Top 10 Tips for Bargaining at Markets

The Mercado 28 is a big deal down in Cancún, if you go down there you have to visit the market. So on the last full-day that we were there, Friday, we went there in the morning. The market doesn't have any fixed prices but it's got a little bit of everything and it is a great place to buy souvenirs... if you know what you're going. For most of us, bargaining isn't something that you do everyday, so you can easily get lost amoung the hustle and bustle. I made more mistakes than anything else that day but I learned from my mistakes. I know better now and hopefully what I learned can help you. I paid $28 USD for a t-shirt that I don't love and a "free" shot glass that I'll never use. I knew how stupid I was as soon as I handed my money over. But here's the top three things that I learned from my mistakes. Don't buy at the first place you visit. Shop around and visit. If you like something in particular in one store, chances are you can find the exact same thing in three other stores. So shop around for the best price. If you've got the time, take it. Don't feel guilty or obligated. They will give you compliments and stop the cars so you can cross the street and tease and plead; they'll laugh at your jokes that are definitely not funny and they will strike up conversation. Don't let it sway you. This is your money. You earned it. Don't let them push you into anything. Don't pay the first price they offer. Never. Ever. Even if it seems reasonable and your willing to pay it. You can usually get the price down to half of what they originally offer. No lies. Not exaggeration.

Other things I learned I learned those last three from my own errors but here's what I learned just by watching, without making any more mistakes. Know yourself. I kind of got a little lost and caught up in everything because it was my first time in a market like that with my own money to spend. I'd been to Tijuana and Cheb, Nogales and Naco but every time that I'd gone before, any souvenirs I got came from my parents' money. People were never trying to sell to me directly because I didn't have the cash. I'm also an introvert so having all those strangers vying for my attention was a little overwhelming. I couldn't say 'no' so I didn't say anything at all. And that's fine. I know people that are totally comfortable with having a conversation with a complete stranger and telling them when they're not interested. For me, I just had to say "No thank you" and keep walking. And I'm sure I looked stuck up but there's really nothing wrong with that. Just know yourself and know what to expect.

Have a plan. If you know that you will not wear a novelty t-shirt then don't get a t-shirt for yourself. If you know that you collect stickers then go hunting for the best stickers for the best price. Have a list, whether written out or just in your head, of who you want to get souvenirs for.

Set a budget. This is one that some people have a harder time following than others. For me, I just bring my budget in cash and when that's used up it's gone. Many places now accept card though so you still have to show some restraint, maybe leave the card at home.

Go with a partner. One reason that I made so many mistakes was because I got separated from my group. They weren't even out of my sight but just me being there by myself, with no one to keep me in check, I got caught up in it all. It's easier to say 'no' for someone else, so bring someone along, let them know your plan, and let them help you out when you're not sticking to that plan.

Take your time. Convert the price to your preferred currency to get a feel for how much they're asking for. Examine the product. Try it on. See how it works. Will you actually use it? If you've got the time, take it. This is your decision. If you don't like it, tell them that. They are more than willing to help you find something you like and chances are they have something that you will like because they've got a little bit of everything.

Cancún is a party place so I got shown a lot of thing related to that, especially when I told them that I was from Colorado. But seeing that I don't smoke or drink or even swear, that's not something that I was personally interested in. The first couple times that I was shown stuff like that I just smiled and nodded and they kept showing me products like that. When I finally let them know that I wasn't interested, they started showing me other things. Which was when I finally started seeing things I liked. Have fun. Just enjoy being there and soak it all in. This is meant to a cool experience.

I hope that these tips will help you out whenever you find yourself in a cool market along your travels. They are really neat places and wherever you may be, if they have a bazaar I would encourage you to go because it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and every market has it's own personality.

Happy Hunting,

Challis