More Bargaining Advice and Expressions

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn more common buyer and seller tactics, situations to avoid when bargaining, and useful expressions for negotiating a price.

More buyer tactics

A buyer may act insulted by the seller’s price, say that the difference between the seller’s price and the offered price is very small, suggest that the seller should lower the price to the buyer’s offer, or take out money as if both sides have already agreed on the offered price.

More seller tactics

A seller may act insulted by the buyer’s offer, say that the difference between the buyer’s offer and the seller’s price is very small, suggest that the buyer should increase the offer, or begin wrapping the item as if the buyer has already accepted the seller’s price.

Things to avoid when bargaining

When you know that you will need to bargain, try to avoid: showing too much interest in one item, showing that you urgently need the item, carrying a large amount of money, carrying expensive items you have already bought, looking like a tourist, bargaining without knowing the approximate value of the item, being in a hurry, or shopping with a guide who may receive part of the price you pay.

Be prepared to pay any price that you personally offer. Do not continue bargaining for a long time when you do not really intend to buy the item. When you are not sure whether the price is being discussed in dirhams or riyals, proceed slowly and carefully. Do not allow a bargaining situation to ruin your day — peace of mind also has value.

Bargaining expressions

English	Darija
It is too expensive!	ġali bzzaf!
Lower the price a little	nqṣ šwiya.
Give me a good price	ṣawb m3aya f t-taman.
I will not add even one riyal	ma-n-zid нtta ryal.
I will add nothing	ma-n-zid walu.
It is too much for me	bzzaf 3liya.
A good price	ši taman mzyan
A reasonable price	ši taman mnasb
What is the final price?	axir taman, šнal?
How much will you let me have it for? — masc. item	bšнal t-xllih?
How much will you let me have it for? — fem. item	bšнal t-xlliha?
That is all the money I have	had š-ši l-li 3ndi!
That is my final price	hada huwa axir taman dyali!