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So, when negotiating prices with locals (e.g. taxi drivers, vendors, weed dealers), what's your strategy? Start at half of what they're asking? Less than half?
Let's say you're taking a taxi from the middle of long beach up to Bloody Bay, and you want to pay $10. If the driver says $20, what do you counter with? Just go right to $10 and tell them that's all you'll pay, or go lower (like $7) and let him negotiate up to $10?
If something cost more than I want to pay, I don't buy it.
Take route taxi, no negotiations.
Dan...when I charter a taxi I have a set amount in mind and offer that price.
If they don't want that price I'll wait for the next red plate driver that will accept it...the taxis come along quick during the day.
The $10us for two people is more than fair and you should never have a problem offering that amount.
Same, I offer 1000J and don't negotiate
Doc great seeing you and Paula
Sorry we missed saying bye yesterday morning
Hope Paula is feeling better
Hope to see you all next year
When I haggle in any country: I almost always bid half of what they ask and go from there; unless the ask is unusually low or high. I also have a max price in mind.
As for taxis in Negril, as Bnewb said, I have a set price during the day. At night, I'll budge if it looks like I might be stuck for a while.
Yah mon. PM me Deb's email for PaulaQuote:
Originally Posted by JahCruiser
With all the '' negotiating talk, please folk keep in mind the busy season in Negril is only a few months. This is when the vendors that make there living selling,
have to make there money to last a while.
While some of the haggling is okay, please do not do it with the hard workers, like the fruit ladies, the pattie man, the folks that are beating a path in the hot sun, to make ends meet. I once had someone close to me on the beach buying an orange , asked how much, was told 50 cents and replied, '' how about 2 for fifty cents ? '' Come on now.... :( And even though it's fine to use the route taxi, keep in mind, the local prices are not for the tourist, expect to pay more, that extra buck is not going to make or break ya ! Okay, I vented, I'm good ! :)
Silence is the best negotiation tool. If the price seems to high keep moving. If the seller needs/wants your money they will immediately find the price that will work for both of you. Jamaicans are very savy business men/women. It's not best to insult somebody who is trying to make a living.
Peace
Depends on where your coming from & going to ...say I'm travelling between the RIU & oh, let's just say for fun ...The Caves -
that's gonna cost ya ...
now if I wanna go from Jah B's to Mi Yard ... much easier to haggle
Do you have a AI bracelet on ???- cost ya more
1st timer or savvy vet ? - you get my drift -
rarely do I haggle ..I know what I want to pay & offer it - & if it's too steep of a price ...walk good
Mi likke!Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo p
When it comes to route taxi, I think their rate is every ones rate, you dont go to other countries and pay a different rate for taxi or buses when it comes to public transport,now because we can afford more we do give more in the way of a tip. Now I will never take a route taxi when the locals are getting off work or coming home from school, this is the time they need to use the route taxi. 2 cents..........Quote:
Originally Posted by IRIEchic
I've never been charged more for a route taxi being a tourist... but I usually hand over $200, which is more than the actual route costs in most cases. It's just a Little extra and I'm not on that tight of a budget. Also, in my experience, if a driver has room and sees you, they'll stop, any time of day. I only use a taxi if I'm on a time crunch, or already walked a bunch of miles getting where I'm going. And of course, after the sun goes down!
In any case, I totally agree that if prices are reasonable, just pay the price. If they aren't, walk ten feet and someone else probably has what you want at a different price.
If I'm solo I just take a red plate route taxi and pay the rate but round up as a tip and to avoid change.
When it's Donna and me and one of our regulars isn't available I offer twice the route rate pp, again rounding up plus more for waiting or jumping the route. Like Treehouse to Three dives. Almost never had to haggle just move on. In either case if we click I get a card or number. You can never have too many reliable friends that drive!
Read Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal. You will be a master negotiator in no time.
:rolleyes: