How to be a bargain shopper in Peru

Ah, Peru! The land loaded with textiles, delicious Inca Kola, and street peddlers galore. I’m not ashamed to say I dropped a few dolla dolla bills in Peru (except there they’re called soles, of course). I’m not ashamed to say I loaded up on tacky souvenirs to bring home and thrust into my friends’ arms while declaring, “HERE! See? I’m not a cheapskate!”

I learned how to master the art of haggling in Peru.

Do you want to know how I scored this sweet alpaca purse for $10CAD?

Do you want to know how I walked away with this FREAKISHLY COOL piece of jewellery for $25?

Can you guess what my favourite colour is?

Come closer, I’ll tell you.

I did. Absolutely. Nothing.

I’m pretty passive aggressive, unless you’re being a bitch. I’m also cheap. Did I mention that? The whole currency conversion thing never works in my mind, so when someone tells me something is 20 soles I think, “Shit! That’s a lot of money!” It takes some time for me to realize that it’s a steal. Like this bomb green scarf, for $5 CAD.

And I hate, hate, HATE haggling. I remember my first haggling experience: I wanted a black coconut ring in Mexico. The sweet-talkin’ vendor said something along the lines of, “20 pesos, but just for you.” I bought, I didn’t even argue. Just for ME? What a deal!

I still work by this mentality, mostly. But Peru was a bit different. I ran into the bathroom of a jewellery shop and then felt compelled to at least browse, and the blue ring above caught my eye. The lady chased me around the store after I turned down her price, and I hadn’t even tried to haggle. Finally she reasoned with me, and tossed in a magnet for free. I saved like $20 CAD, just for being entirely passive aggressive.

The same happened in the market in Cusco. The alpaca purse caught my eye and I inquired about the price. I decided 30 soles was way too much, and started backing away. The vendor called after me, asking, “How about 25?” The truth was I only had 20 soles left, and told her. “Fine,” she said, reaching for the purse. “Have it.” I think she was pissed. I, on the other hand, have a sweet alpaca purse.

So that’s it. Be passive aggressive, but friendly. Don’t bitch. God, I hate when people bitch. I have retail tales of terror from this year’s Christmas stint at a gift shop, so believe me when I say that most sales associates have no control over the prices of their products.

This might not be the same for Peru, but still, don’t be a bitch.

I visited Peru with Contiki. You should too!

  • December 14 2011

    Is it bad that I’m ridiculously, can’t wait, should book a flight now excited to go to Peru now, just from the possibility that I might be able to score some sweet jewelry and scarves?

    • December 30 2011

      HECK NO, one of the perks! So cheap. Hahhaa.

  • December 14 2011

    I want everything you got! I need to go to Peru ASAP!

    • December 30 2011

      Seriously, a shopper’s DREAM

  • December 14 2011

    I am SO not a shopaholic but I went crazy in Peru last year. All Christmas presents of course. Okay okay and some were presents for myself! But I love those paper mâché mirrors (you know those gold ones?) so much, I brought one home on my lap on the plane because I knew it wouldn’t survive in my checked bag.

    • December 30 2011

      Lol! I ended up buying a bunch of earrings from friends…and had to keep a few for myself. I just HAD to.

  • December 14 2011

    I loves that purse!

    I suck at haggeling or I always try to hagel at the places that literally cant and then Im all what the F*** and stop trying then get ripped off at the place where I could of haha

    • December 30 2011

      Hahaha, I remember even after being in SA for 9 days, it was weird to come back to Canada and NOT haggle. We should try that at Sobey’s or something. “THESE BERRIES HAVE MOLD ON THEM, I DEMAND A DISCOUNT!”

  • December 14 2011

    That purse is awesome. As it that scarf. And that ring. Damn, girl, you found some awesome stuff in Peru!

    I’m with you on the haggling, though – I hate it, and I’m really bad at it. I tried to avoid it when I was in China, but they don’t really understand the concept of “browsing” there, and I made a t-shirt vendor at the Great Wall really mad when I wouldn’t buy one of her shirts because she didn’t have my size. I’m still convinced she called me fat.

    • December 30 2011

      Lol! I hate when they get angry. I feel like I’d burst into tears.

  • December 15 2011

    I would have gone way over on the Showcase Showdown, Candice!
    Looks like you would have won both!
    :)

    • December 30 2011

      Man, I need to get on da Price is RIGHT

  • December 15 2011

    I had a really unnerving shopping experience in the markets in Cancun. For one, I made the mistake of shopping alone and I probably should have opted for a long skirt or longer shorts. All the vendors were following me around, breathing down my neck try to to get me to buy everything in sight. On top of that, they felt compelled to touch my tattoos, most of which are on my legs. Not cool.

    • December 30 2011

      Same thing happened to us in Cancun, one of the guys started making obscene gestures at a tour leader. Agh! There was a big group of us though, so we left quickly.

  • December 15 2011

    I’m a guy but I still find that alpaca handbag cool. Something I would buy for a woman and insist that she carry it around all the time (lol). Good job and good purchases.

    • December 30 2011

      Hahaha, thanks! I’m drawn to all things blue. It’s a problem.

  • December 17 2011

    I’m lukewarm on the purse but really like the ring a lot. :) I think you made out well, Candice, although to be honest with you, if you’d dickered you probably could have gotten them for less. Still, I think you did get good deals. I almost never buy anything anymore, since I don’t want to tote stuff around or pay to send stuff back home. It’s great that you left room in your luggage :)

    • December 30 2011

      I def could have gotten them for less, I think! But I always feel so bad about doing it. I always think, “What would i pay for this in Canada?” Not the ideal way to do it, but I can be a coward. Hahaha.

  • December 17 2011

    Love that scarf and all the colors are working for you.

  • December 19 2011

    I’m horrible at haggling as well… especially when whatever I’m buying is like 1/10th of what I’d spend in the States. Or when the vendor is like, “I’ll give you special first customer price.” How could they lie to me? I’m their FIRST CUSTOMER?

    • December 30 2011

      I KNOW! They’re SO GENUINE!

  • December 19 2011
    Kim

    “Don’t be a bitch” is always good advice. Love that scarf!

    • December 30 2011

      Lol, thanks! And a good motto to carry everywhere. ;)

  • December 19 2011

    What app is that to get the cool photo effect?

    I hate haggling too, especially when all I’m usually saving is a US dollar or two. I usually just try and talk them down a few dollars, see what they say (since they usually inflate the price for suckers) and then make the deal.

    • December 30 2011

      Instagram! Actually, that’s just a weird mirrored shot. It wasn’t supposed to turn out that way.

  • December 23 2011
    Sean

    Hey, I really love your blog!! I have checked out your site and was going to tweet you but couldnt find your twitter. I found you because of your nomination here http://www.apartime.com/best-bloggers/ . Congratulations and the best of luck, hope you win!!!

    • December 30 2011

      Wow, thanks Sean, I’m honoured!

  • December 25 2011

    I have wicked purse envy every time I see that purse. Seriously. The colour just makes me happy. And I adore alpacas.

    I also hate haggling.

    • December 30 2011

      I should have brought you back the purple one!

      • December 30 2011

        there was a purple one?!
        GO BACK!

  • January 01 2012

    HA! A sweet and timely post that I plan to implement during my trip there in May. It is definitely true that you have to have a ‘my name is sam and I don’t give a damn’ attitude when ‘haggling’ with vendors. I can only hope to do as well as you did, Candice. Brava!

    • January 04 2012

      Lol, I hope you do BETTER! Like Sabina said, I bet I could have haggled those purchases down even further. But hey, I’m satisfied!

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

FREE CANDIE FOR ALL!
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE POSTS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX