[travel] Bargaining and poker

[mattbell]

After a couple of months in third-world countries, I now am good at bargaining under certain situations. Basically, when I have some idea of the real value of a good, I can bargain quite well. I can learn the good's value from a guidebook, watching what the locals pay, or by testing people's limits when multiple people are selling the same item. However, if there's only one person selling a unique item (eg some rather nice sunglasses), it's hard to figure out if I'm getting a good deal or not. Unfortunately, the majority of my future bargaining situations back in the US will likely be in this category. These people make a living out of feigning emotions, and I have trouble telling if their shock as my offered price is artificial or real. Perhaps you people out there who play poker have found it to be useful for this sort of thing.

Comments

[dixiemouse.livejournal.com]

I think it would be helpful to you in spotting "tells"... different glances, fake sighs, tics and the such...

[eccentrific.livejournal.com]

I think their shock is always feigned. If you had actually offerend a *really* outrageously low price, they'd curse you out and stop bargaining with you as not worth their time ;-)

[nasu-dengaku.livejournal.com]

That reaction has happened many times too, including at times when I offered a price I knew was reasonable.

I figured there are a couple of reasons this happens:
1. They figure their time is better spent ripping off another tourist.
2. They are trying to do a cartel, and they and some of the ir fellow salespeople have agreed to a second minimum tourist price.