Straw Market Strategy?

[king kamehameha]

Is there a strategy to getting good deals at the straw market in Nassau? every time we go , we must be lucky because everything is "on sale" that day. How do you experts barter for a lower price on items such as wood carvings or Conch shells etc.?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is there a strategy to getting good deals at the straw market in Nassau? every time we go , we must be lucky because everything is "on sale" that day. How do you experts barter for a lower price on items such as wood carvings or Conch shells etc.?

Typically, the first move (after seller has told you their "rock bottom" price) is a skeptical look, putting the item down and saying "too much". Start to turn away. Many times this will render a better offer. Sometimes, I will counter that offer with a lower price (generally about 50%-60% of the original price, and go from there.

Hubby leaves the bartering to me, he gets self-conscience about such things.

 

[king kamehameha]

Typically, the first move (after seller has told you their "rock bottom" price) is a skeptical look, putting the item down and saying "too much". Start to turn away. Many times this will render a better offer. Sometimes, I will counter that offer with a lower price (generally about 50%-60% of the original price, and go from there.

Hubby leaves the bartering to me, he gets self-conscience about such things.

Thank you for the info. You are very knowledgable when it comes to cruises as I see your posts all the time.

 

[over50visits]

We've visited the straw market many times over the years. We always, always get the best price if we truly don't care whether we can buy the item or not. The ladies there are very good at bargaining, psychology, and group support. You can't play them off against each other, and you can't get anything for a steal. Also, you need to understand that much of the stuff if from Korea and other sources, not native Bahamian crafts (unfortunately).

But, it is iconic, and something we've all heard of, and personally I love visiting and talking with them, mostly because I don't want to buy. If I find something that might be a picturesque souvenir, I'll get a price, say it's too much, offer about half as much, and if they say no walk off. For real, since I can live without most of the junk there. More often than not they'll eventually take my offer. It may not be local, but at least I purchased it in Nassau.

I miss the market from the 90s when there were real local crafts, and I miss the tent market from a few years ago which was crowded, alive, and vibrant. The new market is clean, bright, uncrowded, and in my opinion NOT the place to get real Bahamian crafts. But, after saying all that, I usually take a pass through just to "say hello" and see their interactions with all the tourists!

 

[Anonny]

I've heard people say to stay away from the Straw Market, the usual advice is to just stay on the ship. But, I'm curious about it and would like to go in. Knowing my souvenir shopping habits, I'm very unlikely to buy anything. Will I be harassed just waking around looking?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've heard people say to stay away from the Straw Market, the usual advice is to just stay on the ship. But, I'm curious about it and would like to go in. Knowing my souvenir shopping habits, I'm very unlikely to buy anything. Will I be harassed just waking around looking?

We weren't harassed to purchase stuff. But, then we sort just kept walking.

 

[mmouse37]

All you need is a polite "no thank you"

MJ

 

[over50visits]

I've heard people say to stay away from the Straw Market, the usual advice is to just stay on the ship. But, I'm curious about it and would like to go in. Knowing my souvenir shopping habits, I'm very unlikely to buy anything. Will I be harassed just waking around looking?

Harassed? Kind of depends on your definition, really. They will all try to sell you something, some are insistent, but we relish in the fun and smile, make eye contact, say hello, and it really all just rolls off. We find them to be nice ladies, making a living. Our visits are always a delight. We've never, ever felt bothered or intimidated. The guys selling tours when you first enter the port, and the hair braiders and carriage rides there, seem more pushy than the straw market to us. They really want us to look at everything they have, and we often do pause and browse, but no one has EVER followed us around or blocked our moving on. Ever.

The straw market really is colorful junk, and the new one is roomy, bright, and clean, so go and enjoy.

 

[dcassetta]

Is there a strategy to getting good deals at the straw market in Nassau? every time we go , we must be lucky because everything is "on sale" that day. How do you experts barter for a lower price on items such as wood carvings or Conch shells etc.?

I am not much of a bargainer, so I can't offer any advice there. But if you do buy a conch shell in Nassau, keep your receipt. Some species, particularly the queen conch, are protected and can only be brought in from certain Caribbean countries. The Bahamas is a place where conch shells can be purchased, but make sure and keep your receipt so that you don't have any issues at customs and border patrol.

 

[funfam]

I found the best time to go is December 26th. That is Junkanoo and they are all a bit worse for the wear from the holiday. I was able to shop without more than the usual "hey pretty lady" bit most of the sellers didn't even get up. I ended up with 4 bracelets for the cost of one on my last trip

 

[lizabu]

My husband is the barterer in our family, he really enjoys it. I'm not sure why people don't like the straw market. It's like any flea market. The first thing we do is walk around scoping things out. You will notice different sellers with the same products and it gives you an idea of the going prices. Once you've spotted the item you want you don't want to act like you want the item too much. From there DH will usually offer half of the asking price and the seller will counter. If your not happy with the price be prepared to walk away. Lots of times the seller will stop you and strike a deal. If not well there's always the next booth. You could probably negotiate a really cheap price if you want to but at the same time you want to be fair and not take advantage.

 

[Yougotit]

I love bargaining on vacation!
My favourite strategy involves carrying smaller bills and keeping them strategically divided between several pockets/locations.
When I see something that I really want I will ask how much it is, and offer the amount just under what I am willing to pay.. That amount is usually MUCH lower than the asking price (and just under the amount in one pocket or the combination of several) I stick to my amount at first and eventually say that all I have is ( actual amount I am willing to pay, total amount in one pocket or between the combination of several) and ask if they will accept that. If so (and it usually is) we have ourselves a deal, the seller is happy thinking they got the most they could from me and I walk away without spending any more than I really wanted. It helps when you don't need to ask for change and you don't appear to have additional money on you to spend.
Happy bargaining!

 

[Donna3271]

I've heard people say to stay away from the Straw Market, the usual advice is to just stay on the ship. But, I'm curious about it and would like to go in. Knowing my souvenir shopping habits, I'm very unlikely to buy anything. Will I be harassed just waking around looking?

I avoid it! The last time I went, after a "polite" no thanks, I did not purchase from the vendor, when I walked away, they started calling me a "Witch" (I have long black hair, am thin, and had on a long black sundress). Of course, I did not respond, but was taken aback. We usually skip getting off the boat at Nassau.

To be clear, I was very polite...I was not threatened by anyone, nor did I feel in danger, but I felt upset and will not return there.

 

[king kamehameha]

I am not much of a bargainer, so I can't offer any advice there. But if you do buy a conch shell in Nassau, keep your receipt. Some species, particularly the queen conch, are protected and can only be brought in from certain Caribbean countries. The Bahamas is a place where conch shells can be purchased, but make sure and keep your receipt so that you don't have any issues at customs and border patrol.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[lizabu]

I love bargaining on vacation!
My favourite strategy involves carrying smaller bills and keeping them strategically divided between several pockets/locations.
When I see something that I really want I will ask how much it is, and offer the amount just under what I am willing to pay.. That amount is usually MUCH lower than the asking price (and just under the amount in one pocket or the combination of several) I stick to my amount at first and eventually say that all I have is ( actual amount I am willing to pay, total amount in one pocket or between the combination of several) and ask if they will accept that. If so (and it usually is) we have ourselves a deal, the seller is happy thinking they got the most they could from me and I walk away without spending any more than I really wanted. It helps when you don't need to ask for change and you don't appear to have additional money on you to spend.
Happy bargaining!

So true...small bill are essential. Last thing you want to do is haggle over a couple bucks and pull out a wad of big bills.

 

[MUN]

I've heard people say to stay away from the Straw Market, the usual advice is to just stay on the ship. But, I'm curious about it and would like to go in. Knowing my souvenir shopping habits, I'm very unlikely to buy anything. Will I be harassed just waking around looking?

Some people really don't like Nassau. I've always enjoyed my visits. My experiences have been positive. PrincessShmoo offers good advice on how to get a good price. Enjoy your cruise!

MUN

 

[Tami0220]

I avoid it! The last time I went, after a "polite" no thanks, I did not purchase from the vendor, when I walked away, they started calling me a "Witch" (I have long black hair, am thin, and had on a long black sundress). Of course, I did not respond, but was taken aback. We usually skip getting off the boat at Nassau.


Oh I would have loved that. I would have turned around muttered some fake words and made some hand signals. Could have been very fun.


To be clear, I was very polite...I was not threatened by anyone, nor did I feel in danger, but I felt upset and will not return there.

 

[Anonny]

I assume the essential haggling small bills are U. S. dollars, the same thing we use for room service tips?

 

[over50visits]

I assume the essential haggling small bills are U. S. dollars, the same thing we use for room service tips?

Yes - in all our visits to Nassau we have only used US dollars everywhere. And gotten change in US dollars. We wanted a Bahamian bill once, and the vendor had to ask her friends for one!

I like the PP idea of putting a few bucks in one pocket, then you can pull them out, count them, and say that's all you have

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

We had someone from Tunisia, which is also a bargaining society give us similar advice to the other people here:

1. Make the vendor name a price, don't ever tell them what you'll pay before they do.
2. If you aren't willing to pay at least 50% of their price, walk away, don't enter into the bargain.
3. Keep your money separated into smaller groups of bills, this allows you to do the "This is all I have".

I used this to great advantage there when all I really did have was 20 Euro and I wanted a brass Aladdin lamp. The vendor started out at 120, so I tried to decline and leave, and went down by 20s when I kept insisting that the 20 Euro was all I had and I kept trying to leave the shop, it was a skinny galley style shop and he was between me and the exit. Finally, he took the 20 for it (it's a really nice heavy solid brass lamp with inlaid enamel), leaving me amazed that he originally asked 120! I never felt scared that he wouldn't let me leave, but I didn't want to be rude and shove him out of the way either!