Haggling at the Faire

[Hercules]

Probably not a popular subject. But with the economic times I thought I'd ask. Since most vendors seem to be independents. Would haggling for a sale be frowned upon or welcomed in order to do business?

In other words. Would a vendor prefer a customer to just walk away or make a counter offer?  

[KiltedPrivateer]

You'll have a tough time trying to get wares for less than the asking price.  I do know that there are some vendors who go in on a trade with other vendors, but I don't know of many who barter with the patrons.  Not that I know every vendor either.

[Zaubon]

I think we may have a misunderstanding. Bartering is exchanging goods for other goods. Haggling is negotiating prices. I can't speak for vendors at TRF, but I've found that most business's are open to reasonable haggling in these times. Just remember that the vendors have to eat too and don't insult their work.

[Hercules]

You are correct Zaubon. I mean haggling.

I realize some items at Ren. Faires are high and I'm usually liberal with my purchases. However, at Scarborough, I ran across an item I wanted that was waaay over-priced. I was drooling over the item, the Faire was close to closing. We kinda had a staring contest as if to see if one of us would throw out another amount. I didn't want to insult so I just slunk away.

[Breandan]

Simplest answer: Retailers (with the exception of the pirate booth), no. Craftspeople, possibly. Retailers usually have a set markup that they put on their wares and generally won't- or can't- budge from it. The Pirates have their auction, so that's the best place to go for haggling (though you'll be fighting a crowd), and craftspeople generally have some leeway on their goods, depending on how badly they need to sell it. Still, never offer anything less than 85% of the listed price, that would insult them. This isn't a bazaar in Damascus 

[BLAKDUKE]

Rather than haggling and taking a chance on insulting the vendor, I merely ask "is that the best you can do??"  If he lowers the price then I have to decide whether I am willing to pay the new price, if so then I pay it, if not then I merely say thank you and walk away and no one is offended

[Wolfden]

You would also do well to ask if something is a cash price, some vendors will offer a discount for cash especially if it is a higher price item. Some will also offer to "pay" the sales tax for you. I put that in quotes because it is technically illegal in TX for someone to pay sales tax for you as part of a transaction, but they are really offering you a discount and will adjust their sales price when reporting the tax. I have also found that if you are serious about buying but can't decide, some vendors are able to sense that and will offer a lower price.

[LadyElizabeth]

Haggling at TRF is definitely doable, but like people said, really only with artisans.  And I do think they'd rather sell something for a bit lower than not sell it...  The way I usually approach it is saying something like, "Well I'm not sure I can afford that price, can you go a bit lower because I really love this item"...  Don't expect tons lower though cause that's unlikely for the great work they do!!

[Mouse]

In the context of haggling at faire, I was wondering what shoppes were best to go to, not just for haggling. I am looking for quality as well as price, in say, swords, wares (wares meaning a good drum and wineskin me thinks.) But mainly, A sword breaker. I have been looking for one of these puppies for years, and not a Bud K or Museum Replicas piece. By sword breaker, I mean all types, but specifically, a comb, a sword breaking dagger. I would of perused to see if there was a thread of this nature already established, but have you SEEN how many there are?

[groomporter]

Probably not a popular subject. But with the economic times I thought I'd ask. Since most vendors seem to be independents. Would haggling for a sale be frowned upon or welcomed in order to do business?

In other words. Would a vendor prefer a customer to just walk away or make a counter offer?  

With the economy the way it is a lot of artists may have already made price cuts on their stuff. (At the Master Artists' Dinner at MNRF many of the artists said their sales were down as much as 50% in spite of price cuts and very good attendance numbers this year.) So some might be insulted if you ask something like "is that the best you can do?"

[Carl Heinz]

I swapped one of my ermine skull and feather hat devices for a toy grade crossbow this last weekend.

Keep in mind that vendors generally have to pay a percentage to the event as well as collect sales taxes and cover their expenses.  I don't know any wealthy crafts people or vendors.  There's not a lot of slack.

But, to answer your question, most are generally asked the same question many times a day and they'll have no problem telling you whether their prices are negotiable without being offended.

If the price being asked is more than you want to pay or you think the price is more than the item is worth to you, don't buy it.  If you think you're getting good value, want the item, and can afford it, get it.

Sometimes I'll want custom work and we'll negotiate the price in advance.

[Ronald the Bald]

Some vendors will haggle. Especially those craftsmen who actually make the stuff they sell. I worked as a craftsman 1 year at 2 different faires. It was hard to know what price to ask since each item was different, took different amounts of time, and used different materials to make. I would have more leeway on the things I personally made than the ones the store owner made.

The best times to haggle are:
  High dollar items. You won't get anywhere haggling for steak on a stake, but if you offer $2000 for a $2100 item you just might get it.
  Multiple items. Offering $9 for a $10 plate probably won't go anywhere. But offering $180 on a set of 20 $10 plates might be accepted.
  Custom orders. You can usually negotiate the price when you order custom clothing, armour, weapons, etc. Be prepared to hear counter offers, such as a delay in getting the item, paying cash, a change in materials, bigger deposit, etc.
   Paying cash. $1000 cash is worth more to a vendor than a check or credit card purchase. They have fees or the bother of taking it to the bank. Cash is king and does get respect. For some low-end vendors a cash purchase may mean having enough to pay for gas home this weekend.

No vendor should be insulted or have a problem with "Is that your best price?" It is a good question and just part of being in sales. He can always say. "This is the best price." or it might give him the chance to explain why this item is worth what he is charging. It is a good sales opening. Don't be offended.

[CaraGreenleaf]

Speaking from the booth manager's point of view, there are several booths in which we as managers are stuck with the prices. I sell for someone else who is working at another festival simultaneously. Because I am not the owner, I'm not authorised to offer discounts or lower prices. Which does bother me. On my own personal creations, I offer 10% off to R/Fers, M'Cracks, and other Guild members with pins displayed. It bothers me that I cannot offer the same working where I am right now, but at the same time, I know that this is someone else's business and I'm not going to interfere. I have had a couple of patrons attempt to haggle, and other vendors asking after boothy discounts, but I am stuck at the "not allowed" stage. You will run into that alot. But it can never hurt to ask...

[Mouse]

What is an R/F pin? Sure it is an obvious question, but I nary like to make myself look the idiot, though all I ever have to do is present me mug to see.

[CaraGreenleaf]

They're kind of like guild pins for those of us on this forum. I don't have the link handy, but I'm sure someone can find the link to the thread where you can buy one!