Travel Tips To Shopping In Bali
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When shopping in the Bali traditional markets, you are able to bargain the asking price but some shops however do have fixed prices and you can usually tell these by their more western appearance. If in doubt though, ask the shopkeeper.
When you do begin your bargaining the first price offered by the shopkeeper will usually be about double the price they eventually will accept. Offer one third to begin with and then meet somewhere in the middle. This of course varies from place to place and item to item.
It is very important that if you do name a price and this is accepted that you do purchase at this price. Shopkeepers can get quite annoyed if you try for a further reduction or walk away. It’s also good to remember the value you actually bargaining over, 1,000 Rp is not a lot when converted to foreign hard currencies.
Moneychangers can be found at many places in Bali and on the street around the Tanjung Benoa area. The best rates are on the street, although there are some traps to be wary of. Lately, a big trap has been rigged of faulty calculators in the Tuban and Kuta areas. It’s best to check rates on your calculator or with a good old-fashioned piece of paper and pen.