Except in supermarkets and stores where the prices are marked, bargaining is the common practice when shopping in open markets and in many shops. Vendors will not generally bargain on items which are commonly sold by the measure, e.g., a cup of sugar, quantity of salt or spices, kilo of meat, cup of oil, etc.

Vegetable and fruit prices, however, will vary according to their availability. In some cases one might notice there are two price sets: one price for Gambians and another higher price for foreigners or tourists. The difference in price sets will not vary much with food items, but will for fabric, woodwork, craft and other luxury items.

Many people feel justified in asking more from foreigners given the obvious economic disparity. Being able to use a local language in bargaining and describing merchandise is a great advantage and will delight vendors. However, there is a point at which a vendor will go no further and may become intransigent, insulted or even bored if one persists in undercutting the last stated price.
Prices may vary from day to day depending on the vendor’s mood as well as the approach of the customer.

Bargaining can be fun and is a great way to make conversation with Gambians and practice language skills. If the effort to get beneath the tourist price is taken too seriously, a great deal of time and frustration may be wasted over a few Dalasis.

Vendors will also become offended if you bargain for an item with no intention of buying it.

With regular taxis, the fare is fixed but sometimes bargainable.
GPTC buses have fixed fares for every destination. One can also bargain when hiring a taxi, or securing the services of a tailor, smith, carpenter, or mason. The hiring of a taxi is referred to as “town trip”.

There are weekly open markets called “luumoo” and they are held in different parts of the country on different days.