Haggling

Hoping to sound more emphatic the second time, I repeat what I just said to the beach vendor: “No, Señor, I don’t want to buy silver jewelry today. Thank you.”

“But, Señora, these earrings are from Taxco, best quality, nine-two-five, you see?” He dangles a pair of shiny silver hoops close to my face.

I take them in my hand and inspect for the tiny .925 engraving that signifies a piece is almost pure silver. Big mistake. I have shown interest.

“Señora, this is my last sale of the day. I’ll give you two-for-one. Two pairs, $500 pesos. You won’t find a better price.”

Minutes later I own two new pairs of silver hoop earrings. Don’t know if I got a good deal or not. But I caved. Again.

I’ve always been a pushover for roving beach vendors. If you sit in one of San Pancho’s beachfront restaurants, they will find you. Most often they are young men dressed in white, toting laptop-sized cases full of silver jewelry.

Here are some suggestions for dealing with vendors from a person who owns lots of silver jewelry, tacky wood carvings, acrylic shawls and goofy sun hats:

• If you really have no interest, don’t make eye contact. And, for heaven’s sake, don’t inspect the merchandise. Just say, “No, gracias,” and go back to your book or conversation.


• Start a transaction by asking, “What is your best price?” and have in mind an amount you’re willing to pay. You must be able to think rapidly in pesos and to say peso amounts in Spanish without hesitating. Practice this at home.


• Expect to settle at 50-60% of the vendor’s opening price. He won’t sell the piece at a loss, but he does have to make a living. Do not allow thoughts like “He’s probably got kids who need food and school clothes” to enter your head.


• Once the vendor agrees to your price, you are obliged by haggling tradition to accept the deal. To walk away or try to go another round would be bad form.
  

If you know you’re not good at haggling, you might ask a companion with the necessary skills to handle the transaction. My husband, who thinks negotiating with used car salesmen is great sport, is an expert, so I ask him to be the closer. Or just don’t haggle. Go to one of San Pancho’s shops and pay what it says on the price tag.