The Baja California Travel & Living Webzine

Shopping in Cabo San Lucas

Now mind you this is not the case in the more “gallery: like stores with very special or fine products for sale. It is also not acceptable to “Haggle” at the grocery or auto parts store for example. But in the street stores and vendors at the “Tianguis” (open air market) it is not only acceptable but expected.

Haggling can be fun and shouldn’t really stress you out. Now when a vendor offers a hammock for $50.00 USD for example how much lower should you offer? I generally cut the price in half. You may not necessarily get that price as you should expect a counter offer much higher. The process generally ends up in the middle between your low and their high.

Yes they do have that high of a margin on many products and I especially do this when buying a volume of things. Just remember if offered with a smile and respect they will not truly be offended. Many times they will act disappointed and begin to tell you their hard luck story. The fact is, many of these vendors for example in towns like Tijuana, Ensenada, Cabo or mainland tourist areas do make very good profits even while paying some pretty high rents.

Especially those beach vendors that just keep coming on most tourist beaches in Mexico, can really cut their price, as they pay no rent or permit fees at all. These are not the vendors you should really buy silver from as the “made In Mexico” and “521 silver stamps” are commonly fake as the Rolex watches sold in the street. The best place to purchase silver is in the true stores with clean display and a scale present to show you the quality.
 

This is meant to be fun and not offensive. There is no reason to take what they say personally and if they do it generally is an act. I know plenty of vendors that can make very good income even at half price. Now this is not always the case with all products so if it is a uncommon product or they have a reason such as better quality they may be pretty tough on their price.

As far as products you need to be careful these days for instance if you’re buying some of those little guitars for the kids that they are not from China. Lately there have been a lot of imitation trinkets flooding the market form China. What is really funny is that many merchants forge to remove the made in China sticker while trying to pass it off as a Mexican made handicraft.

Haggling is only part of the adventure. Finding what you want in the color style and or size you like can be a bit of a treasure hunt. Many vendors will actually help you out if they don’t have what you are looking for and they will send you to a friend for your purchase. Most vendors are very cheerful and motivated almost to the point of being bothersome. If you politely ask to be left alone to browse most will accommodate you. Some vendors can be a bit pushy but remember you can always just smile and move on.

Realize however there are many differences in the quality of products. For example the typical Mexican blanket can be the light weight or heavy weight cotton. The sizes and quality of weave may differ as well. There are also some very beautiful wool blankets and wall hangings these days that are more of a gallery quality so don’t expect as much of a reduction in price on something like that.

Have fun but don’t carry it too far and become offensive or act as a cheapskate. Remember most likely the pesos you are saving are not of nearly as much value to you as they are to the vendor. There is however no reason to feel sorry for them and just pay the first price given. They really do put the prices up expecting a little discussion concerning price.

Additional Resources

Villas and Resort Rental Los Cabo
Map of Cabo San Lucas
Map of Baja California
Map of SJD Airport
Cabo Sailing Charters