Information:
 Knowing
how to bargain in Gambia is a skill that is an essential
way of life, and is indispensable when buying goods
from roadside or market vendors, so be prepared to haggle
hard over their asking prices. Below are some useful
bargaining tips tourists should learn.
 If
you see something you want to buy, start by saying "Nyatta
La", which means "how
much is it" in Wolof, and if you are a man
shake hands first before bargaining can commence. This
will often please the seller and make him more amiable
towards you as well as reduce his intended asking price,
as he will feel you know a bit about local costs already.
As soon as he tells you the cost reply "Daffa seerr"
which means "it's too expensive",
and follow this with "Wanyi Ko" which means
"reduce the price".
Be good humoured and jovial in your negotiations as
this helps break the ice. If you are pressed for time
then ask him "what is your last-price" (commonly
done) and if it is anything above 2/3 of the original
cost then walk away with a smile.
Try not to look like a tourist if you want to stand
any chance of getting a bargain, particularly in the
Kololi
and Kotu
resorts. Shopkeepers can often easily spot you out from
those that live in Gambia. A few things you can do is
to hide your money or belt bag, stride confidently but
not too quickly, as this is a sure sign you are from
Europe or America.
Never pay the asking price from a street vendor or goods
shop. This is not Europe where they tend to be fixed,
and even if you feel that the item is reasonably priced
ask for it to be lowered. Never make an offer first.
You may think that it would be a bargain when in fact
you are paying over the odds.
Shop vendors and street hawkers will nearly always ask
a tourist to pay more than he or she would for the locals,
as locals are into haggling very hard indeed, and are
quite prepared to try someone else where agreement cannot
be reached.
 Be
patient when negotiating over the price of goods and
add a smile while doing so however, do not over bargain
as the vendor may get irritated and upset. When tourist
shopping expect to pay 30% to 40% lower than what he
had originally offered the item to you for.
If you can't agree then one trick is to say that you
are just taking a look at other items further down the
street and that you might come back. If the vendor doesn't
call you back immediately to re-negotiate then he had
probably made his final offer to you.
 Do
not bother haggling over prices charged in the supermarkets,
restaurants, bars, nightclubs and 'Bitiks' as they tend
to have fixed prices. Likewise don't bother with small
items purchased from the local 'Pular' corner
shop such as a packet of razors, insect spray, fruits,
peanuts, purified water bottles, bread or coffee. However,
if you are approached on the beach by a fruit seller
or other hawker then do ask for a reduction. If you
have bought a lot of items in bulk from a supermarket
then it is worthwhile asking them to reduce their price
as they are often willing to offer a discount, particularly
to valued customers.
If your hotel
room lacks any promised facility or you are intending
to stay over 2 weeks in Gambia, then it might be worthwhile
asking for a reduction of hotel room rates.
Tourist taxi
fares tend to be fixed though there is scope for negotiation
depending on the distance and time you require the driver's
services. Ask at your hotel reception desk or your holiday
rep for advice.
Services:
When it comes to hiring the services of local skilled
craftsman such as a plumber, bricklayer or construction
contractor be prepared to bargain. Tip: Get quotes from
two or three professionals, and let them know you are
getting quotes from others before making up your mind. |
