Going Places - Hammering out a deal

 BY LIZ FLEMING

“Senora, you like my necklaces? All handmade by my sister. She has six kids to feed, so she makes beautiful necklaces and I help her by selling them. Try one on … I give you a good deal.”

I was impressed. His poor sister sure had her work cut out for her. There must have been 20 different designs on that table in the sun, and literally hundreds of samples in the bag behind her brother’s chair.

Of course, I had to buy a couple. Who wouldn’t want to help out a woman with six children and the brother who took such an obvious interest in their welfare?

Funny thing, though, as I made my way down the beach, I noticed identical necklaces on every vendor’s table. Must have been a popular folk-art trend his sister started.

The other thing I noticed — and continue to notice in every part of the world that I visit — is that it’s always special deal day, and the absolute rock bottom prices are always reserved for me. Must be something about my face, I guess I must look like a woman who deserves a break. Two-for-one, half-price discount, one-day-only super sale — you name it, the price is always right, just for me.

And everything I touch is always “genuine,” whether it’s leather that looks suspiciously like vinyl (how could I be so skeptical?) or those black coral beads that were absolutely uniform in shape and had the same skinning little line down their middles — almost as if they were molded plastic. Still, the vendor assured me they were “genuine,” so I must have been mistaken.

If you’re not as fortunate as I am, and are therefore wondering how you can be sure you’re getting the best deals possible when you shop abroad, consider these tips:

n Be realistic. You have a rough idea of the going price for gold, so if the ring/bracelet/necklace you’re looking at seems to be far too cheap to be the real McCoy, it probably isn’t. Silver is easier to identify because most countries require that real silver bears a stamp inside. If you don’t see one, it’s probably not a great buy.

n Be polite. People are trying to make a living selling their wares and some cultures may be more aggressive than the Canadian shopkeepers you’re used to. Take a moment to listen to their pitch, and if you aren’t interested, move on. You’re under no obligation to buy, but common decency dictates that you should be courteous.

n Don’t flash a huge wad of cash, then look for a bargain. Be modest in your behavior and your appearance.

n Bargaining is expected in marketplaces all over the world, but be courteous. The asking price is usually about a third higher than what the vendor is expecting to get. For your first offer, go a little lower than that and he’ll go a little higher. That way, you can meet in the middle with both sides feeling that they’ve done well. Offering significantly less than a third lower than the asking price is considered disrespectful in many countries.

n Have local currency in small denominations if you’re shopping in a small marketplace. Making change is very difficult for vendors.

n Thank the vendor for his time and efforts, even if he’s only shown you his wares and you’ve found nothing to buy. Being pleasant doesn’t cost anything.