How to Negotiate at the Inca Market in Peru

In Lima, Peru, the Inca Market carries numerous gifts you can bring home to remind you of your trip to Peru's largest city. The Inca Market is replete with alpaca blankets and shawls, silver accessories, ceramics and wood carvings featuring Inca craftsmanship.

Instructions

1. Visit the Inca Market in Miraflores, Lima. It can be reached by walking from most hotels in Miraflores. A cab can cost about $3US to get to the market. Do not wear expensive jewelry or watches. Dress casually, and wear comfortable walking shoes.

2. Walk around the entire market to find the items that you really like. Select two shops with that item, and start to negotiate with the first vendor.

3. Ask the best price of the item. Do not show your money until you are ready to pay. Offer half of what they ask for.

4. Know that the Inca Market vendor will not accept your first offer. Keep negotiating until he reaches his bottom price. Walk away from this vendor and start the process with the second vendor. Get her bottom price. Go back to the first vendor, and ask what kind of discount he offers if you pay in cash.

5. Take that price to the second vendor, and ask for the price if you pay in cash. Compare the two offers, and purchase your item at the lowest price.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you don't tell the vendor you'll pay in cash up front. Most of them think you are negotiating with credit card prices. Save the fact you'll pay in cash until the very end.

• There are police at every corner, but keep your cash close to your body or in a zipped fanny pack.