You can get a bargain anywhere, if only you know how to get one.

On the Road

These are a few tips to help you get a good deal when you are out shopping at your local street market.

1. If the seller quotes a price that you know is unreasonable, cut it down by around 75%.

2. When the seller doesn't agree with the price, you need to stick to your quote for some time. Then slowly increase your offer price by around 5 to 10 rupees at a time until he agrees. Keep an amount that you are willing to spend in your head. Don't go above that.

3. When you go shopping on the streets to an area where you normally don't, it's useful to take along a friend who is familiar with shopping there. Your friend may probably have a regular guy who gives her great deals. Plus, she knows how much the goods should cost.

4. When on the street, make sure to leave those diamond rings at home. Don't wear anything that looks too expensive. If the sellers think you can afford to spend more, they won't lower their prices much.

5. If you are going with a friend make sure that only one of you bargains with the seller. She may just quote something higher which will make you loose out on a great bargain.

6. If the vendor still doesn't listen, walk away. He will call you back. Don't turn around on the first "Madam". After a few calls turn and ask him what price he's selling the item to you for. Then, if you are okay with the price, go pay.

7. If you are out shopping for clips, other accessories or shoes and don't mind buying more than one item, make sure to tell the vendor that. He will give you a better deal if you are going to buy a lot from him.

Also Read: 25 Tips to Crack that Sale

In the Stores

You can't bargain at branded stores like Mango, Benetton or any Mega store like Shoppers Stop. But you can get a discount at any normal local stop.

Remember that you will always get a better deal at a store where you go regularly.

8. When you go and shop at local unbranded stores, while paying you can always say, "Am I not going to get a discount?" You can easily push for a 10% off at least. But this only works if you have picked up more than one outfit.

9. If you are planning to go to a store that your friend shops at a lot, then take your friend along. Regular faces can get away with a little bargaining.

Also Read: Shopping Just a Click Away

Just because branded stores don't give discounts, it doesn't mean that you won't get a branded top at a reasonable rate at an export surplus store…

10. If they are fussy about their "Fixed Rates", then it may be a problem. But if you ask them when there aren't many other customers around, then they may slip in a slight discount.

11. If you buy a lot of things from a store they may just throw in an extra stole as a bargain. Ask your frequent shoppers to know which places do that.

12. Point out a defect even though there isn't anything wrong with the outfit. You can always complain about the seams not being straight, the colour looking faded etc. The store will give you a discount on the item if you are convincing enough, but don't do this for every piece you pick up from the store.

At your designer

13. If you are buying an outfit from a designer you can always ask him to add a little extra embellishment on the sleeves etc for free.

14. If your final total bill is an odd number - say 5,190, you can always tell him to round it up to a 5,000. Most designers won't make a fuss on such a small amount.