Bartering in Thailand

L[Deactivated] on 19/07/2015 - 01:25
Last edited 19/07/2015 - 01:27

Hi everyone!

My friends recently traveled to South America and managed to trade an old phone for an exquisite handwoven rug.

Basically i would like to hear about your experiences on bartering items. Specifically trading an item for another item (not haggling)

Thanks to ozbargain, i've got 10 zte optus phones sitting at home as a by product of the netflix deal! Rather then having a perfectly working phone dismantled through recycling, i was wondering if these phones can be leveraged or gifted.

So if you have done something similar as my friends, i would love to hear your bartering stories! (especially if it was in Thailand)

Feedback welcome on recommendations on gifting phones to a local charity

Thanks :)

Travel

Comments

  • modsec802 on 19/07/2015 - 08:12
    +3

    Pretty sure they don't have Optus in Thailand.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2015 - 18:56

      Ive managed to unlock them with lock codes on ozbargain. So the phones can be used with any sims :)

  • Peck on 19/07/2015 - 14:43

    A lot of the street beggars there have smart phones. Even 'they' are into status symbols.

  • SydStrand on 19/07/2015 - 15:54
    +2

    Lol? If you have some notion that Thailand is a remote backwater where natives trade ivory and amber for phones and mirrors, correct that. Even in poorer areas, they still get wifi and smartphones. Traders in even largest markets like Chatuchak won't care for your phones and low-ball you. Save yourself the hassle and keep your 10 ZTE phones at home.

    • Slippy on 19/07/2015 - 16:41
      -1

      If I am in Chatuchak bartering for an item, and we are about to make a deal and he wont budge from his price and i wont budge from mine, and i have a phone, I could smile and offer it to him "how bout 100 baht plus this phone then! and it may get him over the line? at least would be entertaining for both parties I think.

      • SydStrand on 19/07/2015 - 17:39
        +1

        If you're bartering for something in the ballpark of 100 baht (3-4 dollars) and have to throw in a phone to sweeten the deal, it's probably not worth the inconvenience of even packing and carrying ten to save a few bucks during your trip.

    • moo on 19/07/2015 - 18:46
      +1

      If you have some notion that Thailand is a remote backwater where natives trade ivory and amber for phones and mirrors, correct that.

      It is an interesting observation you have made. From the many circles of people which I have had to interact with, especially the ones who hasn't had the opportunity to venture beyond Australia, tend to question (naively) as to whether do people in South East Asia, South Africa etc still in live in trees. Granted that flights are cheap and therefore travel are is within reach for most people, the sheer level of ignorance and skepticism never fail to amaze me.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2015 - 19:44

        South America isn't a place I've traveled to but i would think their country would have pretty decent wifi and up to date electronics. I was surprised my friends were able to barter their old phone in the first place. Either they are good negotiators or its something that can happen (even if rarely).

        It's astonishing to see people jump to the conclusion that i think these places are 3rd world and would gladly trade their items for 'phones and mirrors'. How about a plot twist?… i'm s.e asian and have traveled to other parts of s.e asia and know 100% they don't live in trees.. at least in my town =P

        Also just because you dont think its worth 'lugging around' it doesnt mean other people think the same.

        • SydStrand on 19/07/2015 - 22:23

          Well firstly, South America isn't a country. Second, the one who seems to hope their cheap ZTE phones are worth anything, is you. Your friend traded something worthless for a nice rug? Cool, but that's a sample size of one from a completely different country and culture. Why would it even occur to you that such a thing might work in Thailand, other than both being developing regions?

          Also just because you dont think its worth 'lugging around' it doesnt mean other people think the same.

          You're asking for feedback and recommendations. No one here thinks it's worth it. You'll maybe save a few bucks with the novelty, but I'd probably be able to haggle them down the same amount regardless. You say you have ten phones? Definitely not worth the weight in your pack.

  • outlander on 19/07/2015 - 17:49

    Could be useful as a defense against pickpocketing.

    • Peck on 19/07/2015 - 18:56
      +2

      hehe! Carry one, well exposed, in each pocket and keep deliberately bumping into pick pockets until they are all gone!! Voila! Insurance claim on your Citibank Signature Card free travel insurance!! Win - Win !

  • Morien on 19/07/2015 - 19:18

    What you are wanting to do is a good idea, but won't work, and will get you called ฝรั่งขี้นก (which is used in regards to stingy foreigners… and has a funny literal meaning…)

    • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2015 - 19:50

      Not bothered about the name calling.. considering when you haggle you're likely to be called names.

      Curious if this is something you've seen attempted??

      • Morien on 19/07/2015 - 20:22

        Nope. Just very familiar with it all.

        Don't get me wrong, perhaps it will work, but then, when you see the sorts of phones they have there you'll understand why I'm doubtful that anyone would accept it.

        I am willing to be proven wrong.

        Keep in mind that this is likely a person's sole source of income, one which goes to either feeding their family, or feeding their vices. Having an extra phone that has far fewer features (even if it is far more durable) than the one in their pocket (or the one that costs 800baht down at Tesco Lotus) is unlikely to push them into selling you something at under cost. And trust me, if they let you walk away, then it just isn't worth it to them.

        The more I think about it the more it is like Jack and the magic beans - or in this case Nong Poe and the crappy phone :P

    • outlander on 19/07/2015 - 19:50

      I think there's an OzBargain badge for that

  • Peck on 19/07/2015 - 22:55

    You might be able to sell them to one of the street vendors who sell all things related to mobiles, but I would not expect much for them. As alluded to above, you can buy a new non-smart phone with warranty, in Bkk for about $35.

  • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2015 - 16:46

    Think way outside of the main cities/tourist traps - that is probably where your friends traded their phone. I don't see why you couldn't do the same in Thailand… but perhaps not anywhere near Bangkok/Phuket/a western toilet.

    • zappy32 on 20/07/2015 - 18:42

      Also a lot of South American countries have a high 'luxury tax' on goods such as smart phones which will mean that even in stores they can sell for twice the price as they do here. I bartered an old Huawei for cigars in Cuba is about as good as I've gotten… I couldn't buy cigars at local prices and the locals can't buy 'smart' phones.

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