That really depends on who you're dealing with. A beach vendor offering you a $100 peso hat for $600? Sure seems to me he wants to haggle. But sure, don't be doing that in stores, and with artisans. Igualmente, stores should post their prices if they don't want haggling. And of course, it's not exactly fair to be at the local tianguis and pay 50 for a cup of fruit only to watch the next lady pay 25 for exactly the same thing. Frankly, while I agree in general with the statement it is equally important to stand your ground and not pay too much of a visitor's tax on every single purchase.
1 week ago | 14
One does not haggle with the convenience store owner to get a better price on a soda pop. They don't haggle when they go to a gas station, fast food, train rides, amusement parks, airline tickets or hotel rooms in Mexico. Why on Earth does anyone think it's ok to haggle a private business owner over the price of his goods? See, this is why I won't sell my unwanted belongings. I just give them away. I did a garage sale once and not only did I lose a lot to thieves, every single person wanted to haggle my already dirt cheap pricing. It really pissedmeoff and I'll never do it again. I can't stand hagglers.
1 week ago | 9
It is common thoš yea it depends but in general its common to be overcharged and tyen haggle
1 week ago | 3
I conquer with you. When I go to motherland (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ) I dont ask for regateo. I see how dificult is to do this Type of arts and how is a struggle to earn the daily bread. If anything I give the more that what it cost as an appreciation.
1 week ago
| 5
Itās not the artisan that haggles. The two-bit sales person at any market always asks a premium price. So, yes haggle with a salesperson, not the artisan.
1 week ago | 5
Good topic Mariana! I made this mistake in Isla Mujeres in 1998ā¦ when I once I showed a lukewarm interest on a rug at a local store where the salesman maybe owner warmly greeted me āHello Amigo!ā I wasnāt sure if I wanted to lug a rug around for the rest of my trip but he proceeded to enthusiastically bring all of the different styles out unfolding them spreading them out on the floor, I wasnāt THAT interested in them TBH but I also didnāt want to be rude because he was so determined to show themā¦ I felt the more I showed interest, the more he wanted to show me UNTIL I had mentioned the prices I saw in Cancun on the exact same itemsā¦ he then stopped talking, folded all his rugs and said to my face, āI will sell it at that priceā¦ BUT NOT TO YOU!!! YOU WANT THAT PRICE? GO BACK TO CANCUN!!!ā ā¦ I felt so bad because how sensitive he was probably desperate for a sale and felt taken advantage of many times before I walked into his store. The sad part is I became self conscious NOT to show interest in anything at timesā¦ Iāve since then grew in understanding by watching other Mexican tourists respond and try and emulateā¦ I can laugh at it now because how quickly I went from āAmigoā to āPersona non-Grataā but back then I realized how talking price by comparing really triggered him and made me more sympathetic towards his situation.
6 days ago (edited) | 1
I am glad you brought this issue as an important requirement to visit Mexico! I hate to see this happening to our humble artisans or vendors! For them, one dollar, is a sacrifice and effort. Keep educating people Mariana!
1 week ago | 0
That is ridiculous. I appreciate you! As an artist that has lived in Mexico for years, that's nice, but you are getting taken advantage of very often be prudent. There is all kinds out there. Get the right price. It is good for all. Don't insult the artist, but don't get taken advantage of.... that door swings both ways.. be good, but careful. It helps you and all others to help them find a real price, and create the "market price". For sure be respectful, its someone's lifeblood. But you also worked for your money too. There is art in negotiation. Be good. If you feel you got too good of a deal, you can leave a tip.
5 days ago | 0
We had an artisan shop for years and the locals (people from all over the country, born in Mexico) weāre the absolute worst at haggling. It was super discouraging how they donāt respect the artisans in their own country.
6 days ago | 0
That's absolutely wrong ! Sellers all over Mexico anticipate haggling! They don't mind at all! Of course always bargain respectfully... and it's often a lot of fun for both sides... normally a feeling of win-win. You're wrong.
6 days ago (edited) | 2
The only time i haggled a price was in the tourist zone of Tulum, and it was bc the guy was asking a ridiculous price that i wouldn't have paid in the States either. Also, he initiated it after i first said i was not interested at the price he was asking. Typically the prices seemed fair, even at the gringo rate.
1 week ago | 0
Haggling is probably a better term, but I agree with not doing it. The artisans barely cover the expenses of making whatever they sell and probably, more times than not, sell themselves short.
1 week ago
| 5
This is very good advice. The hard-working folks who sell their wares on the street deserve respect and consideration. Saludos from Jody here in QuerĆ©taro ā¦ coming up on four years living here and very happy.
1 week ago
| 1
Thank you for posting this. I always cringe when I see this and feel embarrassed when itās someone from my country behaves so rudely.
1 week ago
| 2
They mark up the prices intentionally as someone who has visited Mexico for over 30 yrs I believe theyād rather negotiate a few bucks than go home empty handed. You are telling people not to give them business unless you pay full price. This would be detrimental to independent businesses. On food ofc you donāt haggle or in stores. But random vendors are perfectly fine to negotiate with
6 days ago | 0
I agree that itās worth it to pay them, but I donāt agree when prices arenāt marked and they give you the extranjero price.
1 week ago | 3
Mexico Relocation Guide
Please DO NOT haggle in Mexico.
No, it isn't commonly done. And it can be a bit insulting to the artisan. If you think something is too expensive, don't purchase it. But remember that all artisans in Mexico selling their goods don't usually bring home large amounts of money... this is their livelihood
So despite what you may have heard, haggling is not normal. And you should really not do it. Unless the artisan offers you a better price because he/she really needs your business.
This also applies to the people selling gelatinas, cookies or other goods on the streets. Again, it is not common to haggle down the prices of their goods.
1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 261