't have to see it, but you're inflicting it on the rest of us around here..... :p

On the real subject, I really am a bit put off by some of the haggling. There's a store right in my neighborhood called ABT that I have been in all of once for all the years I've lived here. Mostly because I really don't like or enjoy having to make heavy discussion just to find out how much someone wants for something. Either say so up front, or I am really not interested. Kind of why I've stuck to the more tourist areas on each of our trips.

[inkkognito]

Oh no, Mark, now you "stole" my saying!!!
That line is truly the best in that whole movie. I was after my DH for stealing it, and now someone else has it too!!!
That's okay, I've decided to change my avatar and saying weekly...I already have next week's planned.
And on the topic, visiting Labadee was one of our worst experiences on RCCL. It is billed as a "private" island, but the locals try to get a dollar from you to sit on one of the cruise-line-provided beach chairs and physically block you from leaving the restrooms to solicit money, not to mention physically grabbing you in the marketplace. I know that's to be expected in a port town, particularly in such a poor area, but that is NOT a "private island."
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[Thumper1]

There is a saying "When in Rome, Do as the Romans do". In many cultures haggling is a way of life. It is expected that one should haggle for goods. It is a person's individual choice whether to abide by the local customs or not. I'd rather respect a culture and do as they do. So in Mexico I haggle, they expect it. I'd rather know that I'm not being a dunce.

A couple of years ago I took a cruise with Carnival. I had been wanting one of the those clay suns. We went to a downtown store at the first stop and I bought one for around $20 American without haggling. I then continually saw the same item at much less prices in various types of stores. I then learned that you were expected to haggle. As I took an interest in another item and asked the price, I thought it was too much, I turned around to leave. I was then offered a lower price. I then told them too much. I was offered another price. This was when I learned that haggling was a way of life and expected. Isn't it better to respect a culture than feel sorry for it and make the locals feel embarrassed. There will always be people who are better off and less off than we are, I think it says this in the Bible somewhere. If you have a moderate income, do you want 1) the rich people to give you money or 2) respect you for your position in the world and be aware of your customs. I'd rather the latter.

[Tinkerbells Magic]

I used to feel very uncomfortable haggling with others, especially in poor areas, but I found in Cambodia and Thailand, the women vendors were actually offended if I didn't haggle. They would INSIST I counter offer and I would say no and take out my money and they would shake their heads no, grimace, and start all sorts of body language and broken English to teach me how. I was surprised how very little of the time people took advantage of me and my daughter, who clearly lived a much different existence than them. I had been warned how we would be taken advantage of constantly, especially travelling alone on one trip. I learned to haggle down to what was usually near half out of respect and then they would smile and say "Yours madam!" Then I would thank them and tip them the difference between haggled and full price and tell them the extra was theres for being such a kind person. In this matter it was acceptable to them. Not charity and done with no deception on their part. We always left with mutual smiles of happiness and head bows. They would always smile and wave as we passed back by on our way to where we were staying.

I also took this time to get to know people and understand their cultures better. There are some great conversations to be had meeting people in a foreign marketplace, especially ones the locals frequent! The people I have met travelling give me a broader view of a culture or country better than books, museums and tour guides combined. People, for me, are the most interesting part of any trip. 10 minute "windows" into other peoples lives enrich me in many ways.

I have seen the "tricks" mentioned in one of the posts above about Haiti happen in Cambodia too. Hard to believe, but true in some cases! If you look far enough or around the next corner you can see where the child is being sent from and from what group of people, or parent. In Cambodia, I never saw any child or group that looked particularly well fed and looked in good health. Most everyone showed telltale signs of living a very harsh life. They looked like they lived like most of the pop. in Cam., in poverty similar to what Barb described (and worse) on her Jeep ride in Cozumel. I am sure there are some who might not. But I know they are in the minority and I would rather give then hold back when it comes to feeding someone's stomach. I figure I have been fortunate and hardly ever spent a night hungry in my life. I have wrestled with this dilemma before in my head, as there are many angles to look at it from, and finally decided I would rather be tricked than to have inadvertently turned away from another human being in true need.

Friends travelling with us on one trip said "Those children are just taking advantage of your kindness, they have honed their "begging" skills to perfection" (which was by all appearnaces fairly accurate) and I shrugged my shoulders, "Point out the ones that you KNOW are going to go to bed on a full stomach tonight". My friend said, "I never thought about it that way."

My oldest daughter found a magnet that we keep on our fridge. Whenever I doubt what I have done or I am discouraged because I have been taken advantage of by someone (and sometimes MAD!), I look at it and it reminds me it is OK to have been made a fool. I would rather be made a fool of than disappoint myself. It says, "Give to the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you". It helps me let go of that anger and remind me that the best indeed comes back to me, in a peaceful and settled heart, that holds few regrets. It allows me to let go of my concerns, because above all else I was true to MYSELF and did what I felt was right. Giving enriches the giver.

Sincerely,

Liz :D

[westjones]

Liz,
That is beautiful!

DJ

[Fawn]

Liz....beautifully said! :D