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A Domestic and Overseas Shopping Comparison
When making a domestic and overseas shopping comparison, contrasting prices isn't the only requirement. In fact, many overseas destinations will seem to have very similar prices to those who don't understand the cultural dynamics related to shopping in these nations. An experienced traveler understands that, when one is shopping in a different nation, different rules apply and there are ways to save money that aren't readily apparent to the less-seasoned travelers in the world. Learning the ropes may take a guide and a lot of practice but the rewards can be significant.
While overseas shopping in boutique establishments will generally be the same as is shopping at home, one will find a far different situation in the open-air markets. This is particularly true in the Middle East and Asia. If one pays attention, they will often hear buyers and sellers engaged in a rapid back and forth and, if one understands a little of the local language, it will quickly be revealed that numbers are being exchanged. In many places in the world, bartering is a skill that is not only alive and well but which is part of the local culture and tradition.
When overseas, shopping for a bargain involves much more than simply checking the prices. Most often, the prices are something of an initial offer which the merchant expects to be countered by an offer from the customer. This, of course, would be taken as nothing short of an insult in some locations, particularly in the US and Europe, but is part of the shopping experience in many other parts of the world. If one develops the requisite skills, it can actually be quite a lot of fun and one can net some excellent deals in addition to the respect of the seller.
Overseas shopping requires some knowledge of the local economy. One's first offer should be low but not insulting. Remember that the sellers have families to feed and lives to live. Listen to other sales and see what sort of deals are being won by other shoppers. Start one's bid a bit lower than the going rate and expect to be bid up a bit. This is very intimidating to many shoppers but understand that paying the sticker price may well be a huge unnecessary expense. Most often, sellers take up the occupation because they have some skill in the ancient art of bartering so expect a robust exchange!