<BR>Just what is expected in regard to barganing for clothes, antiques, gems etc. Is 50% 30% of what's being asked? And is it really true that you're not allowed to take out of the country ( without permission ) any statue of Budda?

Buddha, I meant.

Hi Dave, <BR> <BR>The tip to bargaining is really to go with what you think and experience will then follow. If you're buying something from a road side stall, offer the guy about 60%. See by how much he comes down and the go up to meet him half way or go up enough such that he will come down. Don't be surprise if they will come down to your price.. but just a few bucks above. <BR> <BR>If you're in a shop you can try the same trick. But think of how much are you willing to pay for something. And how much do you want it. If it's something that has just caught your attention, you can try the walk-away trick and see if they call back after you. You can always go back - they do have a memory of faces. <BR> <BR>It all depends on where the shop is. If you're in a 5-star hotel then you probably won't be able to bargain. If you're buying jewelry - you can probably get them to divide the price up into the actual price of the gold (a good shop will usually display the rate) and the price of workmanship. You would probably be able to bargain on the price of workmanship. <BR> <BR>Have lots of fun. Bargaining can be fulfilling. <BR> <BR>Amanda.

Just returned from Bkk, and I found that people are just not that willing to bargain, especially when they are asking so little to begin with. As you deal in Baht, it's easy to forget just how little 100 Baht are worth. So, when someone will not come down much, just forget it and buy it if you really want it. And do the calculation so you will see just how trivial an amount you're really dealing with. You may wish to try hard bargaining for gold or jewelry - but good luck. Everyone asks the same price. Where you may do some good is small markets near the ferry piers - but the prices are already pretty low. You can perhaps bargain for taxis and tuk-tuks, and to some degree for the long-tail boats. But don't walk away from something you really want to do just because you cannot get your price. After all, you're in Bkk for only a short time. Don't pass up something over a few bucks!!! And forget the guidebooks about tips - hand them out when someone does a good thing for you. Have a good time - we loved Bkk. Joe

Obviously there are places where the price you see is the price you pay such as the department stores (Robinson's, Tokyu, etc.). If you don't want the hassle and expect good quality merchandise, shop there. However if you want to try your luck with various shops in Chinatown or malls, it isn't difficult to bargain. Just showing some hesitation will prompt the salesperson to lower the price. If you see something you really like, don't ruin the experience by quibbling over pennies. Trust me, you won't feel cheated. Keep an eye on what the going rate for some merchandises are then compare. If it gets to be too much then you're not enjoying yourself and remember this is your vacation. I guarantee whatever you do buy, you will feel as though you got a bargain. <BR>

Thanks for the comments on bargaining. It's not the cost really, it's more the decorum that's expected with " the dance " . Looking forward to a great time!

Just be sure your partner really wants to dance with you before you start. Decorum may dictate otherwise.

Just be sure your partner wants to dance with you before you start. After all, if you're not worried about the cost, what's the point of haggling? Just pay up and don't get involved in the unanswerable question of whether you paid the "right" amount. And forget the formula approach. Do what you'd do at home.

In Department stores you can normally get 10% off. With food stalls on the street their prices are usually on a little placard e.g. kilo of bananas: 25 baht. Compare the stalls and you'll find the cheaper one, but you are still paying a tourist price, probably 50% more than the locals. In restaurants, cafes etc pay menu prices. Public transport fares are non-negotiable. The time to start hard bargaining is when you want a special service like a taxi for the morning, a half-day tour, a guide for the day or if you are shopping at a market for souvenirs or clothing. Then you try for one-third of what you would pay at home. For antiques and gems there are no guidlines except, is it the genuine article or a fake. Successful bargaining begins with YOU naming a price and going up from there in small increments. To get something for one-third of the home price, start at a quarter. Never fear, the trader will get a good deal, and you wont spoil it for the less affluent people like us backpackers, who NEED to watch our costs. Remember, the working person in Thailand is often earning no more than $200 a month, so the extra profit he gets out of you is proprtionately quite significant.