Great post, VIArail. Anyone needing an introduction to haggling should print that out!

My experience from living abroad tells me that shopkeepers are more inclined to give you a fair price if they know you know the going rates.

Being in Asia, the first price I was given was always the "rich tourist" price. When I countered with a few phrases in the local language, the price came down right away.

I agree that any haggling should be done in the local currency... I remember overhearing American tourists asking a merchant if the price of 200 on a fake North Face jacket was "in American or Chinese dollars". (facepalm)

Huh? You do have as much time as VIArail. There are 24 hours in a day for all of us.