Uzbeks and the art of bargaining

[peacetraveler22]

Comments

[chulk_and_gek]

фух, облегчённо выдохнул. подумал, что это про вас: https://sputnik-georgia.ru/columnists/20180712/241186208/Ubijstvo-amerikanskoj-semi-v-Gruzii-kto-dal-pastuhu-ruzhe.html

показалась, что похожа:

[peacetraveler22]

This is a sad and horrible story. But I’m still alive, and living now the USA. Not Georgia.

[chulk_and_gek]

ок, отлично.

[modest_so_zvezd]

would you like to stay and live there? forever and ever

[peacetraveler22]

No, life there is too difficult and I do not like the nature. It’s very flat, with deserts. I like greenery and mountains. :)

[logofilka]

I want a coat like this. Excellent buy. I cannot guess how much it was, but sure it was less than you would pay for something similar at Anthropology.

[peacetraveler22]

I bought two coats, $40 each. I think it was a fair price for the work involved.

[logofilka]

At this price, I would not stop at just two.

[peacetraveler22]

Yes, it was very hard but space in the suitcase was limited. Plus, I was carrying several of the ceramic plates too. :)

[moskitow]

I've learned how to bargain in America :) It's a game and you have to follow the rules. I like it now, because I don't take it too serious.
I don't mind paying more when I'm abroad. It's a part of traveling experience, since you are unfamiliar with the territory and many times your are at the mercy of locals. I'm happy that I'm lucky to make enough to be able to travel and to see other places. But if I have a way ti save some money, I would. And I don't like touristy places, I like to see and experience how locals do it.
I love the ornaments! The coat too. Is it like $15-30?

[peacetraveler22]

The ornaments were about $6 each, and the coats $40 each. :)) I think I could have bargained more for the coats, but I liked the designer and I was tired, as this was the first city we visited and I was still jet lagged.

[kichiro_sora]

you put it yourself - it's not acceptable to be charged different than locals. That means the seller sees you as a cow good for milking. And buying for the first offered price would be just to confirm that you are stupid foreigner.

Generally, short research will always show the customs and realities of the country you are going to. Like in the western Europe - the bargaining is not necessary and prices are just prices. But East, Middle East, Africa and Asia is totally different story. Common sense also play a role. If they ask you $100 for some shitty thing - you know you are being ripped off. For me it's easy - I never buy souvenirs, problem solved. I travel light, and don't need things to collect dust on a shelf. But my wife loves to buy all kind of crap, often without thinking about the price.

[peacetraveler22]

Well, I do not buy shitty souvenirs either. I buy things that I will use in my home like table coverings, or these coats which I will wear in winter. I asked our local guides how much I should be paying for the things I purchased and tried to stay within this range. But, you are absolutely right. There are too many stupid foreigners who do not do research and it's quite easy to milk them. My utters are more dry. LOL. :)))

[kichiro_sora]

Those authentic coats for $40 was a steal. Here in US, you'd pay 400+ for something like this in trendy shops! And if D&G did it - it would be $4000...

[peacetraveler22]

Agree! It was a real bargain, and I'm so happy to wear these bright, decorative designs here in the boring USA.