photo credit: DMahendra

One of the plus side of living here is the cheaper cost of living than back in the US – noted it depends on your chosen lifestyle of course.

Who doesn’t like a bargain? I know I do!

There are places to shop here that you have to use your haggling skill…although I’m not as mean of a haggler as my Aunt Vera, I’d like to think that I’m pretty good at it.

Some places will require haggling and with no price tags the seller can easily triple the price if they see a ‘bule‘ shopping around. Or if I’m with DH they will give me such a mean look when I start bargaining. Some bluntly said “Ah gaji suaminya kan dollar, masak nawar sih!” (Ah, why are you bargaining when your husband get paid in dollars!). Several times, when the sellers are girls…they completely ignore me, looked pass me as if I’m invisible and only talk to DH.

Annoying right, but I’m getting used to this.

“Bule price” – or loosely translated “Caucasian price” will always be slightly higher especially if you’re a newbie in this city – different for tourists of course – and does not speak any word in Indonesian. Most people will try to get more money from tourists, but they never get angry if you refuse to pay anything but the “harga biasa” (normal price).

After living and working here for almost a year plus being married to an Indonesian woman for almost 5 years, DH’s Indonesian is improving a lot and he surprised me last weekend buy haggling for a plastic airplane for Lil’ A…the one they sell on the side of the road! Impressive, Mister!

Here’s my own version of haggling 101 – Jakarta Style

• Start by asking in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) “Berapa? (How much?) try not to shows you’re dying to get that thing!
• Prepare a counter strike – if let’s say they give you 300 say “Turunin dikit dong!” (lower it) and give your offer – you can start by haggling it half the given price. Hey, never hurts to try right?
• They will probably say “Wah, belum dapet, Mister” (it can’t be too low) and they will give you another price, slightly cheaper but we’re not there yet!
• Counter back and ask “Pasnya berapa?” (how much is your last offer?)
• If you’re still not happy with the price just say “Masih mahal…nanti saja” (still too expensive, maybe later) and start walking away. Yes, walk away slowly like you don’t even care.
• Usually at this point some of them will start calling you back by either saying Mister Mister or Miss Miss.
• You’ll hear “Okay, okay Mister…segini deh. Udah paling murah nih!” (Okay, I’ll give you this much. That’s the lowest I can go.”
• If you think the price is cool enough then by all means pay for it and thank them.

For me the walk away action usually works 98% of the time. Haggling can actually be a fun game if you keep a good attitude about it. Don’t forget to smiles! Indonesian loves to smile. Happy haggling and if you have more tips to add please do share!