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Re: [OM] [OT] Price haggling

Subject: Re: [OM] [OT] Price haggling
From: Peter Dixon <P.Dixon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2001 14:39:50 +0000
Have to leap in to this debate..... I've been to eygpt a number of times, where haggling is very much a way of life.

If you go in with the right attitude, it adds enormously to the fun of the trip. The thing is though to think about who you are dealing with. In a busy street market in Luxor or Edfu with loads of punters around, I will haggle like mad to try and get to 500f the asking price. But if I'm in a small village trying to buy bread in the middle of nowhere , I'm not going to haggle much.

In eygpt, haggling it certainly expected and people can be offended if you don't. But never be first to name a price, let the vendor do that. It's also worth knowing that a lot of vendors have two starting prices; one for tourists and the other for locals (usually at least a third or less of the tourist price).

The other thing is patience. Most tourists don't have much, and will wear down very quickly. Haggle for an hour over a cup of tea - it's great fun and you'll get to know the vendor very well!!! A friend of mine spent several days in Cairo haggling for a lovely replica shabti (small statue placed in tombs to help the dead with work in the afterlife). Eventually he added a bottle of champagne and the deal was made!!


I've seen some great stunts - boys will haggle from the bank of the nile if you're boat is close, and throw things onto the deck once the price has been agreed.

Bait and switch is quite common; on my first trip several people were in a shop trying to buy a galibeyah (long flowing robe, v cool and comfortable). They came out at 35 eygptian pounds; a good deal but when they opened the bags they were T-shirts!!!!

OM content - I've never been on a trip without at least my 2 and 4...

Pete
--
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Dr. Peter Dixon
Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Clinical Neurology
6th Floor, Institute of Neurology
Queen Square
London WC1N 3BG
Tel: 0207 837 3611 xtn 4305
Fax: 0207 278 5616
Mobile: 07712607905
email: P.Dixon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, peterdixon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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