The Barter System

I don't really have too much to add today. I was hoping for a more eventful Saturday, but when both sister Westerby and Sister Woodward both fell ill Saturday morning I knew I was on my own. I took advantage of the down time. I read, went shopping, wandered through town a little. I bought a few souvenirs at a local market and braved a few more photos. The local artisans (and wannabe artisans) have gathered themselves into small groupings of shops. The "pit" which I spoke about a few weeks ago is one such place. I visited another today. These small commercial areas rely more upon charity than any good economic theory. Every little "shop" carries the exact designs over and over again through there is some variety in quality. One could literally spend hours without moving more than 20 yards and see hundreds of the relatively same carved lion. The sheer volume of supply makes negotiation almost too easy on the part of the buyer. I have now learned that I should start the bidding. If I let them start, I would almost feel bad lowering it down. They usually start up in the 20 dollar range for things we would find at the local dollar store. That said, these people live in meager circumstances and the majority of the salesmen also create the items by hand. So I play the game. On this particular outing I purchased Sara some bracelets and a necklace. At the necklace store we bartered back and forth. I originally offered 1 cedi (which equals 1 dollar) for a blue beaded necklace and a key chain in the shape of Ghana. She smiled, laughed a bit, and in a soft, polite tone acted shocked. Normally the necklace is three Cedi all by itself she said. The logic behind the pricing was quite natural. The necklace 3, the bracelets 2, the key chains 1. The game began. Having had the logic explained I offered 3 for both the necklace and the key chain. She hesitated. I had offered her 1 cedi less than she was hoping for. She glanced around the area. Customers were fairly scarce. In fact I had not seen a single other person looking to purchase anything. I was probably the only customer she had all day, if not all month. "3.50" she replied. She was taking some chances. I thought about running my usual routine. Normally, having had my price rejected, I put the items down and begin to look at the next shop over. This almost always works, yet I am a bit hesitant this time. During her hesitation, I too had noticed the absence of customers. I accept the offer. I give her a four 1 cedi bills and ask for change. Diligently she sets out looking for fifty cents in the back of her shop. After about 3 minutes she immerges holding the money out for me to take. She is honest, and I appreciate that. She could have said she had no change and tried to force my hand for the full 4 cedis. I smile and tell her to keep the change. At this her eyes catch fire as her smile would have lightened even the darkest of those shops. As I walked away I wondered what 50 cents would buy in her world. In the end she got her full four cedis, but I got to play the game and pretend to be generous.

A few minutes later I arrived at another shop with fairly stylish bracelets. I start off with my usual offer of 1 cedi. He laughs, and tells me they are usually 3. I smile, and continue to examine the products. He has a second bracelets that is not as good, but comparable. I offer 3 cedi for the both of them. "It's buy one get one free day" I say to him. At first he hesitates, "no, no promotion today" he says, as if there are days when it does happen. This time I go through the routine. I set the bracelets back on the table and thank him for his time. As I begin to walk away, as always, he stops me. "you are a nice man. Just because I like you I will give you your promotion." I got both for 3.

On the walk home I wonder about the ethics of bartering poverty. That night, I show the bracelet to Sara and ask her what she thinks one would pay for it in the US. She guesses between 7 to 10 dollars. I guess I did a good job of going directly to the source.

Here are just a few more pictures from my walk.

Love you all - Jeff