2.5: Bargain Shopping
In many open air markets in Latin America, it is customary to bargain over the price of goods. Here in the U.S. we don’t get many chances to bargain, so here are a few tips. Upon approaching a vendedor (seller), ask him the price of what you would like to buy. He will probably tell you a higher price than he expects to receive. Then, ask him how much he will let it go for to show him you want to bargain. He will probably give you a lower price. Then, if you do not want to pay the new price, you can offer him a lower price, usually about two-thirds the original offer. You do not want to give an offer that is too low, or you may insult the seller. Here are some bargaining phrases that may come in handy:
Listen to the following audio to hear each Spanish phrase.
Pregunta (Question):
- ¿Cuánto cuesta la camisa? (How much does the shirt cost?) Notice how costarchanges when the noun is plural. Example: ¿Cuánto cuestan los pantalones? (How much do the pants cost?)
- ¿Qué precio tiene la camisa? (What is the price of the shirt?)
- ¿Cuánto vale la camisa? (What is the shirt worth?)
Respuesta (Reply):
- Cuesta diez dólares. (It costs ten dollars.)
Pregunta:
- ¿Me puede rebajar el precio? (Can you lower the price for me?)
- ¿En cuánto lo deja? (How much will you let it go for?)
Respuesta:
- Aquí, no se puede regatear; tenemos precios fijos. (You can’t bargain here; we have fixed prices.)
- Formal: A usted, se lo doy por ocho dólares. Informal: A ti, te lo doy por ocho dólares. (I’ll give it to you for 8 dollars.)
- Formal: Se lo regalo por cinco dólares, pero es mi última oferta. Informal: Te lo regalo por cinco dólares, pero es mi última oferta. (I’ll give it to you (as a gift) for 5 dollars, but it is my last offer.)
Shopping For Sales – en barata
- el descuento – discount
- en barata – on sale
- la oferta – the sale
- dos por uno – two for one
- una ganga – a bargain
- gratis – free
- por ciento – percent
Examples:
- Estoy mirando, nada más. (I’m only looking.)
- ¡Cuesta una fortuna! (It costs a fortune!)
- ¡Cuesta un montón! (It costs a ton!)
