Not sure if I'm any good at it but... Offer a quarter of what they are asking and let them beat you up to about a third, seems to work most times. Dont forget that sometimes it is only pennies you're haggling over! Still, it's the principle

It`s the fun of it Ray, it was my wifes first time last year and she kept going mad at me until she bought something and when I asked her to turn round,I pointed them out laughing at her feeble attempt as we walked away

On Anjuna market earlier on this year, the only orange fake Lacoste polo shirt on the whole market, when he wouldn't accept my offer I walked away (waiting for him to call me back) he didn't!! Should I have given in and give him the extra 30rps? In the end I got one at the hotel shop but it cost me another 75rps. You're right, it's great fun

And thats what we go on holiday for. Fun.

I've got a good one that works, but only towards the end of the holiday. See what you want, see how much they want and decide in your head on a fair price that you're prepared to pay.

Go back towards the end of the holiday and offer them slightly less than the maximum you will pay. After a few 'discussions' tell them that you only have XX (maximum) left as it is the end of the holiday and they can take it or leave it. Make sure that the amount you say you have is all you have in your pocket - or for added impact if there is more than one of you combine the contents of your wallets which miraculously comes to slightly higher than the figure you offered.

This has worked brilliantly for us in the past, and we have got some really nice things for around 1/4 of the initial asking price. I wouldn't do this on trinkets but for higher cost items it works. We've got things like a beautiful wall hanging and silk saris for a bargain using this method. The guy tried to sell us something of cheaper quality for the money we were offering and we told him it was for my Mother. We asked him if he would like us to insult her by taking cheaper goods from his shop and he folded - well, crumpled more like! His downfall was when he said he hadn't sold anything all day...

I know the arguement about it only being a couple of quid, but it's the thrill of the chase! Lets face it, if they didn't make enough they wouldn't sell it. It's such good fun!

I love it, drives my missus wild as she gets embarrassed, but I do like to get a bargain. I fail miserably when it comes down to the Tibetans in Calangute - I never have any luck with them. I'm only any good at it when it's something I don't want - or if there's loads about & I can get a few practice haggles in - wooden bowls etc. The tat in the fixed price shops are always a good indicator of where you should be aiming, about 30% less than them. Going to buy some jewelry this year so I'm a bit worried about whether you should be haggling with them for the expensive stuff......

I wouldn't haggle with a jewler unless you know your stuff because he will and could swap the goods without you knowing.

there is a thread someplace a page or two back with advice on where to buy.