The Art of Haggling
   
1    Haggling (bargaining) is common in many countries, such as Nepal. If you don't haggle, it is more than likely that you will pay an inflated price, because vendors expect a bit of haggling and state their prices higher than what they expect to receive.
2    The key to making a good deal is knowing the right price, try to have a rough understanding of the item's value before you start haggling. Look at your hotel gift shop, and government-run craft shops, they  generally have (high) fixed prices, but they will at least give you an upper boundary.
3    There is always a "locals" right price, and a "tourist" right price. To find out how much something should cost, ask other people what they paid for similar goods and try to make a better deal, ask your guest house owner, or another local who doesnt have anything to gain . If you buy several similar items, try to make a better deal each time.
4    Be friendly and courteous (but firm) in your negotiations. If the shop or stall owner takes a personal liking to you, you will almost always get a better deal.
5    You may well be offered a drink and snacks, and asked to "come in and sit down". You can accept it and it does not mean you have to buy anything. Although you may feel somewhat more "guilty", and more inclined to buy something, if you do. Be strong-willed.
6    Be honest. If you make a counteroffer, you're now committed to that price. Don't waste your time or the seller's time bargaining if you have no intention of buying.
7    Shop owners invariably start with an higher than expected price, the initial starting price can sometimes be insanely high. This may put you off, don't be, recognise that some vendors can be (and expect to be) haggled down. So even if the initial offer seems ridiculous, haggling may still be worthwhile; keep to your budget and state your price. If you have no joy, be happy to walk away.
8    Just as sellers often start with absurdly high prices, you can do similar by stating a price that is much lower than what you expect, or want to pay. This gives you room to "haggle" and negotiate.
9    If the sellers initial price is too high by far, feel free to laugh or show astonishment in some way. This is usually expected and will quickly indicate to the vendor that you are aware of the item's real value, even if you're not.
10    A common move is to say "you're not interested" and start walking off. You will invariably get at least two offers, each lower than the previous. The alternative response, is for the seller to ask "How much you pay me?" (or words to that effect), which acknowledges the fact that they recognise that they are loosing a possible sale.
11    An alternative approach, if there is more than one of you, You want the item, but she holds the purse strings and won't pay the price, he / she needs convincing, and that means a lower price..
12    Be strong. Don't let them get to you, no matter how hard they push.
13    Do not let unknown locals help you bargain or find what you need. You will end up paying an additional commission for them.
14    If something particular grabs your attention, try not to show too much interest in the item, or the vendor will know that they're your only choice and price accordingly.
15    Find two sellers with the same products and play one off against the other.
16    Remember, some shop owners indulge in a type of sport, at yours and mine expense, whereby having bought something from a competitor, they will ask how much you paid for it, and then say , they would have sold it for a tenth of the price.
17    Choose your battles. By all means bargain when buying a carpet from a posh bazaar shop. But if a bottle of water is too expensive, buy it somewhere else.
18    Even in cultures where haggling is the norm, many items do have fixed prices. depending on where you buy them & what you are buying. For example, groceries and alcohol often have fixed prices. If you are asked to pay €5 for a bottle of water, do not start haggling, go somewhere else. Do not haggle when buying e.g. bus tickets; check for a price list in the bus terminal or ask the other passengers in the line or look over the shoulder of the one in front of you to see what the locals pay.
19    Do not let the other person "lose face". Often it is said that "everything is negotiable" - but it isn't. Loss of face is never negotiable. Be aware that the person with whom you are dealing has a family and responsibilities. You are trying to find an agreed position.
20    Remember that vendors are generally not evil swindlers attempting to trick people out of their hard-earned money; they are often businessmen working to support their families. When haggling, your goal is not to eliminate their profit, but to find a mutually satisfactory price.
21    The over-riding principle is, don't take it too seriously. Have a sense of humor and know when to accept an offer. Remember that usually the amounts you are arguing over are actually a pittance to a traveler from the West, but might mean far more to the vendor.