Peru questions - bargaining and tipping?
 

Hi-

I'm leaving for Peru in a couple of days and I have a couple of questions. I know that in the markets, it is expected that some bargaining will take place - but what is the expectations in a store? I don't want to insult anyone by thinking that bargaining is expected and offer a counter price when it isn't the thing to do.

Also, is leaving a tip for hotel housekeeping also expected?

Thanks for any advice.

In markets and informal shops bargaining is de rigeur. Fancier shops will have prices listed but especially for alpaca/handicrafts/things of that nature it's expected that you'll bargain. If you're just buying a coke at the corner store the price is the price. It's very common in Peru that when asked the price the shop attendant will tell you "$10 or even $8", giving you a 'discount' without your even asking. This is a good sign that you can bargain further.

Peruvians don't really tip hotel workers, although for tourists in the better hotels a small tip is probably expected.

Shop owners who are open to bargaining will expect you to pay in cash then. Credit card processors charge high commissions to businesses. The shop is not going to want to knock something off the price for you and get socked with the charge for you using a credit card on top of that. Ask if there's a discount for paying in cash. That could be a bargaining chip.

Also, if you expect to bargain in a shop, go alone. If a guide is taking you shopping, that guide will expect some type of commission from the shop owner. The shop will not give you a discount if they have to pay something to your guide.

Bargaining is quite an art. Both seller and buyer should feel satisfied with the result. If you are dealing with the person who made what you want to buy, do not belittle the workmanship in order to get a discount. Rather say that you appreciate the quality of the item but cannot afford the price. Could they give you a better price? A lot of handmade items take a long time to make.
In a lot of the markets you will be dealing with a middleman. Move around comparing prices at different stalls. You can probably get 5% off most things. A lot will depend on how much you buy and the original cost. Most will bring a price down to a round number.
You don't bargain for food or drink.

If you can speak or understand a little Spanish it might pay if you follow a Spanish speaking shopper around so you can hear what they are paying. In the markets there is a Gringo price and the normal price. If you buy in multiples expect a nice discout. I would say counter back 25 to 30 % for common mass produced items. If something is obviously handmade by the seller then I rarely bargain hard, but many of the stalls in the big tourist artesania areas are all carrying the same goods.

If you are going into a store such as around LarcoMar Mall I've noticed the price is 3x the ASKing price in artesania markets. So another good way to shop is if you see something in the airport at Lima, eg, and like it, look at the price in USD and divide by 3.

Thank you all for the very helpful information. I like the suggestion of asking if there is a discount for paying in cash, since I plan to deal mainly in cash anyway.

I don't speak any Spanish (except what I remember seeing on Sesame Street when I was a kid), so I'm expecting much of my interactions with vendors to be a lot of scribbling on paper, holding up fingers and thumbing through my guide book. It sounds like it will be fun.

Don't worry they know all the English words for the numbers as well as the most recent conversion rate between Nuevo Soles and Dollares to the penny. Often they have a calculator and will just punch the numbers in and show you.

Sorry I want to be clear to counter back a 1/4 to 1/3 reduction in price. It will often be accepted on the spot or if not as you walk away, have fun. But if you see something you really like do buy it then and not assume you will see more like it later. Sometimes just finding the same stall later in the day can be a challenge!