How to Shop in India

Know where to shop

When shopping in India, you can explore the markets, bazaars, emporiums, street vendors, and even malls. For those who love bargaining and have never tried it, yet always wanted to, nothing compares to the festive chaos on the market streets. The state-owned emporiums tend to be marginally more expensive than street stalls and shops but are ideal for those of you who are averse to bargaining. Some state emporiums sell artifacts at a fixed price. Let’s explore shopping in India in a bit more detail, beginning with buying on the streets.

Don’t Bargain at Fixed Price Shops

Spotting a fixed price shop is not hard. These shops clearly display this fact and mention the prices. These prices are your point of reference with other stores that don’t have fixed prices. Prepacked items like bottled water, cosmetics, branded items, packed food and electronics like camera batteries, digital cards are normally sold at fixed prices. These prices are inclusive of tax, so the price tag tells you exactly how much you need to shell out for them. Unless the shop advertises a discount, it is rare that a shopkeeper will sell anything below the printed “maximum selling price” or MRP.

Mastering the Art of Bargaining

As we mentioned earlier, bargaining is a part of doing business in India, a skill that most Indians learn at a very young age. What seem like heated discussions around you in the market are nothing other than people bargaining. If you are averse to bargaining, you’ll simply have to shell out an inflated price for every little thing you buy. Watch how people bargain around you and learn from them; it’s not going to be difficult. Here are a few tips to assist you.Bargaining is not arguing or being rude: Raising your voice, being unpleasant or using the wrong language is not bargaining. You might end up offending the shopkeeper who may ask you to leave. Using the words “please” a couple of times in a pleasant manner will cause a change of heart and you will most likely get what you are looking for at the price that you want to pay.

Don’t fall into the guilt trap: If the shopkeeper offers you refreshments the moment you set foot in the shop, politely refuse, even if he is insistent. Accepting such hospitality might impede you from leaving if you are not interested in the merchandise. The shopkeeper might be trying to trick you into buying. However, keep in mind that not all instances are the same. If you are in a sari showroom with literally hundreds of saris on display, feel free to accept refreshments. The chances are good that you will find what you are looking for in such shops.

Personal stories need not move you: If the vendor says he has mouths to feed and that business is slow, understand that he is trying to make you feel guilty and pay more. The fact that you are bringing him revenue by buying from him is good enough. Falling prey to such pleads will simply encourage the vendor to use it as an unethical tool for price negotiation with other tourists like you.

Walk away if you feel the price is grossly unfair: If the shopkeeper is not showing signs of going down in price, politely say thank you and move away. The shopkeeper, most likely, will come out and call you back for further negotiations. This strategy works especially well when the same product is being sold by other shops in the vicinity.If you are using plastic money, mention it beforehand: If you are using a card to pay, don’t pay any amount above the product price. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops and emporiums in India. The credit card companies and banks in India charge the sellers 1-2% as transaction charges. While shopping in private or state emporiums, please keep in mind that these charges are included in the product price. So don’t pay any extra amount over and above the agreed price of the product. If a shopkeeper insists on 1-3% extra at the time of payment, simply tell him or her that you are not going to pay any extra amount over and above the agreed price.Set a maximum price that you’re willing to shell out: Have an upper limit of what you are willing to pay and stick to it. This makes bargaining easy. Failing this, you will empty your pockets before you realize it.

Be reasonable with what you offer: Quoting unreasonably low prices will simply put off the vendor and end any possible discussions. So, be reasonable and know that what you’re buying has value even though it is less than what the seller is asking.

Shop early in the day or late in the evening: Indian shopkeepers believe that the first customer of the day should not go empty handed. This is considered a bad omen for the day’s business. So, the shopkeeper will be willing to go down considerably on the price as long as he has some margin on the product. You might also get a bargain at the end of the day as the shopkeeper will be looking to close the deal quickly and shut up shop.

Observe the neighboring shops as you bargain: The chances are good that a neighboring shopkeeper is eyeing you as you bargain. Look around for such shop-owners; they already know you are a hard nut to crack and will likely give you a good deal.

Look around before you buy: Like we mentioned earlier, look around to check out whether other shops sell the same item. Buying something the moment you lay your eyes on it is a bad idea. Take time to determine the real price first by looking around.

How to Deal with Street Hawkers and What to Buy from Them?

You will find a lot of men, women and even children selling small artifacts or postcards at famous tourist attractions, especially in North India. Some of them might even follow you and beg you to buy from them. If you are not interested, the rule of thumb is simply to walk away without responding. A polite no or a smile can be perceived as a signal of interest and they may continue to follow you.Tip: There’s no doubt that street hawkers can sometimes be quite annoying and must be dealt with firmly. However, it’s not a bad idea to take a passing glance at what they sell. Although the souvenirs they sell are hardly unique, they can be quite cheap. A miniature monument, post card, keychain, camel bone items, soapstone coasters, camel leather items, and peacock items can be bought at throw-away prices. But don’t forget to bargain!

What to Buy in India?

You may be buying a souvenir as a showpiece or something that you use every day. Whatever the case, you must not end up buying something that isn’t actually unique to India. Also, you should not buy something that is not produced in that specific region. For instance, you don’t want to end up buying tea leaves in Rajasthan when it is the specialty of Nilgiris and Darjeeling. On the other hand, there are items that are available throughout the country, albeit in different textures and designs, like textiles and traditional jewelry. Let’s explore some of the unique must-haves!

Unique Indian jewelry

You can easily recognize Indian jewelry by the way it looks, but telling which part of India it comes from may be quite a challenge. Gold is the preferred precious metal in almost all of India with the exception of Rajasthan where silver is more popular. The domestic flare for gold is what makes India the largest importer of this precious metal in the world. You will find these jewels studded with semi-precious stones like emerald, turquoise, amethyst, amber, sapphire and ruby. Jaipur in Rajasthan is the major tourist attraction in North India and at the same time also the biggest center in India for the cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious stones.

If you’re being offered “expensive” jewelry at a fraction of its cost, simply dismiss it; it’s a fake. Such jewelry is nothing but finely cut glass. However, if you are not really looking for value and are simply going for the look, you need not worry about the authenticity. Imitation jewelry is available all over. The point is that you must know that you are buying imitation jewelry and not mistake it for the real thing.

Tip: Authentic gold jewelry is usually hallmarked. When purchasing any silver or gold jewelry, precious or semi-precious stones, loose precious stones or stones embedded in jewellery, ensure that you get a valid certificate mentioning the carat and weight along with the name of the shop.

It’s choices galore when it comes to textiles in India

Saris: If you are a woman, then a sari is a must buy. The most vibrant ones are made of silk, while you also get ones made of cotton. Enter an exclusive sari showroom and you’ll be amazed at the choice; they number in the thousands. The most expensive ones are inlaid with fine gold thread while others are studded with glass, beads and stones.

Handloom fabric items: Garments made of handloom woven fabrics look elegant on both men and women. The fabrics are hand woven, or block printed and by purchasing these, you will be contributing to small home industries and the local economy. You can buy kurtas (ladies tops), bedsheets, and even decorative wall hangings to adorn your walls.

Pashmina and other shawls: Pashmina is a kind of cashmere that is made from the hair of Pashmina goats that are found near the Himalayas. The traditional designs and smooth texture of these shawls make them perfect to be worn with almost anything. You can also choose among shawls made of wool, silk, and cotton.

Tailored for a custom fit garment: Having a garment tailor-made is fairly inexpensive and often offered free of cost, depending on the monetary value of your purchase. This is especially true when buying textiles in Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. Once the tailor takes your measurements, the attire is quickly prepared overnight and delivered to you the very next morning before you check out of your hotel. However, there are a few important points to note regarding this. Do not forget to take the visiting card of the shop before leaving it. In case the delivery of your custom-designed clothes is delayed, bring it under your driver or guide’s attention, or inform your Vacation India advisor so that we can help you get it.

Indian handicrafts and art

The variety of choices when it comes to handicrafts and art can be overwhelming. These items are region-specific and intricately hand-designed, using traditional tools. Needless to say, no two items will therefore be exactly the same. This also means that a lot of labor and time go into creating them. So, determine the value of the item before you set out for a hard bargaining session and pay the craftsmen what they deserve.

Varieties of Indian tea

Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiris (Thekkady and Munnar) are famous for their tea plantations. If you are visiting these areas, don’t miss out on purchasing some fresh tea leaves. You’ll love the flavors.
 

Incense and natural perfumes

Indians are almost obsessed with scented items with a lot of religious rituals demanding their presence. You’ll love the incense sticks made of sandalwood in Mysore. Try attar or natural perfumes that are extracted from tree bark, spices, and flowers.

Ayurvedic wonders

Ayurveda is the ancient natural science of medicine and healthy living in India. Today, you find several branded natural Ayurvedic products and home remedies that are devoid of any chemicals or side effects. Try a simple face wash, soap or any Ayurvedic toothpaste; you’ll love the after-feel. Some famous brands for Ayurvedic products are Himalaya, Patanjali, Nirogam and Dabur.

Traditional Indian spices

Indian spices have been famous throughout the world since time immemorial. They give Indian food the unique flavor and mouth-watering aroma. Visit any grocer and you’ll be spoiled for choice. Just remember that not all spices are branded and prepacked. The shopkeeper will often simply weigh and pack them for you. If you are skeptical about the quality, ask for a sample and smell the product. If it gives off a distinct aroma, it’s good enough.

Nothing can adorn your living room like an Indian carpet

You’ll find that beautiful and bright colored carpets are plentiful when you set out on your shopping expedition. Carpets can be quite expensive and come in various sizes. Of course, the bigger ones are most expensive. The material used and the number of knots also influence the price tag. Carpets can be made of cotton and even silk. However, this does not mean that you must settle for the price that the seller quotes. There’s going to be plenty of room for bargain. Also, carpets tend to be bulky and you don’t want to carry it around. So, the best option is to get it delivered to your home back in your country by using FedEx or DHL. Please clarify whether the seller charges extra for shipping. Normally, when it comes to heavy products, shipping charges are included in the price but ensure that you clarify this at the time of payment.

Take Indian snacks home to relish the flavors again

If you’ve fallen in love with some of the sweets or snacks that are specific to India, you should take some home. There are different brands throughout India that sell packed traditional snacks and sweets that last for a couple of months. Some snacks can be fried once you are back home. Consider Rasgullas, gulab jamoons, Sandesh, Pedha, papad, chutney, spiced pickles, and Indian cookies. If you are constrained by space, veer towards dry varieties.

Mingle with the Artisans in Smaller Towns for Unique Traditional Souvenirs

You are sure to visit smaller towns and villages that are teeming with artisans during your exploration of India. This is the time to mingle with them so that you can request a piece of custom-made jewelry or pottery. You can sit down with the artist and together the two of you can come up with a design for something unique. Nothing will remind you more of India than such souvenirs.

Don’t Buy Souvenirs Simply for the Sake of Buying

Take interest in what you buy. A T-shirt with a print that says “I love India” is hardly a souvenir. Take time to explore what the markets and emporiums have to offer. Remember, the shopkeeper might simply try to sell you what he thinks you fancy. You don’t have to oblige. Buy according to your own tastes and standards so that you don’t regret your purchase later.