Shopping in Cabo or Mexico in general can really be
an experience. Many of you who have already traveled deep into Mexico or
just over the border have experienced the small trinket shops that sell
all kinds of Mexican handicrafts, including blankets, pottery, masks,
silver jewelry, hats and much more.
If you don't expect a lot for $5 your expectations will be fulfilled
The fun begins with the fact that in most of these
small stores the price is far from fixed. The ability to haggle
(definition from dictionary.com: To bargain, as over the price of
something; dicker: “He preferred to be overcharged than to haggle”). Well
not I, if I can haggle the price down easily then I will. I don’t want to
be a
“codo gringo”
but within reason the sellers expect you to do this.
There are a variety of gifts for the kids, but watch for the Made in
China stickers!
Now for a few Baja Insider tricks. First, always offer very low and when
they counter offer just act like that’s too much and become disinterested
at that price. Many times I’ll leave the store and go to the next starting
the process over and then using the lowest I could get at the last store
to motivate them to beat it. You can always return to the store with the
best price or the best quality product.
Another tip is not to talk directly in front of the
vendors when discussing the value with your shopping partner. Why? Because
many of them do speak or understand English and may use what you say
T-shirts are probably the leading 'one-size-fits-all' for your gift
list
to help close the deal or they may misunderstand what
you are saying and become offended. Just ask for a moment and wander the
store away from them while you discuss your desires
Licensed street vendors will wear an ID card around their neck in
plain view. Most vendors are not licensed.
Now mind you this is not the case in the more “gallery: like stores with
very special or fine products for sale. It is also not acceptable to
“Haggle” at the grocery or auto parts store for example. But in the street
stores and vendors at the “Tianguis” (open air market) it is not only
acceptable but expected.
Haggling can be fun and shouldn’t really stress you out.
Now when a vendor offers a hammock for $50.00 USD for example how much
lower should you offer? I generally cut the price in half. You may not
necessarily get that price as you should expect a counter offer much
higher. The process generally ends up in the middle between your low and
their high.
Yes
they do have that high of a margin on many products and I especially do
this when buying a volume of things. Just remember if offered with a smile
and respect they will not truly be offended. Many times they will act
disappointed and begin to tell you their hard luck story. The fact is,
many of these vendors for example in towns like Tijuana, Ensenada, Cabo or
mainland tourist areas do make very good profits even while paying some
pretty high rents.
Especially
those beach vendors that just keep coming on most tourist beaches in
Mexico, can really cut their price, as they pay no rent or permit fees at
all. These are not the vendors you should really buy silver from as the
“made In Mexico” and “521 silver stamps” are commonly fake as the Rolex
watches sold in the street. The best place to purchase silver is in the
true stores with clean display and a scale present to show you the
quality.
And then off the street there is another whole caliber of shopping
available in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. But that's
another article...
Plates are ever popular items and shouldn't cost you more than $12
ea. Bowls are slightly more.
This is meant to be fun and not offensive. There is no
reason to take what they say personally and if they do it generally is an
act. I know plenty of vendors that can make very good income even at half
price. Now this is not always the case with all products so if it is a
uncommon product or they have a reason such as better quality they may be
pretty tough on their price.
These two young ladies took a shopping break to get their hair
braided
As far as products you need to be careful these days for
instance if you’re buying some of those little guitars for the kids that
they are not from China. Lately there have been a lot of imitation
trinkets flooding the market form China. What is really funny is that many
merchants forge to remove the made in China sticker while trying to pass
it off as a Mexican made handicraft.
Haggling is only part of the adventure. Finding what you
want in the color style and or size you like can be a bit of a treasure
hunt. Many vendors will actually help you out if they don’t have what you
are looking for and they will send you to a friend for your purchase. Most
vendors are very cheerful and motivated almost to the point of being
bothersome. If you politely ask to be left alone to browse most will
accommodate you. Some vendors can be a bit pushy but remember you can
always just smile and move on.
Realize
however there are many differences in the quality of products. For example
the typical Mexican blanket can be the light weight or heavy weight
cotton. The sizes and quality of weave may differ as well. There are also
some very beautiful wool blankets and wall hangings these days that are
more of a gallery quality so don’t expect as much of a reduction in price
on something like that.
Have fun but don’t carry it too far and become offensive
or act as a cheapskate. Remember most likely the pesos you are saving are
not of nearly as much value to you as they are to the vendor. There is
however no reason to feel sorry for them and just pay the first price
given. They really do put the prices up expecting a little discussion
concerning price.
Yes
they do have that high of a margin on many products and I especially do
this when buying a volume of things. Just remember if offered with a smile
and respect they will not truly be offended. Many times they will act
disappointed and begin to tell you their hard luck story. The fact is,
many of these vendors for example in towns like Tijuana, Ensenada, Cabo or
mainland tourist areas do make very good profits even while paying some
pretty high rents.
Especially
those beach vendors that just keep coming on most tourist beaches in
Mexico, can really cut their price, as they pay no rent or permit fees at
all. These are not the vendors you should really buy silver from as the
“made In Mexico” and “521 silver stamps” are commonly fake as the Rolex
watches sold in the street. The best place to purchase silver is in the
true stores with clean display and a scale present to show you the
quality.
Realize
however there are many differences in the quality of products. For example
the typical Mexican blanket can be the light weight or heavy weight
cotton. The sizes and quality of weave may differ as well. There are also
some very beautiful wool blankets and wall hangings these days that are
more of a gallery quality so don’t expect as much of a reduction in price
on something like that.