In Reply to: signed bitter and twisted... posted by meandmaverick on Thursday, 5. May 2011 at 23:25 Bali Time:
You'll get better at bargaining as you go. Driving your holiday dollar further will necessitate your fine tuning of this skill.
You're definitely not the first tourist to pay too much for something on your first visit to Bali.
May I quickly put your 'rip off' in perspective?
Rp20,000 for a beer is a touch over AUD2.00. Hardly sheep stations is it? OK, you probably should've paid around Rp15,000......that's about 50 cents difference.
Sounds like bargaining isn't your strong suit
Try the 'walk away' tactic. If you don't like the price, just walk away. If they can move on a price they'll call you back real quick with a better counter offer.
The name of the game is getting the money out your pocket and into theirs. You're the boss. You're in control.
Only pay what YOU want to pay.
But don't forget, there's no such thing as 'the right price' when it comes to bargaining. If YOU are happy with the price, then it's the right price.
Kuta is the tourist mecca of Bali and has the highest concentration of aggressive sellers on the island.
They've been doing it since they were kids selling postcards on the beach and they can smell your lack of bargaining prowess like you wouldn't believe.
Toughen up! Get harder and meaner!......but always with a smile and a 'don't mess with me' demeanor.
Remember, they're just trying to make a living from a relatively affluent tourist. If they can fast track there road to riches by extracting extra cash out of you, then they will.
If you want to do a tour, just find any one of half a dozen drivers right outside your resort/hotel.
Don't pay any more than Rp450,000 for a full day (8-10 hours) tour and Rp250,000 for a half day tour.
Don't pay them anything upfront and YOU tell them what you want to see and where you want to go.
If after your tour you like and trust your driver, then he's not hard to find to do another one.
Reeelllaaaxxx!!!......and enjoy.
By the end of your holiday you'll love Bali and hopefully made some new friends.