Shopping in India is great fun and there are many quality products you can pick up along the way. The golden rule to remember (particularly when shopping in the traditional bazaars) is that there’s no such thing as a fixed price. In other words a merchant’s only going to sell you an item for as much as he or she thinks you’re willing to pay for it…and in your case (as a foreigner) that usually means a lot more than what the locals pay!

Haggling is an art form and people tend to find the process either stressful or thoroughly enjoyable. But like it or lump it, India’s one country where you won’t be able to escape the bartering process. So (and as one self-acclaimed haggling expert) I offer you some of my favourite tips to make sure you don’t get ripped off in India!

Have a price in mind

Value an item in your own head before bargaining. If you see something you like then taking a moment alone and having a conversation with yourself is a good idea to determine how much you would be happy to spend. But never reveal this price to the merchant or you will be held to ransom for it.

 

Pool together with other travellers and buy in bulk

If you’re in a group and more than one of you wants a particular item then shop together as you’ll usually have some leverage over price when buying more than one.

 

Ask locals for price guides

This tip is helpful if you’re buying everyday items like fruit and veg or using rickshaws to move around town. If I’m new to a place then I’ll always ask the doorman or hotel manager how much a local journey usually costs in a taxi or rickshaw, just so I have a figure in my head before traveling.

 

The walkaway trick

This one’s a favourite of mine. Firstly look stunned when the merchant tells you the price of something. Drop your jaw, open your eyes and if you’re particularly confident then say “Kitne? Kamal Ho gaya!” (“How much did you say? That’s astonishing!”). Then name a good price you would be willing to pay for the item. If the merchant doesn’t comply, simply turn around and walk away slowly. Usually you will be called back if the vendor is happy to make a deal.

 

Never be rude or intimidating

No one wants to strike a deal with someone who comes across as being rude, arrogant or threatening. While the process of haggling can get quite heated at times, always keep a calm mind and remember if you keep smiling and remain polite then you’re more likely to get a better deal.

 

Always start with a ludicrously low price

If the merchant asks you to name a price then come up with some crazily low figure. This will show the merchant that you’re confident with haggling and you’ll then usually meet in the middle at a reasonable rate.

 

Never appear to be over keen

If you really like a particular product then save your admirations till later. If the seller picks up on this then he/she is less likely to offer you a discount.

 

Look for weaknesses and defects

Try to pick up any defects with the product. If it’s a piece of clothing then pull at the seams and make sure it’s well made. If you can highlight any imperfections to the seller then you’re well positioned to strike a good deal.

 

Shop around

Often you’ll find when shopping in India (particularly at bazaars and busy high streets) that there’ll be more than one merchant selling the same product. In this way, it’s always good practice to browse through a few stalls and ask the price of a particular item, so you can determine the going rate. Information is power!

 

Arrive early or late

Indian shopkeepers have this superstition about the first and last customer of the day. They’re always particularly grateful to the gods for offering these customers and many times you’ll see shopkeepers kiss the cash you hand over and raise it up towards the Gods in a thankful gesture. Knowing this, there’s a good chance you can strike a deal purely on the basis of being the first or last customer in line. It’s also especially useful to visit markets at the end of the day, when sellers might reduce prices to move old stock.