Originally Posted by
flamingpanties
Actually, as a shameless cheapskate, I have some experience haggling at the local flea market. The walkaway method doesn't work here, but agreeing to buy several of anything usually does. Showing them you're low on money helps, and they'll agree to take what you've got left.
I've assumed this conversation is about cash only. What about using credit cards and haggling?
Ooh, my favorite trick when I want to buy multiples of something:
Do my little haggling dance with the vendor for one, maybe two. Buy them. Come back all the way at the end of your time in the market, chat with him a bit more, and say, "You know what, I'd like to buy X more of these. But I need you to give me a good price." Dance again.
As for credit cards--they're going to pay a charge to their bank for accepting a credit card, so that'll just get worked into the price. Besides, for the sort of stuff you're looking for you'd prefer a guy who doesn't take cards--only some slick store that caters to tourists would take cards, and of course that means higher prices. Whatever miles you can get won't be worth the higher price you're paying.