The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: December sixth, with a gift-buyers guide to Shopping 101.

Emeralds in the Caribbean, Porcelain vases in China, handmade carpets in Morocco, bringing back a beautiful item can make a magnificent memento of a place and a trip, especially if it was a bargain. Too often, however, when viewed in the sober light of home, must-have purchases turn out not to have been such good deal. Here are suggestions to avoid a case of buyer's remorse.

First, do some research beforehand. If, for example, you're going someplace with an idea of buying Oriental carpets, visit local rug stores before you go. Get acquainted with different weaves, fabrics and methods of dyeing, as well as an understanding of issues such as quality and price. Do some rug reading, either online or at the library.

At your destination, never buy the item in the first store you visit, at least not without checking out the competition. Without knowing a local price, how can you tell if an item's a bargain or even a fair deal. Don't blow your budget. Set a spending limit and keep track of it in the heat of negotiation. Also figure factors such as taxes, shipping costs and foreign exchange rates into your calculations.

Don't think you can bargain better than the locals. You can't. Merchant almost always hold all the cards and know all the tricks. Travelers who believe they're getting a steal often wind up holding the bag. Instead, try to reach a fair price for quality goods.

Finally, it seldom pays to have items appraised at home. Buy something because you love it, not because of how much you think it's worth. The best time for an appraisal is before you make the deal.

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