In Reply to: looking in shops posted by any bali advice on Thursday, 22. April 2010 at 06:40 Bali Time:
There are lots of fixed price shops with the price on a tag (and it is always worth asking for a better price anyway especially if you buy more than one thing). At other places it can be a pain if you ask "How much?" and then they say a price, you say no, they say "How much you pay?" ad infinitum. Don't get involved unless you are prepared to buy the item then & there. Firmly say you are just looking & walk away. You will get a feel for what reasonable prices are within a day or 2. Don't say you'll buy later or you will be hounded until you do.
Generally, it's good to shop as soon as the shops open (10ish often) - "Morning price for luck". If the shopkeeper makes a sale just after opening then they believe they will have a good day.
Bargaining (NOT bartering which means trading ITEMS with no cash involved whereas bargaining means trading an item for cash) is pretty easy if irksome. Don't worry if you get ripped off - it's usually only for a dollar or 2 so no biggie & it happens to everyone.