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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Chopstix
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
Location: Nowon Seoul
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 Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 5:42 am Post subject: Any successful tactics for bartering |
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| I am constantly disheartened as a freind of mine always seems to get the same thing as me at a cheaper price! Does anyone have some proven ways to beome a successful barterer? Any favorite lines or body language that seems effective? |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:06 am Post subject: |
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The experienced storekeepers are absolute masters at making a sale. Notice how they flatter you, then make you wait, appear disinterested and coy, etc, until you shell out for that thing, and then pretend your item has been especially discounted.
I'm new to the game too, and most times don't really care how much I pay so long as I get exactly what I'm looking for.
However I have found a few things that work:
1) when you walk into the shop, appear disinterested and don't even make eye contact with the seller for a while.
2) Don't give an enthusiastic response to all their big welcome BS.
3) Don't engage in small talk/ friendly conversation until after you've bought the thing.
4) A bit of humour and persistence, almost harrassment is advisable when haggling for a lower price, even a fake "I'm leaving" display.
5)Focus in your mind exactly what you want and how much you're prepared to pay, don't wander off track. |
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Son Deureo!
Joined: 30 Apr 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 7:06 am Post subject: |
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I'm not really the best at haggling either, but a few things that have worked for me have been:
Asking for the prices of several individual items, then asking for a volume discount if I buy them all.
After picking out several items, asking them to throw something else in for free.
It seems to be pretty acceptable to just shamelessly ask for discounts and free stuff for no particular reason. If I could get over my silly hangups over this, I'd definitely be getting much better prices and more free stuff. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 7:48 am Post subject: |
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| Pull a shotgun on the storekeeper. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 8:19 am Post subject: |
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I've had a lot of fun with this method in Thailand:
Start at a reasonable price, then the seller will make you a higher offer, you're then expected to name a price that is higher than your original offer but lower than his offer, but instead you name a price that is lower than your original offer. The seller will get all confused and upset. Make a big deal of apologising and saying, "Ok, yes, you're absolutely right, that's not a fair price, ok ok, let me see, hmmm, how about ... " and then naming an even lower price! Continue the process until the seller is about to have a hernia. Loads of free fun for the whole family!!! |
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Grotto
Joined: 21 Mar 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 4:05 pm Post subject: haggling |
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When I go shopping I usually look at the item ask the price then moan...ohhh thats too bad, its so nice I would love to buy it but its so expensive......they usually counter with how much were you looking to spend.....I usually quote 1/2 to 2/3 of the price .... often they go 'okay'.
If they dont come down I leave the store sometimes come back an hour or so later and say that the store down the street has the same item for sale for 'x price' I would rather buy from you because I think you are a good person  flash a dazzling smile.
A little flattery goes a long ways. |
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jesse livermore
Joined: 24 Jun 2003
Location: 2nd floor
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: haggling |
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| Grotto wrote: |
If they dont come down I leave the store sometimes come back an hour or so later and say that the store down the street has the same item for sale for 'x price' I would rather buy from you because I think you are a good person flash a dazzling smile.
A little flattery goes a long ways. |
I used to sell cars and people would pull this on me all the time!!!
Two things I learned while bartering was
1)lowball lowball lowball. I went to school in San Diego, so we'd always go to tijuana, and no matter how much they were asking, I'd always offer a dollar. Then they'd get upset and rant and rave, and I'd say "ok ok, dollar fifty" just stick to your guns.
2)be TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY willing to walk away and never come back. If you're thinking to yourself "I'll pretend to walk away, and then come back later.." they can pick it up, somehow. I had a guy in thailand chasing me down the street trying to sell a knife to me that he wanted $10 for that I paid $3.
Also, I don't if this applies to Korea (I'm not there for another two weeks) but somebody told me that in thailand, the first sale of the day sets the tone for the day. not price wise, but if the first haggling session ends in a sale, then the day will be profitable. So be the first customer of the day and you can generally get some good deals, at least in thailand.
Jesse |
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kangnamdragon
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Any successful tactics for bartering |
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| Chopstix wrote: |
| I am constantly disheartened as a freind of mine always seems to get the same thing as me at a cheaper price! Does anyone have some proven ways to beome a successful barterer? Any favorite lines or body language that seems effective? |
Are you bartering in Korean or English? Korean always works for me. |
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Toby
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Location: Wedded Bliss
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: haggling |
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| jesse livermore wrote: |
2)be TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY willing to walk away and never come back. If you're thinking to yourself "I'll pretend to walk away, and then come back later.." they can pick it up, somehow. I had a guy in thailand chasing me down the street trying to sell a knife to me that he wanted $10 for that I paid $3.
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Had the same thing on Koh San Road and jeans. We bought three or four pairs of jeans off this guy. But, only after we had walked out and were 50 yards down the road when he came running after us. I can't remember the costs involved, but it certainly suited us more than it suited him.
Walking away here though doesn't have the same effect sadly. They just wait for another mug to walk in and buy what you were going to buy at a higher price! |
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peppermint
Joined: 13 May 2003
Location: traversing the minefields of caddishness.
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Cleavage works well, particularly at places like yongsan. . |
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Ryst Helmut
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: haggling |
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| jesse livermore wrote: |
Also, I don't if this applies to Korea (I'm not there for another two weeks) but somebody told me that in thailand, the first sale of the day sets the tone for the day. not price wise, but if the first haggling session ends in a sale, then the day will be profitable. So be the first customer of the day and you can generally get some good deals, at least in thailand.
Jesse |
Yes, and it drives me nuts, as my wife won't go shopping with me in the mornings, because I don't buy after extensive window shopping. So, I'm jinxing countless shopkeepers when I walk out (when I'm the first person in in the morning) and not make a purchase.
Haggling, well, it took me ages to get over this hangup, but here's what I do (ok, I have my wife do it, as her Korean is obviously better than mine).
I tell the first shopkeeper to tell me the lowest price they'll accept, and that I am going to shop around. I then tell the owner that if their price is comparable to others (hinting that I may even pay their higher fee, just because they were upfront...depending on difference, of course) I'll definitely come and buy from them.
Shoosh,
Ryst |
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The Lemon
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| peppermint wrote: |
| Cleavage works well, particularly at places like yongsan. . |
I tried, but had less success than you, apparently.  |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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Sometimes it's good to get a real live Korean friend to haggle for you too. I had a friend haggle for a price on a printer. Got a quote of 90K. When I went back to buy the same printer, I couldn't get the person lower than 99K.
Many countries from Korea to India there's a local price and a white man price. |
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diver
Joined: 16 Jun 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 1:16 am Post subject: |
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| kiwiboy_nz_99 wrote: |
I've had a lot of fun with this method in Thailand:
Start at a reasonable price, then the seller will make you a higher offer, you're then expected to name a price that is higher than your original offer but lower than his offer, but instead you name a price that is lower than your original offer. The seller will get all confused and upset. Make a big deal of apologising and saying, "Ok, yes, you're absolutely right, that's not a fair price, ok ok, let me see, hmmm, how about ... " and then naming an even lower price! Continue the process until the seller is about to have a hernia. Loads of free fun for the whole family!!! |
Learned from the Corleone Business School?
Michael: Well, when Johnny was first starting out, he was signed to this personal service contract with a big band leader. And as his career got better and better, he wanted to get out of it. Now, Johnny is my father's godson. And my father went to see this band leader, and he offered him $10,000 to let Johnny go. But the band leader said no. So the next day, my father went to see him, only this time with Luca Brasi. And within an hour, he signed a release, for a certified check for $1,000.
Kay: How'd he do that?
Michael: My father made him an offer he couldn't refuse. |
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edoras
Joined: 26 Jan 2004
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2004 4:51 am Post subject: |
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If you can guess the price of an item you can put exactly that much in your wallet or purse or even a bit less. If the bank is far away it helps too. Always be in a hurry.
Also, sellers are very good at reading you. If you really want something they will know it too. Therefor, dont really want something! Be prepared to keep on miving even if they make you feel like complete rubbish and wont budge an inch. If you can keep a smile on your face as you walk away they sometimes will accept you offer it is reasonable.
Prices on next to nothing doesnt help much in ascertaining the real price on something though...
If it has a model number you can find it on the net.... |
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