bargaining at guest houses in Bangkok

[oceanm5]

Recently I was reading some reviews for guest houses. One reviewer appended the suggestion to his review: "you have to bargain hard. you can bid down the asking price of 800 bht to 200."

This got me wondering...

Given this was a place with ac in the Sukhumvit area, I found this hard to believe, since I remember 250 being the going price for a fan room with no amenities in Chaignmai. But for all I know it's possible; I don't think my bargaining skills are much to speak of.

I've always found it a little more difficult to bargain in Thailand as opposed to some place like China where the game seems more obvious because they quote you ridiculously high prices and you counter with ridiculously low ones. In Thailand I am never quite sure because my understanding is if you offer too low a price it is considered very rude and I often don't know the going rates for things until I have lived in an area for a long time.

I managed to get 100 baht shaved off of the place I'm staying at now (and this only because I said I'd be staying for more than a week). Though I told them I would need to look at other places to before I decided, they didn't make a lower offer when I left. Since most of their rooms are empty now, I assume they just don't need the money enough to want to lower the price. This is another difference I've noticed from China. In China if you walk away, they come after you, usually offering a lower price. In Thailand I've never had this happen. They just don't seem to care. Because of this I seldom try to bargain anymore, though I know I'm probably always paying more than Thais.

Wondering if forum members have bargained for guest houses and been able to get discounts similar to the one claimed by that reviewer. If so I'd be very curious to hear about your technique!

Edited September 15, 2013 by oceanm5

[vtjforyou]

Ridiculous and impossible to go to 200 !

You got the point, Thai don't need your money, noodles are still sold 30 thb...

[Marcel1]

Bargaining at guesthouses over a few baht? Whahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahha.......... please

[Dancealot]

Bargaining at guesthouses over a few baht? ...... please

I have to agree with you. It is quite embarrassing.

[oceanm5]

thanks to the posters who have offered their perspectives so far.

I too think 200 sounds impossible. but what a strange bargaining suggestion to make in a review, if it is fabricated.

would be interesting to hear also from someone who does bargain here in such situations, and who has had some success at it.

bargaining is, after all, part of the traditional way of doing business in Asian cultures. those of us who come from societies where pricing is fixed will probably never fully understand or be comfortable with it. But now and then I have met the rare bird who has an amazing natural ability for it.

[JSixpack]

That was nonsense. Don't believe everything you read.

Thai hotels and guesthouses do offer a discount for long-term stays, but they don't bargain. Why should they? Business is good.

Edited September 16, 2013 by JSixpack

[BuriramRes]

Last time I was in Chan Buri, went to a hotel that we normally had stayed at. The price was 450B, up from 400B last time (that was OK). Then they added 7% VAT which had never been done before, then 3% for using a credit card (again never done before). I felt I was being screwed for Farang prices.

Since this hotel had never been great & was getting worse on ever visit, decided it was time to make a change.

Finally found a really great place for 650B nearby (all inclusive). The said hotel will never be graced by my presence again! (We were regular visitors as we visit family members here frequently, but never accept the alternative of a tiled floor in gran's livingroom.

[LeeThayer]

That is like bargaining in a bar, "80 baht for a beer? Can I pay 50 baht." Pay the posted price or move one.

Edited September 16, 2013 by LeeThayer

[TheSpade]

Cringe worthy to see people bargaining over the price of a room considering how cheap most guest houses are.

This isn't the JJ Market you're at. The price tends to be fixed and to haggle over it is just embarrassing and rude IMO.

I'm sure some places which aren't busy might knock a few baht off it but from 800 down to 200 seems like desperation or nonsense to me.

If it's true I'd hate to think of the service you would get or how bad the room they give you would be.

If you can't afford even cheap guest house rooms in Thailand then you probably should not be traveling.

I've seen a group of backpackers haggling for a group discount on street food before. Really made me angry.

[dao16]

I don't really bargain for guest house prices much, unless I am staying a little longer and at a smaller, family-owned place, usually in the low season. I saved a decent amount of cash once by asking the lady at reception if I could pay upfront and get the place for something like 50 or 100 baht cheaper a day, but stay for 2 weeks. She accepted immediately. I think the upfront payment is what "sold" her. That lump sum up front was just too tempting and I am sure it would have been an empty room otherwise.

That said, I only really haggle about hotel prices when I feel like they are trying to pull one over on me, which isn't often since I get the prices early and I generally know what to expect for different types of hotels/guesthouses. Check the room first, though.

[BookMan]

If I am a walk in I ask for their price. Then I generally ask if they can do a little better rate, if I am staying a few days. 200 baht off 1100 baht asking price. 400 baht off 2400 asking price.

If they say no, nothing lost, smiles all round.

Why not ask?

[jvs]

I guess you can not believe everything you read in' the lonely planet'

[RedQualia]

I don't really bargain for guest house prices much, unless I am staying a little longer and at a smaller, family-owned place, usually in the low season. I saved a decent amount of cash once by asking the lady at reception if I could pay upfront and get the place for something like 50 or 100 baht cheaper a day, but stay for 2 weeks. She accepted immediately. I think the upfront payment is what "sold" her. That lump sum up front was just too tempting and I am sure it would have been an empty room otherwise.

That said, I only really haggle about hotel prices when I feel like they are trying to pull one over on me, which isn't often since I get the prices early and I generally know what to expect for different types of hotels/guesthouses. Check the room first, though.

I think many, if not most, hotels and guest houses have weekly and monthly rates, which are lower than the daily rate. Quite reasonable to ask about such, but not at all like trying to bargain them down.

[TinaKohChang]

I doubt you would find such bargains around Sukhumvit, but it surely is worth a try in Backpackers haven around Khao Sarn Rd. or Khaosan Rd., if the hippie style crowd and very simple standard rooms is what you are looking for.

But 200 Baht a night, incl. a/c... no way, not even if you have to share your room with cockroaches and other disgusting room mates...

800 Baht is very reasonable already for Sukhumvit, if you can get them down to 650 THB, you have bargained hard. ;-). But it always depends also on the length of your stay, if you stay for 3 weeks or a month, they may give you a very special deal...

Good luck and much fun while in LoS..

[CharlieH]

And the high - rollers just keep on coming !.........amazing Thailand!

[dao16]

I doubt you would find such bargains around Sukhumvit, but it surely is worth a try in Backpackers haven around Khao Sarn Rd. or Khaosan Rd., if the hippie style crowd and very simple standard rooms is what you are looking for.

But 200 Baht a night, incl. a/c... no way, not even if you have to share your room with cockroaches and other disgusting room mates...

800 Baht is very reasonable already for Sukhumvit, if you can get them down to 650 THB, you have bargained hard. ;-). But it always depends also on the length of your stay, if you stay for 3 weeks or a month, they may give you a very special deal...

Good luck and much fun while in LoS..

The first place I stayed at in Thailand was a place in KhaoSan road about 10 years ago. 200 baht a night. No roaches, but definitely bare. It did have airconditioning, though. I just needed a place to hole up and work on something online. I knew nothing of Thailand and I just said "KhaoSan" to the bus stand attendant and I was off.

Those places are still out there, but the prices have probably gone up. I don't do those anymore, but when you are first here and single, they can be nice little hovels to sleep in. When you are 20, you are hardly in the room anyway.

[Norvabc]

From my experience from Hat Yai to BKK One does not bargain over the cost a of a nights stay, however some rules do apply.

If the price seems to too hight for what you get you can have a go, but i have found recently that even in low seasons some Guest houses are advertising a room at say as i found in Nong Khai Room 500 B.

But when you enquire you are told they have all gone and only 750B is available, either walk away, as in Nong Kha you have many other cheap options or just tell them 500B no more.

First time I believed them and was the only person in the hotel at 750B for a damp room after the floods.

I think basically if you are on a budget shop around you will find cheap room or Resort to suit your pocket in most towns or if you like the place make them an offer, they will find something cheaper rather than loose the cash.

Edited September 16, 2013 by Norvabc

[Malthus101]

"In Thailand I've never had this happen. They just don't seem to care."

Welcome to Thailand.

[apetley]

Cringe worthy to see people bargaining over the price of a room considering how cheap most guest houses are.

 

This isn't the JJ Market you're at. The price tends to be fixed and to haggle over it is just embarrassing and rude IMO.

 

I'm sure some places which aren't busy might knock a few baht off it but from 800 down to 200 seems like desperation or nonsense to me. 

 

If it's true I'd hate to think of the service you would get or how bad the room they give you would be.

 

If you can't afford even cheap guest house rooms in Thailand then you probably should not be traveling. 

 

I've seen a group of backpackers haggling for a group discount on street food before. Really made me angry.

 

 

Guesthouse prices can be haggled and every single Thai I have ever gone travelling with has haggled. Most times they have got a reduction in the initial price offered.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ESCAPIS]

Thanks for those who volunteered experience and advice. Very insightful in the Thai way.

I was taught, while touring the indian subcontinent, to offer the third and expect to pay the two third. I have used this method with a fair amount of success, here in Thailand.

[brain1]

I love to read articles based on this type of thread, at it shows the worth of the person writing...

when one knows what is in their pocket or indeed what they think is a reasonable price for something they want and the same knowledgeable individual thinks the person they are dealing with is an idiot, it begs the question? ‘ who is fooling who’?

if you walk into any establishment with nothing in your pocket (or between the ears) and you expect the person in front of you to drop their price to below what they earn that day in a salary, then I suggest you look in the mirror! This country is not that cheap to live in or visit so why would you get a room for nothing?????

[TheSpade]

I doubt you would find such bargains around Sukhumvit, but it surely is worth a try in Backpackers haven around Khao Sarn Rd. or Khaosan Rd., if the hippie style crowd and very simple standard rooms is what you are looking for.

But 200 Baht a night, incl. a/c... no way, not even if you have to share your room with cockroaches and other disgusting room mates...

800 Baht is very reasonable already for Sukhumvit, if you can get them down to 650 THB, you have bargained hard. ;-). But it always depends also on the length of your stay, if you stay for 3 weeks or a month, they may give you a very special deal...

Good luck and much fun while in LoS..

The first place I stayed at in Thailand was a place in KhaoSan road about 10 years ago. 200 baht a night. No roaches, but definitely bare. It did have airconditioning, though. I just needed a place to hole up and work on something online. I knew nothing of Thailand and I just said "KhaoSan" to the bus stand attendant and I was off.

Those places are still out there, but the prices have probably gone up. I don't do those anymore, but when you are first here and single, they can be nice little hovels to sleep in. When you are 20, you are hardly in the room anyway.

There are still places in the Kowsarn area for those prices. Less even. I stayed in a place last year that was 180B for a single aircon room with ensuite because everywhere else was full. Just for one night until managed to get into my usual spot round there at the time which is 650B.

Not so long ago a mate had a place for about 170B with air con, double bed, fridge etc. Just a short walk from Kowsan along Samsen Road. There's other places similar priced in various locations apparently.

Guesthouse prices can be haggled and every single Thai I have ever gone travelling with has haggled. Most times they have got a reduction in the initial price offered.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You must know some cheap skate Thai's as all the Thai's I know and have travelled with always are happy to spend much more than I usually would and never, ever, haggle on price.

They spend over the odds and want places much nicer than I can see the point in having for a couple of nights stay and they will pay whatever is asked for it.

[wooloomooloo]

Not so long ago a mate had a place for about 170B with air con, double bed, fridge etc. Just a short walk from Kowsan along Samsen Road. There's other places similar priced in various locations apparently.

Blimey. For arguments sake let's imagine a round 50 baht to GBP (Bangkok Bank COB 49.74). That's £3.40 per night in central Bangkok.

Please endorse the disclaimer of what £3.40 will get you. It's not going to be fun, I'm absolutely certain of that.

[edwinchester]

 

I doubt you would find such bargains around Sukhumvit, but it surely is worth a try in Backpackers haven around Khao Sarn Rd. or Khaosan Rd., if the hippie style crowd and very simple standard rooms is what you are looking for.

 

But 200 Baht a night, incl. a/c... no way, not even if you have to share your room with cockroaches and other disgusting room mates...

 

800 Baht is very reasonable already for Sukhumvit, if you can get them down to 650 THB, you have bargained hard. ;-). But it always depends also on the length of your stay, if you stay for 3 weeks or a month, they may give you a very special deal...

 

Good luck and much fun while in LoS..

The first place I stayed at in Thailand was a place in KhaoSan road about 10 years ago. 200 baht a night. No roaches, but definitely bare. It did have airconditioning, though. I just needed a place to hole up and work on something online. I knew nothing of Thailand and I just said "KhaoSan" to the bus stand attendant and I was off.

    Those places are still out there, but the prices have probably gone up. I don't do those anymore, but when you are first here and single, they can be nice little hovels to sleep in. When you are 20, you are hardly in the room anyway.

 

 

There are still places in the Kowsarn area for those prices. Less even. I stayed in a place last year that was 180B for a single aircon room with ensuite because everywhere else was full. Just for one night until managed to get into my usual spot round there at the time which is 650B.

 

Not so long ago a mate had a place for about 170B with air con, double bed, fridge etc. Just a short walk from Kowsan along Samsen Road. There's other places similar priced in various locations apparently. 

 

 

Guesthouse prices can be haggled and every single Thai I have ever gone travelling with has haggled. Most times they have got a reduction in the initial price offered.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

 

 

 

You must know some cheap skate Thai's as all the Thai's I know and have travelled with always are happy to spend much more than I usually would and never, ever, haggle on price.

 

They spend over the odds and want places much nicer than I can see the point in having for a couple of nights stay and they will pay whatever is asked for it.

Thais haggle. It's what they do best:-) Nothing to do with being cheapskate.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[TinaKohChang]

And the high - rollers just keep on coming !.........amazing Thailand!

[Korat28]

I think for the most part Thai prices are fairly solid and fixed. I used to live in Vietnam (China Jr.) and there the shysters would try to overcharge/hustle you and you'd have to come back and get them to drop the price (that's one part of their culture I sure as hell don't miss). It's good to shave money off your guesthouse price here, but overall prices are usually fairly priced and for the area are probably competitive with the others. Back home in the West it's the same thing, hotels may drop the price a little if you stay longer, but overall prices are about what they quote.

[TinaKohChang]

And the high - rollers just keep on coming !.........amazing Thailand!

Padden? High Rollers? Read thread, OP is asking for a place in Sukhumvit area, I doubt one will find any room there for 200 Baht, so I suggest the Khaosan area... where I believe that it might be possible to get such prices with some luck, although it makes me wonder to read the other replies here to my post that such places still seem to exist nowadays around KS area for 200 B and even less. I am living here in the LoS almost 10 years and if I have business to do in Kungthep or anywhere, I prefer to stay quality, I like to have the comforts of home, like it to be neat and clean. I also appreciate the safety of a 4 to 5 star place. Another plus are the handy business- as well as leisure amenities, such places usually come with. But Having been a student and in my early 20's also once, traveling on tight budgets was common and the usual room rate to afford was at about 250 to 300 Baht a night.. What is bad about it if the youngsters travel cheap and need to find cheap accommodation? Would you kindly clarify? Edited September 17, 2013 by TinaKohChang

[Suradit69]

Cringe worthy to see people bargaining over the price of a room considering how cheap most guest houses are.

This isn't the JJ Market you're at. The price tends to be fixed and to haggle over it is just embarrassing and rude IMO.

I'm sure some places which aren't busy might knock a few baht off it but from 800 down to 200 seems like desperation or nonsense to me.

If it's true I'd hate to think of the service you would get or how bad the room they give you would be.

If you can't afford even cheap guest house rooms in Thailand then you probably should not be traveling.

I've seen a group of backpackers haggling for a group discount on street food before. Really made me angry.

"If it's true I'd hate to think of the service you would get or how bad the room they give you would be."

If we're talking Bangkok and a few hundred baht a night, you're already into scary territory as far as how bad the room would be. Why not just pitch a home-made tent and pretend to be eccentric rather than desperate.

Edited September 17, 2013 by Suradit69

[angrybird]

Am I alone in never having bargained for anything, too demeaning.

[monkey4u]

Barganing for a cheaper price on a room,

Are you sooo poor you cant afford a couple of hundred baht??

Please dont come to my wifes cafe and try for a discount, you will need the help of an ambulance,

Thats after my wife is finished with you.

I dont get involved anymore she is more nasty than me