\nBefore entering the market discuss a game plan with your travel companions. What are each of you looking for, how much are you willing to spend, etc. Shopping through the leather market takes a full team effort. Make sure to also establish each other\u2019s roles in the bargaining scenario (discussed later in this post).<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.luc.edu\/goglobal\/files\/2012\/11\/188489_4893983825611_1887213855_n-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>14. STICK TO YOUR BUDGET.<\/strong> 13. CASH IS KEY. <\/strong> 12. FIND EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT.<\/strong> 11. MAKE YOUR SELECTION.<\/strong> 10. PARLE ITALIANO?<\/strong> 9. ACT OUTRAGED. <\/strong> 8. MAKE YOUR FIRST OFFER.<\/strong> 7. GOT A LIGHT?<\/strong> 6. ALLOW YOURSELF TO LOVE THE ITEM.<\/strong> 5. THE FRIEND ZONE. <\/strong> 4. DO THE WALK AWAY.<\/strong> 3. FLIRT, BECAUSE, WHY NOT?<\/strong> 2. MAKE EXCUSES.<\/strong> 1. RAPID FIRE FINAL BIDS.<\/strong> All these tips worked for me! I was even able to bargain better than my tips, getting a pair of 130 euro boots down to 70! Definitely my favorite Italian purchase yet!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have a confession. I\u2019m a sucker for leather. Real, fake, black, brown, even the sight of white patent leather go-go boots gets my heart racing. From the smell to the feel I can\u2019t get enough of it. Of course, on my college budget, most of my leather is actually pleather and is bought at … <\/p>\n
\nGo in with a budget in mind and stick to it like your life depends on it. Only want to spend 50 euro on a purse? Refuse to let yourself go above that.<\/p>\n
\nBring cash in smaller bills (5s and 10s). A lot of the vendors take credit cards but as soon as you flash that card they assume that the sky\u2019s the limit. Also, if you already have cash on you you won\u2019t be as tempted to hit the ATM to splurge on that fabulous leather coat you just need. Trust me, you don\u2019t need it.<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019t settle. There must be hundreds of these tents selling every kind of purse, coat, and etc that you could want. Scan the market thoroughly and make sure you are getting exactly what you want.<\/p>\n
\nOnce you have your eye set on an item act generally disinterested in it. Look it over, put it down, ask your friend about it, don\u2019t be too sure. But DO hang around the stand so that the vendor can see that you might want something. Once he comes over the game begins.<\/p>\n
\nIf you know any Italian, speak it. Even though most of the vendors barely speak Italian themselves it will show them that you aren\u2019t just a stereotypical silly American that they can scam.<\/p>\n
\nWhile maintaining a look of disinterest ask him how much it is (\u201cQuanto costa?\u201d in Italian). He\u2019ll say his highest price. Act outraged. Then, mentally, figure out the 3\/4ths cost of what he said (for example, if he said 100 euro figure 75 euro). if that 3\/4ths price is above your budget then walk away, as this number will most likely be close to what you actually pay for the item. If it\u2019s too much walk away immediately and don\u2019t look back (no matter how many times he yells \u201cbella, bella, come back\u201d at you). If that is still in your price range then the the game continues.<\/p>\n
\nInsist that the item is not worth that much. Examine it CLOSELY (even if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re looking for, it\u2019s all for show) and offer him half the price (depending on the item). He will act just as outraged as you were in the beginning and will tell you about the quality of the leather, how this would sell for millions in the store, etc. Don\u2019t blink an eye.<\/p>\n
\nAs soon as he mentions the quality of the leather hold the item out to him and say \u201cHold a flame to it.\u201d Real leather will not burn while fake leather will. If he does not immediately whip out a lighter to show you and instead begins to stall offer him a lighter to do the job (make the investment to have one on you). If he continues to stall walk away, the leather is fake.<\/p>\n
\nIf he lights it, it doesn\u2019t burn, and still maintains that delicious leather smell then you may continue. Now you\u2019re in quite deep into the exchange. He wants your money and your heart has probably fallen in love with the item. At this point begin to look slightly more interested in the item.<\/p>\n
\nThis is one of the most crucial steps in the process. Throughout the proceeding steps have your friend that\u2019s with you (be it your husband, girl friends, or sassy gay friend) look completely disinterested and bored in your purchase. Have them be a little huffy, complaining that they\u2019re hot\/cold\/tired\/hungry and just want to leave. At this point turn to that friend and ask them what they think. They should glance at it and say something just insulting enough (It\u2019s fine\/looks kinda cheap\/don\u2019t you already own something exactly like that). Agree with them while looking lovingly at the item. At this point turn to the vendor and offer a price slightly higher than your originally 50% price (using our 100 euro example this would be the time to offer them 60 euro). They will most likely refuse.<\/p>\n
\nAt the point say something about how much you like it but can\u2019t afford it. Now, BEGIN TO WALK AWAY. If he\u2019s willing to offer you the 3\/4ths price the vendor will call you back. If he\u2019s not he won\u2019t. Chances are though that he will begin to shout something like \u201cOh bella come back bella 85 euro, bella, 85!\u201d Return to the vendor.<\/p>\n
\nAt this point begin to flirt with him a little. In the end, being nice will get you a lower price than being a jerk.<\/p>\n
\nTell him a slightly higher price (think 65 – always go up or down in increments of 5). Then start to tell him all the reasons you shouldn\u2019t but it. Tell him that\u2019s all the money you have (if you say this then make sure you have small enough bills to convince him that this is true), that you need to buy dinner tonight, etc. I found that by simply telling the vendors that I was a college student they would lower the price, because they knew that I actually had a budget to stick to. Say anything (WITHOUT SOUNDING DESPERATE) to get him to lower the price.<\/p>\n
\nAt this point prices will be shouted out faster and he will drop is smaller increments (85 to 82 to 81, for example). Don\u2019t let this intimidate you. If your budget is 75 euro then let your final offer be 70 euro. Let the vendor be the one to say the final price (in this case 75). Sign, look over the item, think pensively (at this point he might even lower the price more if he can tell he\u2019s almost at a sale!) After a bit of this look at him and say \u201cI\u2019ll take it.\u201d<\/p>\n