Have you ever bought something on your cruise only to later find out that you paid more than it’s worth?

The art of haggling dates back thousands of years; in many countries it is still what the shopping experience revolves around. From items of food to garments, in many countries across the world prices can be brought down depending on the haggling skill of the consumer.

However, the rules of engagement can be different as a result of environment and history.

Here are some tips to help you haggle your way to a bargain:

Respect The Vendor

You can definitely haggle and bag a bargain in Port Vila Vanuatu

Pace yourself and try not to give in to temptation and spend all your money on the first stall you see at your first port of call.

Roam around to see what you’re after and how much different retailers are quoting. If you’re eyeing a quality knockoff, it’s going to cost more than some extra change.

You can’t just request any old price – offending retailers isn’t going to get you the outcome you want. Be reasonable about how much things might cost, and always respect the local vendors.

Be True To Your Word

It’s really disrespectful to have the vendor agree to take a price that came out of your mouth and then withdraw without buying it

Don’t negotiate for any article you aren’t ready to purchase

This is more a rule of the morals than a haggle tip. If you get into a bidding war with a vendor where you are going hither and thither with prices, it’s really disrespectful to have the vendor agree to take a price that came out of your mouth and then withdraw without buying it.

Virtually anything else is tolerable within this practice because either party always has the choice of saying no, but once the vendor says yes to your proposal then you are committed. The message here is don’t negotiate for any article you aren’t ready to purchase. You can ask for a price, just don’t make counter offers unless you are willing to pay that sum right then.

Pay With Cash

Carry small notes of money so you can give the exact amount (preferably in the local currency)

More often than not, if you are perusing outdoor stalls they do not have electricity or wi-fi, making it impossible for them to accept credit cards.

Carry small notes of money so you can give the exact amount (preferably in the local currency) — vendors will welcome this and will be more likely to negotiate.

Be sure to ascertain what the article is — as well as where it’s from, what it’s made of, and how old it is — before you start negotiating. This will show the vendor that you’re a clever consumer, that you recognise what you’re looking for, and that you’re serious about the purchase.

Don’t start by diving in with a price that’s too low. Open your negotiation by saying you’ll pay 60 percent of the listed price. This is polite of the skill and hours that went into creating the item, predominantly when it’s handmade. Anything less than that amount might be aggressive.

Have Your Poker Face On

Even if you’ve found exactly what you’ve been searching for. Look as if your uncertain of how much you like the item

The minute the vendor senses the flicker of excitement in your eyes, he will know he has the advantage in the negotiation.

Relax — even if you’ve found exactly what you’ve been searching for. Look as if your uncertain of how much you like the item.

Be able to walk away. If your negotiation reaches a deadlock and the vendor seems like he’s unwilling to move, you must elect if you want to buy the item at the greater price or risk losing it.

When you walk away from a negotiation, a vendor will see that she’s about to miss the sale and will habitually call you back, conceding to the lower price.

There are no assurances, naturally. You may walk away with nothing — or it could be the move that gets you the item you want at the right price.