How to haggle successfully?

[Bluwise]

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

[heather07]

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.

[grahamturner09]

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%

[Scunner]

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.

[Crabbit]

quote:Originally posted by grahamturner09

you may get them down 10 to 20%

You haven`t been shopping with me    

[grahamturner09]

I was talking shops scunner not the market

[grahamturner09]

Anyone that spends four hours in the market should get the item free

[Bluwise]

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!:-\

[Scunner]

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

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

[grahamturner09]

I thought 60 quid was a good price for a genuine leatherette levi belt I like mine