Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Calis Beach Forum => Calis Beach Questions and Information => Topic started by: Bluwise on June 29, 2009, 20:35:14 PM

Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Bluwise on June 29, 2009, 20:35:14 PM
I have looked up the various posts under this topic but wonder if anyone has any tips please?
How far from the asking price should you expect to pay for gifts, bags etc. Half of what's initially asked, a quarter, a third - is there a general opinion on this?

If you just want to look with a view to maybe purchasing later, how do you get around this without upsetting someone (my husband says not to ask "how much" as that is seen as the beginning of a deal - but how do I know if I want to buy without asking as so many things are not priced!)

If a fairly large party (eg 6) do we try to strike a deal on a meal?  I know it's acceptable in other parts of Turkey but how about Calis?

How do you say "no thank you, just browsing" - as that's what we do for the first 10 days!

We know haggling/hassling is a way of life in Turkey and it's fine but we do want to say no sometimes without upsetting or offending.
Thanks
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: heather07 on June 29, 2009, 20:49:39 PM
I haven't bought much in Calis but haven't been hassled too much in the shops.  In Hisaronu I have found that a polite no thanks or just looking has been enough.  Any hassle after that and I will walk away.
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 21:04:58 PM
These days you do'nt tend to get much off they give you the price in pounds you may get them down 10 to 20%
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Scunner on June 29, 2009, 21:09:35 PM
Is that right Graham? I haven't bought anything haggleworthy in the market for years. Seems a shame, people should all be able to experience spending 4 hours in the baking heat under a stifling tarpaulin roof getting a starting point of sixty quid for a "genuine" Levi belt down to it's true value, 1 lira.
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Crabbit on June 29, 2009, 21:24:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by grahamturner09

you may get them down 10 to 20%



You haven`t been shopping with me    8) 8)





(http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp173/crabbit49/crab.gif)
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 21:34:13 PM
I was talking shops scunner not the market
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 21:37:41 PM
Anyone that spends four hours in the market should get the item free
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Bluwise on June 29, 2009, 21:37:44 PM
mmm, big difference of opinion here - so, 20% or 600% (never was any good at maths - that's why I don't haggle well!)
I think the markets are considerably tougher than the shops and find them quite daunting - always feel I've paid too much but when I offer what I think is reasonable I'm sure they are cursing me and invariably let me walk away - so clearly I'm too mean!:-\
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Scunner on June 29, 2009, 21:44:38 PM
No I think you have it about right. You need a bottom price (one you start from) and a lowest price (the highest you will pay). You don't expect to get your bottom price, but the lowest price is all important - if you don't get it or better then you MUST walk away. They'll come after you if it's possible to do the deal :D

The most important thing is to decide your lowest price before you go into battle, and not weaken  ;) If they can't do the price it's too expensive so walking away is the correct action to take.

Having said all that, Mrs Scunner is the family haggler. So embarrassing in the chippie :D
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 21:45:01 PM
I thought 60 quid was a good price for a genuine leatherette levi belt I like mine ;)
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Scunner on June 29, 2009, 21:50:35 PM
Yes, you still owe me £20 for it
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 22:11:16 PM
Still owe you [?]
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Scunner on June 29, 2009, 22:17:15 PM
For the Levi's belt you bought off me for £60, you only paid 40 so far  ;)
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 22:28:05 PM
I thought then that you hadn't got the donation I posted under the office door
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Scunner on June 29, 2009, 22:30:12 PM
No I got that

Shall we start again..?

How should you haggle in the Market...
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 22:42:58 PM
I only buy fruit and veg there and then I stand back and see what a turk pays
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: grahamturner09 on June 29, 2009, 22:50:02 PM
I heard you were banned from the market by the mafia anyway  ;)
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Scunner on June 29, 2009, 22:56:07 PM
I am the mafia
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: bewva on June 29, 2009, 22:56:54 PM
I don't bother with the markets any more for the same reasons Scunno pointed out. Too hot, busy and a painfull way to spend a few hours.
However I'm no expert but First rule I find is to be cheerfull and have a laugh with the shopkeeper as you haggle, Your first offer is obviously going to be far too low for him as is his first offer to you. If you cant agree you need to just say you will think about it and walk away. They will come after you if you they think you can agree a price.
The worst thing I find is that if the wife asks for a price of something just browsing they want to go through the whole rigmarole.
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: tinkerman on June 29, 2009, 23:09:26 PM
ok whatever the first price at the market go for at least half and if they say no walk away! there are plenty of stalls selling the same stuff, you will get what you want from another stall.
Shops will haggle but not as much, but again walk away if they dont come down, someone will.
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Bluwise on June 30, 2009, 00:05:39 AM
quote:
Originally posted by bewva

I don't bother with the markets any more for the same reasons Scunno pointed out. Too hot, busy and a painfull way to spend a few hours.
However I'm no expert but First rule I find is to be cheerfull and have a laugh with the shopkeeper as you haggle, Your first offer is obviously going to be far too low for him as is his first offer to you. If you cant agree you need to just say you will think about it and walk away. They will come after you if you they think you can agree a price.
The worst thing I find is that if the wife asks for a price of something just browsing they want to go through the whole rigmarole.


I agree, you have to keep it cheerful but it is draining - if you're asked for £10, most tourists will offer £5 and of course the shopkeepers/traders know this.....so you have to go so much lower and work your way back up a bit....but then they look horrified and insulted at your first offer.............I'm weary thinking about it!   [|)]
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: BlackAdder on June 30, 2009, 00:10:04 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9SFTWme6Z0
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: stoop on June 30, 2009, 00:18:32 AM
Brilliant!
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: littlereddevil on June 30, 2009, 08:13:24 AM
I think some of them have now started saying sensible prices at the start. If they come away with a crazy first price I just walk away.
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Jacqui Harvey on June 30, 2009, 08:43:14 AM
Go to any Antique Dealer in Britain and practice.  After 20 years in the business I am now expert as everyone wants to haggle with me after watching all the Antique programmes on T.V.
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: xxbilleigh-joxx on June 30, 2009, 09:47:07 AM
I always decide what i want to pay and stick to that. I always start really low and you always get that look and they say something like "lady please, i pay X ytl for this, i must make a profit."

Stick to your guns and only pay what you think its worth. i usually get bored with haggling so i just say how much i'm willing to pay, if they say no i walk away. if the deal can be done they'll call you back, if not i go elsewhere. I've had a few heartbroken looks after buying something for "cost price" but if they were not going to make a profit then they wouldnt sell.

I have found that a smile and batting of the eye-lashes works a treat too- especially in jewellery shops!.. :D

Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: philrose on June 30, 2009, 10:01:31 AM
Don't forget that if you are buying a lot of items in a shop, say light fittings, or maybe a couple of white goods it is quite normal to expect a small discount or perhaps an inexpensive item as a "present" ;)
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: june on June 30, 2009, 10:39:01 AM
I decide how much I am prepared to pay and stick to it 100%,  just got back...2 football shirts for Stuart for £10!, 2 nice pair of sandles for me £20, saw brits paying more than double this at the market, thats why they try it on....they get away with it...

Stand firm, if they let you walk away, go to another stall...it has only happened to me on a very rare occasion.

I can give lessons.....   :)   :)......blonde hair may help tho!!
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: mike A on June 30, 2009, 11:29:02 AM
"have found that a smile and batting of the eye-lashes works a treat too- especially in jewellery shops!.."

Whenever I have tried that it's always ended in trouble ;)
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: Scunner on June 30, 2009, 11:51:00 AM
You're drinking in the wrong bars Mike
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: laffa on June 30, 2009, 14:00:09 PM
I think everything should have a price on it, and if you dont agree dont buy it,:Pbit like the efes really. ;)
Title: How to haggle successfully?
Post by: kanga on June 30, 2009, 15:56:04 PM
take a turkish friend with you ,
best way