Do you barter the price when buying your souvenirs?

Let's say you're in some Caribbean port and you go into a shop to buy souvenirs. You shop for a half hour for coffee mugs, t-shirts, key chains etc. Do you pay the listed price for all the items or try to negotiate a better deal for the lot?

If it is an actual shop than it's very likely that you'll pay the price marked on the item, just like any other store. If it is a straw market/sidewalk vendor then you might be able to negotiate the price.

As a rule shops will not let you negotiate on prices for items.

To do that you need to shop at the vendors on the street and the tents set up at some of the piers.

Usually pay the listed price unless, as sparks and krazy posted, its a street side/straw market vendor. For items like mugs, keychains and t-shirts, you'll find the exact same thing in a number of stores.

With some of the more "mom and pop" type shops, we've been known to say loud enough for the store owner to hear that its too expensive or that we can find it cheaper at another store and on occasion, they've lowered the price - doesn't happen often but it has happened.

Follow up question, do you carry small bills like $5 and $10 so you can say, "I'd love that but I only have $10" so you can get it half price?

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Follow up question, do you carry small bills like $5 and $10 so you can say, "I'd love that but I only have $10" so you can get it half price?

 

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I've known people to do that (and it's worked for them), but it's not a technique that I would use.

I've known people to do that (and it's worked for them), but it's not a technique that I would use.

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I've known people to do that (and it's worked for them), but it's not a technique that I would use.

Why not?

 

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Because the vendor may ignore you, or suggest that you shop elsewhere.

Why not?

 

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Because it's an untruth and I try hard to avoid that.

Follow up question, do you carry small bills like $5 and $10 so you can say, "I'd love that but I only have $10" so you can get it half price?

 

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Give that a try at International Diamonds and Gold and let us know how that worked out for you. :D

I haven't initiated bartering, but I've had vendors offer a better price when I've picked up something then put it back. As someone who occasionally sells pottery at shows, I know how irritating people can be when they try to barter.

Bartering is generally part of the culture and I've been successful more times than not to get a cheaper price even in merchant stores. I believe the key is to be polite even if they don't lower the price. A simple thank you goes a long way.

Not all Caribbean islands are the same. As others have pointed out, brick and mortar stores typically one would expect to pay the price on the item. As for street vendors, it depends. Some places (Cozumel and Jamaica come to mind) expect you to barter. Some places do not and would look at you rather funny if you offered to pay less than the price marked.

Give that a try at International Diamonds and Gold and let us know how that worked out for you. :D

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As a rule shops will not let you negotiate on prices for items.

To do that you need to shop at the vendors on the street and the tents set up at some of the piers.

Not quite true. Variables depend on the port, how late in the day, etc. I've negotiated watches in St Thomas, tons of stuff in Cozumel including watches and a ring for my wife and almost every purchase in smaller ports like Progreso.

Cash talks, carry it with you.

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Give that a try at International Diamonds and Gold and let us know how that worked out for you. :D

I did. Bought a Bulova Precisionist Catamount 98B166 new release dive watch at a lesser price than US or from the ship. Verified and registered the warranty. It was a late departure from Cozumel and the shop was empty.

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Just to be clear, "bartering" is the trading of goods/services without the involvement of money. Even the term "haggling" is often misused as it is more accurately described as "petty/contentious." So, let's stick with the term "negotiating."

It's both a blessing and a curse to have been born in Brooklyn where some of the first words out of your mouth is "never pay retail."

Not so much with trinkets but, rather, with native arts/crafts for which our prior research has laid the groundwork, we will focus on the hunt for a particular item armed with basic knowledge regarding its average price range. With bigger ticket items, it never hurts to shoot for 15%+\- discount off the stated price.

Of course, "money talks (cash)" because it saves the fee to the vendor. But not using a credit card has its obvious drawbacks.

Where we've had the most success in paying less-than-asked (beyond those distant locations where "haggling" is somewhat of a cultural thing) has been in "bundling," i.e., "what can you do for me if we take both items," or focusing on waivers of tax/shipping.

Bottom line is that it never hurts to ask.

I always try to get a better price when dealing with the merchants. Most of the time it works. They typically raise their prices when a cruise ship pulls into the port. I find that you can get a better price later in the day, Just before the ships sails as they will lose most of their selling chances. But, that does not always work. if you can not talk them down on the price, and you really can do without the item just way away. sometime when you turn to walk away they will come chasing you and offer to take the price you offered.

Carnival Triumph

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Dearm

Carnival Sensation 2 times

Carnival Freedom

Just to be clear, "bartering" is the trading of goods/services without the involvement of money. Even the term "haggling" is often misused as it is more accurately described as "petty/contentious." So, let's stick with the term "negotiating."

It's both a blessing and a curse to have been born in Brooklyn where some of the first words out of your mouth is "never pay retail."

Not so much with trinkets but, rather, with native arts/crafts for which our prior research has laid the groundwork, we will focus on the hunt for a particular item armed with basic knowledge regarding its average price range. With bigger ticket items, it never hurts to shoot for 15%+\- discount off the stated price.

Of course, "money talks (cash)" because it saves the fee to the vendor. But not using a credit card has its obvious drawbacks.

Where we've had the most success in paying less-than-asked (beyond those distant locations where "haggling" is somewhat of a cultural thing) has been in "bundling," i.e., "what can you do for me if we take both items," or focusing on waivers of tax/shipping.

Bottom line is that it never hurts to ask.

TY, saved me from posting the Barter definition. Glad I read your reply first. Bartering might result in your missing the ship.

I imagine the OP meant bargain or some other synonym?

Hmm, I know some islands "negotiate" prices, and then again some don't. Jamaica and Mexico are known for "negotiating" prices, but Aruba and Grand Cayman are not known for doing that. Just for fun, I saw a purse in Antigua at the tents in the lot by the casino, and offered a price less than what they wanted, she just turned and walked away...I guess nothing was better than something

Agree, it depends 1. What island you are on and 2. What kind of store you are in. Diamonds international, and really any of the port stores, are not going to entertain haggling. But, i prefer to shop locally in port and can’t say that I’ve paid full price for much if anything. I’m not much for haggler so I get it started (which also feels out if they haggle) the same way. There’s always someone at the booth or the store; even if it’s marked with a price, ask ‘how much’. When they come back with $20. So no, that’s too much and put the item back. If they haggle they will come back with ‘I can do $15’. Then you know haggling is fair game and go for it.

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I hate to bargain, but it now comes second nature. Yes, I bargain in the jewelry stores, too. 'Is that the best you can do'? How much do you want to spend? 'Under $xxx... I can get some pretty good bargains. If I am using a credit card, I know I'm down to the lowest offer when they specify Visa/Mastercard rather then AMEX, EM

2. What kind of store you are in. Diamonds international, and really any of the port stores, are not going to entertain haggling.

This is not necessarily true - DI is very entertaining of haggling. My wife has become somewhat of a professional at it:D

Diamonds International, and really any of the port stores, are not going to entertain haggling.

Forgive me for truncating your post. We’ve found the opposite in ports.

With so many trips from Galveston stopping in Cozumel and lots of them when there were fewer ships in port the prices on a watch I bought and jewelry my wife bought were negotiated down based on paying cash.

In St Thomas last summer I bought two watches and had them chase me down to agree on my cash offer. I saved $$ over the ship prices that were 35% off MSRP by about $150.

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I’ve not actually ever shopped at diamonds international. Was using that more as a point of reference as a ‘corporate’ type store since someone else said they don’t negotiate. But I’ve not had an trouble having local stores in Mexico be willing to negotiate.

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