Mexico Open Air Markets

For my first blog entry I figured I would talk about the unique experience I had in the open air markets in Mexico. We traveled to a small town "La Cruza Cita" to do a little shopping expecting the normal bargaining for prices you often find in open air markets there. In the open air market (consisting of both sides of one street) we found all the expected homemade clothes, jewelry, and nic-knacks. I was surprised to find that all the prices were the same when comparing one t'shirt, to another different one made by a different and sold by a different vendor. This struck me as odd...wouldn't they want to lower their prices to encourage buyers when the person next to them is selling the same thing? I started trying to bargain, and found the people would not budge their prices. I soon found out that they made a pact of sorts with each other in the market. They set a standard price for similar goods, one that was lower than the shops outside the open air market, but consistent within. If I wanted to have that t'shirt, I paid the listed price. I knew it was more expensive to buy the t'shirt the next street over, and also knew it was the same price as the vendor next to it. It was very intelligent of them to make a pact, which they all follow quite well because they win in the end. It was an enlightening way for me to look at simple markets not governed by any constitutional laws. Just a little food for thought!

Ash