Shopping in India can be a fairly overwhelming experience for many people.

You have much more of a chance at surviving if you head into the marketplace with a plan.  We all know the caricature of the Indian shopkeeper, bargaining a “fair price” from the unassuming customer.

But when we are faced with so many options, what color, what size, who for, what price shopping can get a little more complicated.  The average tourist has no clue how to barter and bargain and so here are a few tips to help you on your way.

Watch the Indians, they have been doing it for years, learn from them.

Have at least some knowledge of what you want to buy before you go in.

Do not look too interested. If the seller sees you less interested you are more likely to get a better price.  As soon as you show some enthusiasm they know what they can get from you.

Be happy in the knowledge that a seller will never sell you something for less than profit.  Usually they will start as high as 10 or even 20 times the products worth. If the seller is smiling you know its fine.

Let the seller offer a lower price before you mention any comparisons or inform them of the price you want. Mentioning the price you want may be and often is taken as offensive.

Use any defect on a product to your advantage.  ALWAYS ALWAYS BARGAIN!

Always defend the fact that you are the buyer and use it to your advantage.

If you end up buying a lot from the same store demand a discount.

If you have the option of going with a seasoned barterer take it, let them do the bargaining for you until you get the hang of it.

What to buy in India

So, now that you have an idea of how to bargain, what are you going to buy in India?

Carpets- If you’re travelling in Kashmir then you can’t go past buying a genuine carpet.  Features that effect the price are; the percentage of silk, how many knots, the size, and the type of carpet.  An average price per foot would be Rs300.

Crafts- like papier mache which is made into all sorts of things from plates and bowls to boxes and lamps. Prices start at about Rs15.

Silk Paintings- Hindu Mythology and hunting scenes are a common theme here, the quality of the paper affects the price but you can expect to pay from Rs 30.

Indian cloth- bedspreads, table cloths, and good quality Indian cloth which can be tailored to fit. Cloth is cheap.  Knowing the difference between silk and some cottons will help you avoid feeling ripped off.  But ultimately the prices you’re paying should reflect the quality of what you’ve bought.  Prices for bed spreads and table cloths generally start at Rs50.

Tea- if you travel to Darjeeling or Assam then you may have the chance to see how tea is grown and prepared. You will generally be given the opportunity to buy boxes of your favorite tea.  If you do not make it out these ways or if plantation tours are not you cup of tea, then you can buy beautifully packaged sets of tea from most tourist emporiums.

Other options are incense, bangles, marble work, and scarves, shawls or saris, cookbooks, or cheap Indian editions of books, semi precious stones, sandal wood, musical instruments and many other things that will remind you of your holiday in India.