In Reply to: confused about bartering posted by Nik7 on Wednesday, 9. February 2005 at 14:17 Bali Time:
the best bargainer is my mum. She says, start at one quarter and see how fast they come down before moving up.
I add the following:
1. If you say you'll come back tomorrow, do it and they'll treat you well.
2. Don't quibble over 50Rp.
3. They will only sell if they are making a profit, no matter what they say to you. The profit may only be Rp1,000, but that won't matter if they are having fun and making friends. Besides, a chump will come along tomorrow and pay two times too much.
4. No matter how much you pay, I guarantee you'll find someone around the corner who would have sold it to you cheaper - they probably wouldn't have, but you may go to them the next time!
5. Remember, smile and have fun and it won't matter how much.
Oh, and there'll be a tourist back at the hotel saying, "you paid THAT much?" Don't pay any attention to them.