Market challenge: How much can you haggle or get for free? [Part 2]
by BirdyMoola on 21st April 09 at 8:00 am

Challenge: Part 2 of 2 in How much can you haggle or get for free?

It’s 4pm at Borough Market, and even though I’ve just filled up on a three-course menu of samples, I really need to get down to some haggling business. And just as I’m starting to panic that I’ll never pick up a bargain, a cacophany of mad discounting fills the air as the stall owners start to pack up for the day.
It’s half-price fish over at Furness Fish Market, “two pies for a fiver” (down from £3.95 each) at Pie Minster and the fruit and veg stand on Stoney Street is flogging bowls of assorted veg for a £1.

I head over to Flour Power City Bakery as the stall owners are clearing the tables by throwing dozens of loaves into bin liners. This is it – time to haggle.
“Will you take two pounds for this?” I ask, pointing at a loaf of £3.50 soda bread.
“No,” says Gruff Dude, shovelling more loaves into the rubbish bag.
“Er, you’re not chucking those away, are you?” I nervously laugh, in a rather clumsy and futile attempt to make conversation.
Gruff Dude continues to shovel bread. The stall is almost empty.
I decide to press on. “So, how much do you want for it?”
“£3.50”
“Ohhh…”
“But I’ll throw in some free bread if you like…”
Aha! A ray of light! “Deal,” I say, handing over the cash.
I watch as Gruff Dude reaches for a shopping bag and proceeds to stuff it with as many different loaves as he can. I take home a total of four loaves of artisan bread valued at £14 – for a total cost of £3.50.

I’ve learnt my lesson. Whilst drastic discounting is out, free extras on top of the original asking price is totally in.
I continue on my merry haggling way, and end up going home with:
Wedge of Welsh cheese £2 – reduced from £2.90
4 loaves of artisan bread £3.50 – reduced from £14
6 pork Boston sausages £4 – reduced from £5.20
2 slices of Banoffee pie £3 – reduced from £4

Total spent: £12.50
Full price of produce: £26.10
Total saved: £13.60
All posts on this challenge
- Market challenge: How much can you haggle or get for free?
- Market challenge: How much can you haggle or get for free? [Part 2]
Posted in Bargains & Markets, Food
Tags: Borough Market, discount, haggling, market, samples
Comments (2)
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I love Borough Market - even though I’ve only been once (bit far away, unfortunately). We were there all afternoon - and by about 4pm, like yourself, we went round seeing what we could knock the price down on!
We left with loads of cheese, pate, bread and some olives - at really bargain prices :)
Absolutely Brilliant bit of bargaining there! You should take it to the next level and try the Souks in Marrakech ;)