That sounds like a fascinating experience.

There were a few times in Liberia when I just haggled enough to be proper and I never haggled over food/basic necessities. Liberians barely got by. I haggled more when the Mandingo traders would come by our house with a gunny sack full of artifacts. They’d dump out the contents on our floor and away we’d go. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, our income was similar. 🙂 –Curt

When travelling I have never bargained for a car, I normally search the Internet looking for a price I am happy to pay. At home, if I am looking to buy a new car, I do tend to barter over the price a little. I think it is almost expected here though. Most people add ono (or nearest offer) after the price so I think everyone exploits that and adds to the price to begin with. Same with house prices I would always go in with a lower offer so I suppose the skills are very similar. Maybe it was the environment in Marrakech – I knew I was getting a good deal and in reality it was cheap so I didn’t mind. Even if the locals would have paid even less for it. Is there anything you have struggled with when trying to negotiate on price? 🙂

Well thought out, thanks. And I get the third world concern. I do believe in supporting the local economy… and recognize the need. Part of my experience in bargaining is that many of the locals expect you to and double the price. You end up getting a “bargain” and they end up making a profit. Everyone is happy.:) Exploitation is something else. Ugly.

BTW… have you ever bargained for a car? –Curt

I think some things are always more emotive than others, and the price of petrol is definitely one of them. I agree I would never want someone to feel that they have been taken advantage of but for the most part, when in Marrakech, we are haggling for handmade goods and the difference in price is pence. For us, this may seem like a small win, but for them, individuals that earn nothing near the wage of an American or European, that could mean considerable more. Yes, you could argue that tourists go in daily and they probably earn a fortune from them, but that may be just the main stalls close to the squares…what about the ones in the heart of the souks that some of us wander around in the hope that we will get lost and mingle with the locals. Chances are we start the haggling process off at half the price the we would have done had we have been closer to the tourist routes anyway. For me, the price wasn’t necessarily as important as having a go. I knew what I was prepared to pay and I think if I am truthful I still got my goodies a great deal cheaper than many of our ‘tourist’ counterparts! 🙂

I know exactly what you mean. As soon as they see me starting to cave in they know they have me…and it doesn’t take long! 🙂