Tipping, ATMs and When/When Not to Haggle

coolcanuck · Apr 16th, 2006, 02:17

Hi, I realise these questions aren't Mumbai-specific, but since that's where I'm heading for a week, thought it best to post here.

As a first time visitor to Mumbai next week, I hoping someone can help me with what fair and reasonable tipping is? For example - hotel pickup from the airport (and back), taxis, restaurants, bellhops, etc. Any advice much appreciated!

Secondly, while I can get Rupees at the airport, have people been successful using ATMs in the city to get money from North American (Canadian in my instance) bank accounts? I ask only because I've had trouble even in Paris and London sometimes.

Lastly, in what stores is it suitable to haggle on prices? I've gotten very mixed advice on this, and would appreciate input on what sort of stores it is/isn't suitable to haggle. I don't want to come across as a boorish (and ignorant) tourist!

On a related note, my wife is determined that I get her some fabric (which is a dangerous request!). Can anyone recommend any fixed price (and hopefully air conditioned) stores for that sort of thing? I can't see myself having the resolve to search in the markets, and the heat, for that 'perfect' bolt of fabric and then have to bargain at length for it - my heart just wouldn't be in it. I would inevitably come back with something that she loathes (and that I paid too much for)!

I'd much prefer to go to an place with AC, and browse at leisure.

Many Thanks!
Mike

Malkers · Apr 16th, 2006, 02:42

Welcome to India Mike Mike

Tipping is down to the individual as always and there is no right or wrong way. Personally I only tip if I get good service and if I get bad service I make a point of definitely not tipping, you get both ends of the scale here in India. Again with percentage it is up to you, I guess 10% is the norm but I've tipped a lot more for exemplary service and a lot less for 'just ok' service or food. Nobody has ever made me feel any different by tipping or not tipping.

ATMs are plentiful but you'll probably find your card will only work in the modern banks like UTI, HSBC, HDFC, IDBI, ICICI and rarely in the state banks. You've not said what signs are on your card, Cirrus, Maestro etc???

In the markets or any shop that doesn't show pricing, just haggle away as much as you can. If I go to a shop that has prices shown and they clearly aren't part of a national chain then I don't haggle so much as just ask if thats a fixed price, about 7 times out of 10 they'll give a small to medium discount especially if you give a slight impression you are prepared to look somewhere else. For national chains and malls, forget it!

Someone from Mumbai will help you on the fabric side!

Cheers
Malc

CANADON · Apr 16th, 2006, 04:59

I was recently in Mumbai and I used my Royal Bank card at a number of ATM's.No problem. It was the easiest place in India for me to use it.

Casey · Apr 16th, 2006, 05:06

I was unable to use my card and my boyfriend was unable to use his Royal Bank card. We tried whenever we saw a machine. We had no problems in Thailand, however, no luck in India.

CANADON · Apr 16th, 2006, 05:21

Well outside of Mumbai I had problems with a Royal Bank card(even in machines with the plus symbol).In fact next time I go I"ll make sure to have a pin number for my visa.But in downtown Mumbai(say from the Gates of India to the train station) I used it sucessfully at 4 or 5 different ATM's.

seventies'hippy · Apr 16th, 2006, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolcanuck

.
Lastly, in what stores is it suitable to haggle on prices? I've gotten very mixed advice on this, and would appreciate input on what sort of stores it is/isn't suitable to haggle. I don't want to come across as a boorish (and ignorant) tourist!

On a related note, my wife is determined that I get her some fabric (which is a dangerous request!). Can anyone recommend any fixed price (and hopefully air conditioned) stores for that sort of thing? I can't see myself having the resolve to search in the markets, and the heat, for that 'perfect' bolt of fabric and then have to bargain at length for it - my heart just wouldn't be in it. I would inevitably come back with something that she loathes (and that I paid too much for)!

I'd much prefer to go to an place with AC, and browse at leisure.

Many Thanks!
Mike

I think the whole culture shock thing will blow you away so much that your wife won't get her fabric,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

cloudchaser · Apr 19th, 2006, 20:44

coolcanuck - Let me know what part of Bombay you will be in and I can then ask around and recommend a few places for buying the fabric.

Merchant · Apr 19th, 2006, 21:45

Tipping is always appreciated. You should also use it to your advantage. Tip all the relevant people in your hotel at the outset. Tips are To Insure Prompt Service.

Apr 16th, 2006, 02:17	#1
coolcanuck Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 1	Tipping, ATMs and When/When Not to Haggle Hi, I realise these questions aren't Mumbai-specific, but since that's where I'm heading for a week, thought it best to post here. As a first time visitor to Mumbai next week, I hoping someone can help me with what fair and reasonable tipping is? For example - hotel pickup from the airport (and back), taxis, restaurants, bellhops, etc. Any advice much appreciated! Secondly, while I can get Rupees at the airport, have people been successful using ATMs in the city to get money from North American (Canadian in my instance) bank accounts? I ask only because I've had trouble even in Paris and London sometimes. Lastly, in what stores is it suitable to haggle on prices? I've gotten very mixed advice on this, and would appreciate input on what sort of stores it is/isn't suitable to haggle. I don't want to come across as a boorish (and ignorant) tourist! On a related note, my wife is determined that I get her some fabric (which is a dangerous request!). Can anyone recommend any fixed price (and hopefully air conditioned) stores for that sort of thing? I can't see myself having the resolve to search in the markets, and the heat, for that 'perfect' bolt of fabric and then have to bargain at length for it - my heart just wouldn't be in it. I would inevitably come back with something that she loathes (and that I paid too much for)! I'd much prefer to go to an place with AC, and browse at leisure. Many Thanks! Mike

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Apr 16th, 2006, 02:42	#2
Malkers Not So Bloody Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chipping Sodbury, UK (was Bangalore) Posts: 411	Welcome to India Mike Mike Tipping is down to the individual as always and there is no right or wrong way. Personally I only tip if I get good service and if I get bad service I make a point of definitely not tipping, you get both ends of the scale here in India. Again with percentage it is up to you, I guess 10% is the norm but I've tipped a lot more for exemplary service and a lot less for 'just ok' service or food. Nobody has ever made me feel any different by tipping or not tipping. ATMs are plentiful but you'll probably find your card will only work in the modern banks like UTI, HSBC, HDFC, IDBI, ICICI and rarely in the state banks. You've not said what signs are on your card, Cirrus, Maestro etc??? In the markets or any shop that doesn't show pricing, just haggle away as much as you can. If I go to a shop that has prices shown and they clearly aren't part of a national chain then I don't haggle so much as just ask if thats a fixed price, about 7 times out of 10 they'll give a small to medium discount especially if you give a slight impression you are prepared to look somewhere else. For national chains and malls, forget it! Someone from Mumbai will help you on the fabric side! Cheers Malc

Apr 16th, 2006, 04:59	#3
CANADON Canadon Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto,canada Posts: 101	I was recently in Mumbai and I used my Royal Bank card at a number of ATM's.No problem. It was the easiest place in India for me to use it.

Apr 16th, 2006, 05:06	#4
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 637	I was unable to use my card and my boyfriend was unable to use his Royal Bank card. We tried whenever we saw a machine. We had no problems in Thailand, however, no luck in India.

Apr 16th, 2006, 05:21	#5
CANADON Canadon Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: toronto,canada Posts: 101	Well outside of Mumbai I had problems with a Royal Bank card(even in machines with the plus symbol).In fact next time I go I"ll make sure to have a pin number for my visa.But in downtown Mumbai(say from the Gates of India to the train station) I used it sucessfully at 4 or 5 different ATM's.

Apr 19th, 2006, 20:44	#7
cloudchaser As uncomfortable as a bum on a porcupine. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 158	coolcanuck - Let me know what part of Bombay you will be in and I can then ask around and recommend a few places for buying the fabric.

Apr 19th, 2006, 21:45	#8
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Tipping is always appreciated. You should also use it to your advantage. Tip all the relevant people in your hotel at the outset. Tips are To Insure Prompt Service.

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