Negotiating with a Thai, the (small) difference between men and women
In Thailand everything needs to be negotiated and how.
I, too, am a woman who loves shopping and know very few women of any nationality who don't love it, another cliché.
Shopping in Thailand is slightly different in terms of assortment and set prices than in the Netherlands. Unless, of course, you go to the large luxury shopping centers in Bangkok where normal fixed prices apply. But even there it is useful to know that as a foreigner you get a 5% tourist discount anyway.
Of course you have to ask about it because, as befits a good Thai, you don't just give away a discount. It is always wise to ask for a discount anywhere, except (that bottle of water) in the supermarket of course. Because even if you think it probably won't apply somewhere, you sometimes come across surprises and you have just a little more left to buy that other great dress or another nice item.
Discount
In Thailand, especially in the tourist areas but also in the non-tourist areas, negotiating a discount is the most normal thing in the world. A lesson at the Thai school that I greatly appreciated was even about: “lot daay may ka”? (loosely translated: can I get a discount?). If the selling party says: “daay (ka)” (that is possible) then it is important to negotiate. Even if she says: “may daay” (can't) then it is still important to negotiate. Be more careful because it is actually already indicated that they are not inclined to give a discount and it is important to use your charms. Yes, this also works here for both male and female sellers to put on your sweetest smile and try to make her / him laugh.
Bet that there is often still something that can be done. None of this is intended to be derogatory, it's just how things work in Thailand. If it is done in a respectful/happy way, everyone will be happy in the end. Both you with that wonderful bargain of which you can say to yourself without shame this time “this was a bargain I REALLY couldn't pass up”, and the selling party.
If you return to the same shop/market stall the next day (because, for example, you suddenly came up with the idea of wanting to take the bargain with you for the rest of the family and your entire circle of friends) and you are recognised, they will know that negotiating with you is a pleasure. Whereby the ever lasting negotiation words such as “please please give me little bit more” and you again “cannot, cannot” always apply.
Difference men and women
Now the (small) difference between men and women negotiating from my point of view, I have noticed that it is no different for many other couples who visit here.
When I go shopping with my husband, which is “fortunately” rare (he hates shopping unless the purchases concern a computer, telephone, tools and such things) he immediately takes matters into his own hands. Well-intentioned of course, he wants the best for me.
Men negotiate just a little bit harder than a woman, especially if the seller is an annoying man or an unkind lady. I must therefore confess "to my regret" that he usually knows how to negotiate a better price than me, unless it is a very sweet Thai lady, then he will succumb to the charms of a lady just like most men and I stand next to him and look at it with disdain.
Of course I am not the worst person to rub under his nose that we could have obtained the item for a lower amount. His response is, well, they have to earn something. Yes, that's right, but why doesn't that apply to that ugly salesman who acted so stiff, maybe that man wasn't having his day and he also has to earn something?
Well, the other way around when my husband is standing next to me and doesn't feel like getting involved in the negotiations that day, just like a man I am also sensitive to sweet sales people. And if I quickly find something pathetic or do I find it faster that I have received enough discount, then think oh well that one or a few euros, what does that matter to me. After which, of course, my husband shouts triumphantly that he could have negotiated a much better price. Yes yes, I know dear, negotiating is in the blood of the men and the Thai.
Deal
The nice thing is when friends are visiting, there must of course always be shopping (and rightly so). Suddenly you see the difference between men and women clearly emerging. Girlfriends often ask me to negotiate for them, after all I am somewhat "experienced" and women recognize that among themselves. Men, on the other hand, often let me have my way but soon take over because they can do it at least as well if not much better…
I have found that the best thing to do is to let the man do his thing. After all, it's about that nice bargain and despite the (really it sometimes happens) negotiated a little too early, everyone is still happy and as a woman I dig the share when I'm the alpha female (just to stay in the monkey terms with a wink to a comment on my previous blog) go play and detract from that fantastic deal.
Shopping in Thailand is just great fun and a pleasant negotiation gives it an extra fun dimension (for both parties).
Should a seller be grumpy and at the first friendly, smiling offer from you, where you of course start with a price that is too low, immediately make a face like an angry earwig and the subsequent question from you : how much do you want, don't appreciate, then walk past their stall. Conversely, negotiating for the sake of negotiation when you don't really want the item that much or just for an impossible price is obviously not appreciated. The only thing you achieve is that the selling party gets a wrong picture of “us Dutch people”, look, look, don't buy!
That does not apply to me, because scoring nice nice bargains is in our "shoppers" (and I hope for the support of fellow shoppers) just like negotiating in men.
Finally one more type which seems to work regularly for me: never immediately start saying how many items you want. That question is often asked immediately, the negotiation starts with the announcement that you only want 1 item, if you have agreed on that price, only then start negotiating the total price of several items. It is often possible to get a little more discount and all this, of course, with a big smile. Hard negotiations and being grumpy don't work with a Thai and in the rare cases that it does, nobody is happy, especially when it comes to very small amounts!
I wish you a lot of wisdom but above all a lot of fun shopping in Thailand and don't forget it all still has to fit in the suitcases...
About this blogger
Read the latest articles here
DiaryApril 6, 2024Creepy beasts in Thailand
Thai massageJuly 31, 2022Thai massage through the eyes of a woman
Flora and faunaJuly 22, 2022Golden tortoise beetle: a special insect
Living in Thailand13 September 2017Negotiating with a Thai, the (small) difference between men and women
In the beginning when I came to TH I also thought that negotiating was a sport.
Had a price in mind for myself and if that was not achieved, then no deal and no gadget. Often it's things you don't actually need, just like or like.
Mu I usually leave it to my wife, although she doesn't negotiate hard enough, but under the motto “those people also have to eat” I leave it that way.
My daughter on the other hand is much harder and actually the same as me. If the target price is not met, then never mind.
When I first came to Thailand, I also thought this haggling was a fun sport, at least if you don't go to extremes. And although I can conduct the whole negotiation in Thai speech, my Thai wife still has to laugh when I come home with many expensive things.
That's why I've given up, and even if my wife does the negotiating, try to stay out of the salesperson's field of view.
Often when a farang comes into play, or field of view, it automatically becomes more expensive, although many may deny this.
Bargaining is first of all delving into the value of a product.
With this in mind, you can also negotiate seriously.
Compare the price at multiple shops. Don't forget that many shops in MBK and Pantip, among others, have the same owner.
We usually sell on the market at very competitive prices. Most Thai don't bargain here.
They respect our price and know that they get service and warranty.
The same applies to purchasing. If it concerns large quantities, it is simply consultation with the suppliers.
Fortunately, doing business with the Chinese Thai is pleasant in all respects. With the Thai it is often that they charge a high price. They also want to know immediately how much you want.
I often run away. But after a few weeks they ask why I don't buy anything. Just explain why. Well, attitudes change.
And trading is simply a matter of mutual respect and trust.
As a result, they often offer large residual lots at rock bottom prices.
Sometimes 3 tuktuks go to the shop fully loaded.
If you want to haggle, learn the Thai amounts. Immediately indicates that you are not a tourist.
And that women are better at negotiating is equivalent to saying that women cannot park or nonsense
When negotiating it is indeed very important that it is done in a friendly relaxed manner. At the market I never ask if I can get a discount, because that goes without saying.
The price mentioned is always an initial price. I often start with an opening bid that is too low. That gives the necessary leeway. Then the answer is often that I am rich after all because I am here on vacation. Then I explain that I came completely on foot, in clogs, and that I have 12 children. Then there is some laughter. It also creates a bond and when I come again I just say what I want to pay and they agree with a smile.
A friend who sometimes comes along simply pays the asking price under the motto they have to earn something too. Then they are dissatisfied because they could have asked for more. One evening when we met several merchants on the boulevard, they warmly shook my hand and did not look at my friend.
Nice story and very relatable. Always thought that soonlot (ส่วนลด) meant discount and Rot that when pronounced Lot meant car.
I don't bargain. I ask the price and if it is too high I walk away. I don't want my wife to do this in front of me either. In fact, I usually get things cheaper than my wife, if I'm alone or she doesn't interfere, because, as a trader said to me, “a Thai always wants it cheaper so I raise the price first” There you go.
In everyday life, negotiating a discount is not the most normal thing in the world. A bit on the local market, but then you have had it.
New buckets of paint are sealed
Well, if you receive a quote, you discuss the price and see what can be done about it, which is no different in the Netherlands.
But other than that I completely disagree with you.
In my opinion, it is most convenient to have several quotations issued and not to keep it a secret. Then those who price themselves out of the market automatically fall out and you can assume that you don't have to squeeze the rest out completely first.
My experience is also the same as that of Corretje, there is trading almost everywhere in Thailand. Only in large department stores where mainly brands of articles are sold, and the well-known large supermarkets, this is not common. Even in cases such as the MBK in Bangkok, where it becomes clear that the seller is trying to sublease his goods, trading is taking place.
A few years ago I saw a beautiful Seiko at an independent official dealer. For 41.800 Baht, then 836 euros. In the Netherlands it was 1150, and newly released, I found out on the internet.
Three days in a row to look and try to get some off.
Day 1 37.000 Baht. Day 2 34.000 Baht. Day 3 32.000 Baht, 640 euros. Then bought. Look, that puts a little bit of effort!
On the markets with T-shirts and so on, you increasingly see fixed prices. I think that the Thai themselves sometimes get a little tired of it.
It is always nice to see the wallet seller in the bar busy. He sells excellent wallets, which are priced fifty meters away for 350 baht in a market stall.
He asks for 1500 and then you have to see how proud people are when they have made the purchase of their life for 700 baht…