Why doesn't the average American understand the concept of haggling?

MOBIUS · February 7, 2003, 17:03

Travelling through SE Asia I was struck by this phenomenon basically wherever I saw Americans buying things...

Now I wouldn't mind so much as it's their money to spend, but it does begin to get annoying when it starts to affect my own ability to haggle given the artificially inflated 'price bubble' that seems to follow American tourist around wherever they go...

The concept is fairly simple, fun and saves you money as you should rarely if ever pay over 50% of the asking price (especially if you're american!) - it is de riguer in Asian countries, indeed much of the world including Western countries.

So why do Americans not seem to grasp the concept, is it a cultural thing?

DaShi · February 7, 2003, 17:05

Because Americans are stupid and should be categorized as such in all future discussions.

SlowwHand · February 7, 2003, 17:09

There's a difference in understanding, and choosing to participate.
I don't haggle, bargain, wrangle, etc.
Tell me the price. If it's more than what I consider fair, I walk.
No time/inclination for negotiating.

Spiffor · February 7, 2003, 17:10

Because it is a completely outdated practice which doesn't suit the modern, impersonal commerce (supermarkets) Americans are used to in their everyday life ?

DinoDoc · February 7, 2003, 17:15

We simply prefer honesty in our buisiness dealings.

Velociryx · February 7, 2003, 17:16

I second Sloww's reasonings. I understand the concept of haggling, and if I'm in no particular rush, I will even occassionally indulge in it, but in general, I just don't want to spend the time. If the price seems fair to my brain, I'll take it....if not....never mind it.

-=Vel=-

chairmanmeow · February 7, 2003, 17:16

It's probably because it is never done in the United States, so most people have never tried it. If you walked into a store in the U.S., and told the salesperson that you want to pay $10 for something marked $20, you'll be laughed out of the store (Either that or you'll get beaten up by the security guards.)

DaShi · February 7, 2003, 17:17

America is tough.

SlowwHand · February 7, 2003, 17:20

You just now figuring that out ?

Velociryx · February 7, 2003, 17:20

Actually, I have discovered that this can lead to a form of "reverse haggling."

I spend a few minutes pouring over someting at a market...shake my head and turn to walk away.

If the owner is aggressive, he may call out to me...."see anything you like?"

And of course, I'll play....and he'll offer me a "special deal" on it....if I refuse, the deal gets sweeter....and so on....

-=Vel=-

MosesPresley · February 7, 2003, 17:26

"Why doesn't the average American understand the concept of haggling?"

Because most Americans shop retail. You can't haggle with a cashier.

Sava · February 7, 2003, 17:27

Quote:

Originally posted by DinoDoc
We simply prefer honesty in our buisiness dealings.

lord of the mark · February 7, 2003, 17:50

uh, reality check here.

You guys have obviously never bought or sold a house or car in the US. Haggling is STANDARD for those items. One auto company, Saturn distinguishes itself with its "no haggle" policy. Consumer reports publishes stuff on wholesale prices of cars to help you haggle.

Americans tend not to haggle on smaller items - a cultural proclivity, perhaps related to traditionally high wages, which make haggling a relatively uneconomic use of both consumer and retailer time - and the tendency for retail to be in the hands of chain retailer, who give less autonomy to salespeople - though some electronics retailers do, and some haggling does take place there.

Haggling of course occurs extensively in business to business transactions and there are vast armies of consultants, investment bankers, etc who make their living from it.

SlowwHand · February 7, 2003, 17:53

I didn't haggle on the house. It was a good deal.
Not on the truck either. Same theory applies.
Give me your best price.

orange · February 7, 2003, 17:53

because we're decadent and have money to blow out our arses.

Dauphin · February 7, 2003, 18:02

BRIAN:
How much? Quick.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
What?
BRIAN:
It's for the wife.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Oh. Uhhh, twenty shekels.
BRIAN:
Right.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
What?
BRIAN:
There you are.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Wait a minute.
BRIAN:
What?
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Well, we're-- we're supposed to haggle.
BRIAN:
No, no. I've got to get--
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
What do you mean, 'no, no, no'?
BRIAN:
I haven't time. I've got--
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Well, give it back, then.
BRIAN:
No, no, no. I just paid you.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Burt!
BURT:
Yeah?
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
This bloke won't haggle.
BURT:
Won't haggle?!
BRIAN:
All right. Do we have to?
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Now, look. I want twenty for that.
BRIAN:
I-- I just gave you twenty.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Now, are you telling me that's not worth twenty shekels?
BRIAN:
No.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Look at it. Feel the quality. That's none of your goat.
BRIAN:
All right. I'll give you nineteen then.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
No, no, no. Come on. Do it properly.
BRIAN:
What?
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Haggle properly. This isn't worth nineteen.
BRIAN:
Well, you just said it was worth twenty.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Ohh, dear. Ohh, dear. Come on. Haggle.
BRIAN:
Huh. All right. I'll give you ten.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
That's more like it. Ten?! Are you trying to insult me?! Me, with a poor dying grandmother?! Ten?!
BRIAN:
All right. I'll give you eleven.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Now you're gettin' it. Eleven?! Did I hear you right?! Eleven?! This cost me twelve. You want to ruin me?!
BRIAN:
Seventeen?
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
No, no, no, no. Seventeen.
BRIAN:
Eighteen?
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
No, no. You go to fourteen now.
BRIAN:
All right. I'll give you fourteen.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Fourteen?! Are you joking?!
BRIAN:
That's what you told me to say.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Ohh, dear.
BRIAN:
Ohh, tell me what to say. Please!
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Offer me fourteen.
BRIAN:
I'll give you fourteen.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
He's offering me fourteen for this!
BRIAN:
Fifteen!
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Seventeen. My last word. I won't take a penny less, or strike me dead.
BRIAN:
Sixteen.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Done. Nice to do business with you.
BRIAN:
Huh.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Tell you what. I'll throw you in this as well.
BRIAN:
I don't want it, but thanks.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Burt!
BURT:
Yeah?
BRIAN:
All right! All right! All right!
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Now, where's the sixteen you owe me?
BRIAN:
I just gave you twenty.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Oh, yeah. That's right. That's four I owe you, then.
BRIAN:
Well, that's all right. That's fine. That's fine.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
No. Hang on. I've got it here somewhere.
BRIAN:
That's all right. That's four for the gourd.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Four? For this gourd? Four?! Look at it. It's worth ten if it's worth a shekel.
BRIAN:
But you just gave it to me for nothing.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
Yes, but it's worth ten!
BRIAN:
All right. All right.
HARRY THE HAGGLER:
No, no, no, no. It's not worth ten. You're supposed to argue, 'Ten for that? You must be mad!' Ohh, well. [sniff] One born every minute

Jon Miller · February 7, 2003, 18:13

my sister haggles at circuit city and the like

she said she gets much better deals when her boyfreind is not along

when I was shopping with her (Iw as in the video game section) she got ~50 bucks off sometihng that costed 300

Jon Miller

Kramerman · February 7, 2003, 18:17

monty python... classic...

Boris Godunov · February 7, 2003, 18:23

I just haggled for personal training sessions at my gym, think I did a pretty good job. So don't tell me I can't haggle.

My sister-in-law can argue anyone to give her a lower price. She's amazing when it comes to buying anything.

Asher · February 7, 2003, 18:29

The reason most people don't haggle for things is because most things can't be haggled for.

Only certain items lend themselves to that kind of thing (houses, cars, some services, etc.)

Why don't you come here and try to haggle the price down from $0.65 for a Mars bar, Mobius.

Gatekeeper · February 7, 2003, 18:31

It's intentional. We're trying to make life miserable for other tourists out there.

tinyp3nis · February 7, 2003, 19:55

Quote:

So why do Americans not seem to grasp the concept, is it a cultural thing?

Even if americans still use miles, gallons and all the other outdated measures, they have managed to evolve above such stupid unintelligent things as haggling!

Poor people haggle in poor nations

Willem · February 7, 2003, 20:12

Quote:

Originally posted by MOBIUS

So why do Americans not seem to grasp the concept, is it a cultural thing?

It's not only Americans, Canadians are the same. It's just not a part of the way we do business here, never has been. If someone has a price listed on an item, we either pay it or we don't. It's what we've come to expect.

MOBIUS · February 7, 2003, 20:37

So those of you who don't haggle don't mind being ripped off in countries where haggling is a normal process. Like when you're tourists for example?

Tuberski · February 7, 2003, 20:39

Quote:

Originally posted by MOBIUS
So those of you who don't haggle don't mind being ripped off in countries where haggling is a normal process. Like when you're tourists for example?

I'd say that the average American goes to a foreign country maybe once in their life, excepting Canada and Mexico. So they aren't really concerned with how much something costs and bargaining.

ACK!

Bereta_Eder · February 7, 2003, 20:40

Quote:

Originally posted by MOBIUS
Travelling through SE Asia I was struck by this phenomenon basically wherever I saw Americans buying things...

Now I wouldn't mind so much as it's their money to spend, but it does begin to get annoying when it starts to affect my own ability to haggle given the artificially inflated 'price bubble' that seems to follow American tourist around wherever they go...

The concept is fairly simple, fun and saves you money as you should rarely if ever pay over 50% of the asking price (especially if you're american!) - it is de riguer in Asian countries, indeed much of the world including Western countries.

So why do Americans not seem to grasp the concept, is it a cultural thing?

I don't know.

But I'm not American and I really, truely, honestly, absolutely, hate huggling. (but sometimes there's no other option).

Felch · February 7, 2003, 20:42

We'd hardly be ripped off if we got head and a hair cut for five dollars, even if we could haggle her down to three. A deal is a deal.

Willem · February 7, 2003, 20:44

Quote:

Originally posted by MOBIUS
So those of you who don't haggle don't mind being ripped off in countries where haggling is a normal process. Like when you're tourists for example?

I suspect that many Canadians don't even think about it, it's just not part of their mentality. Frankly I think it's good thing , at least for here. I shudder to think what the lines up at the supermarket would be like if everyone stopped and haggled. We'd never get out of the store!

MRT144 · February 7, 2003, 20:49

I remember haggling in egypt, and that was really fun. but then again i was haggling for a hookah.

MOBIUS · February 7, 2003, 20:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Tuberski

I'd say that the average American goes to a foreign country maybe once in their life, excepting Canada and Mexico. So they aren't really concerned with how much something costs and bargaining.

ACK!

Then frankly that is an ignorant and (relatively) expensive standpoint - their call of course...

Case in point:

Sloww talks about paying if he thinks the price is fair. He is how that scenario plays out...

The locals know Americans will do this so they will inflate those prices knowing that the American will do a quick calculation somewhere on the lines of 'gee, that's really cheap', and pay the money.

We stayed at an awesome hotel in Ubud, the 'cultural capital' of Bali, being non Americans our starting price was 400,000 Rupiah for a night, which we reduced to 200,000 Rupiah (about US$20 for a seriously gorgeous room in a beautiful hotel).

In walk the American couple and for them the starting price is 800,000 Rupiah. The guys thinks for a few seconds and works out that US$80 is cheap for a place like this given his experience in the US and says 'OK'.

We stayed there several nights. Because we were not ignorant of the haggling system, we saved the equivalent of US$180 compared to the rates the Americans were paying. Last I heard US$180 wasn't exactly loose change even in the US...

That guy is laughing at you when he's taking your money because he's just scalped another sucker...