Don't get shafted again...

So you see this African mask that you think will go really well with the painting of Madiba that you bought in Johannesburg yesterday. You are still a bit pissed off, because you thought the painting was quite unique. Since you left Johannesburg you have seen about 20 of them already...all of them for less than what you have paid for it. Anyway, to make you feel better you decide to write it off as good experience and to get something else (more unique and at a better price this time) to display next to it on your wall back home....

So if you ever get the opportunity to visit any of the African markets in South Africa, here are some guidelines that might prevent you from getting shafted again. Please note, most of these friendly guys from Africa make an "honest" buck, so I don't want you to go and take the last piece of bread from their mouths. But if you are a tourist you are going to get shafted in some way or the other so you better go prepared. Here are some guidelines....

1) Nothing that is sold on an African market is unique. The stall next door will have exactly the same trinket. Use that in your favour when you start bargaining.

2) Nothing that is sold on an African market is at a good price. ALWAYS bargain. Start of with 50% less than the asking price. If you buy it at the asking price then you have been shafted again.

3) There are different prices. The highests is the "tourist" price. Then comes the "South African" price and then the "local" price. At the bottom is the price that the item is actually worth...the real price. If you don't negotiate down to the real price then you got shafted. So, take a local with you and let him negotiate for you down to at least the "South African" or "local" price. This way you pay less and you keep some "bread in their mouths".

4) Many of the vendors are not locals and have entered the country illegally. If you got that information by acting interested in where they're from, then use it to make them feel bad for selling goods in a country that is not theirs and then trying to shaft you in the process.

5) Look at many different items and lay it out on the side. The more items on the list, the lower the price goes. When you are happy with the agreed price then only take the item you really want, you don't have to take everything. The price cannot go up again.

6) Once you get the lowest price for a specific article, then buy ten for your friends at the same price. It will spare them the negotiating. They can negotiate at another stall for a different item for you.

7) If you cannot get a lower price, then open your wallet and make your cash visible. Knowing that you actually are prepared to open your wallet will bring the price down even further. Don't flash 100 and 200 Rand notes, that would be a foolish thing to do in any country.

8) Wear something that the vendor can associate with and can open him up. A T-shirt with a Bob Marley design usually works wonders. Or something with an African theme. Tourist can be seen from miles away and this makes them easy targets. Showing that you are from the same planet helps.

9) Once you have accepted the price and the item is yours NEVER compare prices at the next stall, you might feel the same way you felt about your painting of Madiba.....