How to Haggle

The dirty little secret is that many merchants expect some haggling," says Max Edison, a pawnshop operator and author of the book How to Haggle: Professional Tricks for Saving Money on Just About Anything. "They build that into the initial price." Haggling, Edison says, is a game. You just have to play by a few rules.

• PICK THE RIGHT PLACE Who knows when you'll next get to a Moroccan bazaar? In the meantime you can practice wherever you roam. Flea markets, moving sales, antiques collectives, art galleries, small jewelers—owner-run places of all kinds are your best bets.
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK Whatever you hope to buy, Web surf and windowshop so you're up on the going prices.
• BRING CASH Even if merchants will accept Master Card, they'd rather take your greenbacks. You'll spare them credit card transaction fees—savings that could get passed on to you.
• DON'T SHOW YOUR HAND The velvet Elvis tapestry is calling your name, but wait—you might offer too much. Let the merchant name a price first. You could end up pleasantly surprised.
• BE POLITE Instead of blurting, "You want how much for this old thing?" try a sweet-toned "Will $25 buy this?"
• BARGAIN IN EARNEST If the seller meets your price, pony up. You won't get the same deal twice.

Illustration by Michael Klein [3]

This article was first published in January 2010. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.