How to Barter Like a Guilty Tourist
We have vacated our dream rental apartment in Barcelona. As I write this, we’re sitting at the airport having a pre-flight, early morning cup of coffee. Yes, we’re back in the game with airlines and their nefarious ways. This time, with a real heavy-hitter, Vueling. You’ve probably heard of Vueling. It’s the airline that hasn’t met a fee it doesn’t like to impose.
Just don’t call to inquire about those fees because they’ll charge you to speak with someone. Take that, despite the fact that Vueling claims to be “always thinking about you.” How sweet.
So.. this morning was a jumbled mess. We couldn’t pay for our baggage fees online so had to do it at the airport. As a penalty, we incurred an even higher fee. To make matters even worse, after checking in, we were sent to another line to pay the fees. All of this is done – as they profess – to make customers’ experiences easier. Yeah, right.
There’s no negotiating with the airlines and their rules and fees. I wish that wasn’t the case. We’re good at that kind of negotiating. I wish, too, that that skill translated to being expert street barterers.
On the road – when we buy souvenirs (rarely) – we’re now trying to be more mindful of purchasing locally made items. Often times, that means engaging in the requisite back and forth on price.
Our pre-hagling strategy is always to: 1) get the price from the vendor and then 2) say we have less money on us.
Vendor says: “20 Euros.”
One of us says: “We have 15 Euros on us.”
What actually happens is significantly different.
Vendor says: “20 Euros.”
One of us says: ”Oh, good! I have 25 Euros.”
Every time. How’s that for some kind of guilt creeping in?
We’re gonna practice in a few minutes on the plane. We have to burn the preferred strategy into our brains because we’re heading to Morocco – a dickerer’s paradise. Ayayay.
As we take off for a new country, we’ll leave you with three pictures from Barcelona (it was a Gaudi photo-a-thon) along with photos from Lisbon and Malaga. All places where we bartered poorly!
Wish us better luck in Morocco. At this point, it’s not looking so good.
Funny, I was just bragging about our haggling skills when you posted this at the same time!
Thanks for the tips. We’ll also watch for a post from Scott.
We learned in Thailand that one of the best haggling strategies is to ask the price, then give a polite (but small) smile and walk away. The vendor will invariably come back with “Wait, how much do you want to pay? How about (# that’s half the first quote)?”
BOOM. Bartered. It seems to effectively drop the price from “astronomical tourist amount” to “okay, let’s be serious” amount. And it works for those of us totally barter-challenged.
That definitely seems to work well in Asia. In the Caribbean, they just don’t seem to care if you buy or not – weird.
Well, we’re already getting lots of practice here in Morocco. Even when there’s a price on the item, they overcharge you.
Hilarious. I love all the photos you included in this post, more photos in the future please!
Will do!
Oh well, I’ll remember that airline’s name for my own sake
Btw, have a great time in Morocco! (I’m sure you will). Casablanca, Fes, Marrakesh, oh I really wanto to go to that country!
Thanks, Bama – we’re seeing A LOT. Watch for posts.
Lovely photos of Barcelona
Can Ryanair beat Vueling fee-wise?? 
From everything we hear, Ryanair is worse. We’ve never been on one of their flights. Anyone compared the two?
I really love those photos you have here and I guess a lot of people would be very excited to visit Morocco too..
LOL! I just love, love, love this. Yes, excellent advice on haggling and excellent venting on Vueling.
Well… not such excellent advice on haggling
Oh, Vueling and their nasty ways… gotta love’em
We’ve got stories for you!
haha this used to happen to me – now I know what I’m willing to pay and I stick with it. I just laugh and smile and continue to say $5 until I get it. Perfect strategy – they don’t think I’m being crazy because I’m laughing along with them. PS. Where you heading in Morocco? I live in Marrakech – I’d love to meet up if you’re heading my way!
That’s a strategy I’ve not heard of. Consider it soon to be experimented with!
Sounds a bit like the airline I just flew in SE Asia… always trying to get some extra money out of you. Great photos of Barcelona and Lisbon and good luck with the haggling in Morocco!
Thanks, Mark!
We are headed to Barcelona on Tuesday. I can hardly wait. I am the worst at bartering. I don’t know how I got so bad at it. When I lived in San Diego as a kid we would go down to TJ all the time and my Dad would give me 5 pesos. I would come home with loads of stuff. I was the best at talking everyone down. Now, I try and get stuck paying probably more then it was initially. Maybe there was no fear as a kid! Who knows! Enjoy Morocco! Sounds great!
Can’t wait to read how you do!
Funny, I had a great experience flying Vueling from Santiago de Compostela to Barcelona. They were much less hassle than RyanAir or any of the other low cost budget airlines…
I’m curious, was it too much of a hassle to get a ferry to Morocco from Barcelona? I took a ferry (more like a cruise ship!) to Rome from Barcelona and it was one of my most memorable travel experiences.
I’m planning to go to Morocco in the fall, so I am looking forward to your posts…
Since we wanted to go to Marrakech, flying made the most sense.
i loved barcelona.
i never learned your bartering method, though…but i think i may have to pass.
Yes…. do pass!
When I first read the name of the airline, I thought you meant Dueling. Umm after reading a bit more, didn’t seem to change my opinion.
As for the bargaining, I am awful at it too. And yet I bargained for a new wallet in Turkey at the Grand Bazaar. I got it for a lot less than he offered. The tactic I went in with was giving Ali all my money except for the amount I was willing to pay. Then just repeating that amount at the guy until he said yes. Then fumbling around looking for said bill in my pocket.
Wow… that’s a good strategy!