60. Haggle with Style
Whether you’re in a flea market, a car lot, or Mexico, you need to be able to haggle. We all have one friend who isn’t afraid to disagree with an item’s “suggested” cost. That’s the friend we bring with us to the craft fair. We love that friend.
Look, haggling is a sport. It’s not about getting the best price, it’s about playing the game with flair. At the end of a good session, both parties should feel invigorated.
Sure, it can be intimidating, but remember that since the dawn of man our entire economy has been based on this negotiated give and take (spices for livestock, glass beads for Manhattan Island, dinner and a movie for sex). The entire notion of a set listed price is counter to human nature.
P.S.: It’s bad form to start bargaining if you don’t actually intend to purchase, but, if the vendor doesn’t want to play properly, you need to be able to walk away. You’re setting the tone for the next haggler.
