6 Tips for Shopping While on a Holiday

As fun as holiday shopping may sound, there are a lot of challenges that come along with it. Especially the language barrier that comes with shopping in a foreign country is just the tip of the iceberg. There are issues with payment mediums like credit cards, baggage limits on planes, and the inability to find the perfect bargain price. All of this can turn the whole experience sour for you.

These challenges are not worth it if they ruin your shopping experience while on holiday. But here’s how you can work your way around these issues:

Travel Light

Whether you are taking a trip within the country or going abroad, there is a definite chance you’ll be shopping in the places you visit. Since you know this, it is preferable to pack light in the first place. If you are taking a plane, this is a pertinent issue, but if you are taking a road trip across the country and have space in the car, you may not have to worry about it.

Air travelers need to be careful when packing. If your selected ticket allows it, try splitting the luggage between two or more suitcases. If that’s not possible, plan to use fewer clothes, recycle worn ones or prepare to shop for new ones when you arrive at your destination. This allows you to kill two birds with one stone, i.e., fulfill your desire to shop and pack light when leaving home.

Prefer to Shop Local

The whole purpose behind shopping in your holiday destination is to bring back things that are unavailable back home. This can include mementos, souvenirs, clothing, and a host of other items.

For instance, if you’re shopping in Pigeon Forge, pick up some Jeep merch to take back home as a reminder of your vacation. The town has over 300 stores where you can buy everything from designer brands to local stuff.

Since you packed light, you are primed to shop to your heart’s content, picking up everything that catches your fancy. Take strolls down some of the famous local shopping districts, which makes for an amazing experience. Whatever you buy, make sure that it is local so that it holds significance for you.

Add Optional Extra Luggage to Your Ticket

Adding extra luggage is also a great option when taking a flight, especially when you have tried and failed at minimizing the amount of stuff you want to pack. It does cost additional besides the actual cost of the ticket, but it allows you to shop till you drop while on holiday and still bring everything back without having to drop anything.

Make sure you book the extra luggage in advance rather than doing it at the last moment because that can cost you significantly more. Another effective option that you can take is to not get any additional luggage for when you are going and only get the extra baggage for your return flight. This step will also save you money if you are a budget traveler.

Prefer Carrying Cash

Having cash on hand when you want to shop during a holiday is a great method to keep track of your expenditures. Ensure you exchange your cash at the best rates before departing for your vacation. Avoid waiting until the last minute since rates can increase. Breaking up larger notes is an additional as well as an excellent suggestion.

You may keep track of your expenditures by splitting up large bills and using smaller bills when you go shopping. Bargaining is best done with smaller bills because shopkeepers prefer them and you can get the best offer this way. Credit cards are generally not preferable abroad because of the taxes that apply to them. However, in some developed countries, you might not have a choice.

Bartering and Bargaining are Useful Skills to Have

Learning how to barter before doing your holiday shopping can be challenging. There are several essential tips and tricks to remember when getting ready to barter that will simplify the process for both the prospective purchaser and the seller. Here are some incredible tricks and tips that you can put into action when shopping on holiday:

• Before you start bargaining on an item, decide what you are willing to spend on it and at what price you will let it go.
• Fix a threshold of price that you will not exceed at any cost. If the shopkeeper is adamant, be prepared to walk away.
• Patience is the greatest virtue during bargaining. Don’t show that you are in a hurry or are being overwhelmed by the excessive back-and-forth.
• Be ready for spontaneous answers and even a lengthy conversation because sometimes that may be the only way to get what you want.
• Don’t start pulling out money too early, and under no circumstances let the shopkeeper see how much you have. This is where smaller notes come in handy because you can bank on the fact that this is your only note.
• Rudeness and a harsh tone will not get you anywhere. Be polite during the bargaining process and even when refusing the purchase altogether.
• Don’t take anything personally. Bargaining is a gamble; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Either way, it’s not on you in any way.

Know a Few Common Words of the Local Language

If you are traveling beyond countries where your local language is spoken, it is best to learn a few common words of the language locals speak. This helps you communicate well with the locals because you are not sure whether they will be able to understand your language or not.

In order to avoid any hassles, it is best to brush up on some common words. Words like hello, thank you, how are you, restaurant, hotel, and transport are all important terms that can not only help you shop but find general directions too.

Conclusion

Shopping while on holiday is an exciting prospect. Especially for the ladies, it gets them happy. However, there can be a number of challenges that a person has to face, particularly when they are traveling abroad. You can make it all simpler for yourself by planning and making thorough preparations to help you navigate the local markets and get the best items at the most affordable prices.