The Amish don't haggle like an Eastern bazaar. But they don't price arbitrarily either.

Principle

Price should be fair. Not minimal — fair. Covers materials + time + reasonable profit. Overcharging is sinful. Selling below cost is foolish (you'll go broke and burden the community).

How Price Forms

Materials (exact calculation). Time (by the hour, $15-25/hr for a craftsman). Profit (15-25%). Rounding. Written price is the price. Haggling is inappropriate.

When Discounts Apply

Buying in bulk — 10-20% volume discount. Regular customer — loyalty discount. Poor neighbor — at cost (no profit). Widow or orphan — free (community decides).

With the English

Tourists often try to bargain. An Amish person will politely decline. The price is fair — nothing to negotiate. If the tourist insists — the Amish person silently removes the item. No sale is better than a dishonest sale.

Wisdom

Greed destroys reputation. Reputation is an Amish person's only marketing. One cheated customer = ten lost. In a 300-family community, reputation is everything.