does one "bargain" with shopowners in Mexico?
 

specifically San Miguel? Or do you pay the posted price?

Absolutely, if you are paying in cash (pesos) and speak any Spanish, you will get substantial "discounts".
This is a gringo tourist area as you know.
My housekeeper gets better prices than we - even 'tho SO is first gen Italiana and looks and speaks like a native.
M

does this apply to all the stores or only "tourist stores". ie. a nicer jewelry store or leather goods store - would you dare ask for discount there?

Those are the very places you may politely ask for discounts.
Don't be aggressive here in Central MX, it won't get you anything.
If you find an expensive "must have", we may be able to help, 'tho SO will be travelling in Oct.
M

thank you. We're going for 3 weeks in Feb/March..any advice? I understand it can be quite cold at night and we're prepared for that. And I understand we have to wash all our fresh vegs and fruit. Any thing else we should know b4 we go? We're trying to find flights right now but they're about $560 from Detroit. Not sure if we should wait and see if it gets better or bite the bullet now.

Yes, you should wash fruits and veggies and then soak in a dilute mix (a few drops in liters of water) of Microdyne which costs about $4.25 US for 500 cc at Costco.
I have not looked at flights from Detroit, but after 1 Feb, the demand should be less.
The early mornings will be warmer (maybe in the high 40s low 50s) in late Feb and certainly in March.
The days will be glorious, as always.
M

I have seen signs in tourist gift shops occasionally that said "please no bartering" or "prices fixed" or something like that.

suze,
You obviously are not living here and don't know the cultura.
M

obviously not

Mike- they may not have it in your area but I have to say I have, on rare occasion, encountered places where there is no bargaining. These are usually high end places, government run artesania stores, etc. However, I agree wtih your advice about bargaining. In Toluca, Taxco, and Cuernavaca last summer- es posible que pueda darme un descuento- worked quite well each occasion I was buying stuff.

It does not hurt, if you got a "no" , well their lost a sale was not made. Be aggresive but nice and gentle....