In Reply to: last minute questions.... posted by carlzy on Thursday, 5. March 2009 at 16:02 Bali Time:
shops are ALMOST fixed prices!!
You need to get a handle on the price per gram on the day for a given purity of gold if you want to make comparisons.
In other words, don't compare a piece that is 80% against a piece that is 70% gold.
Generally, they use about three levels of purity, from 70% upwards (16 carat)
The purity and weight in grams is on the labels attached to each piece, so once you know the price per gram, and the weight, you can work the price.
From this price, you may be able to bargain down just a few percent of the asking price.
Ask them to write the offered price, and purity on the back of a biz card, because it can be confusing when you remember a "nice piece you saw earlier", and then can't find it again!!
If you have any old gold that is of no use to you, take it along and ask one of the ladies sitting on plastic stools to value it for you....you may be surprised at what you may get for it to go towards your purchase!!