The joys of the souk lies not simply within the treasures you discover, however within the negotiation of the worth. Discover ways to flip each memento purchase into an journey.
Consumers in a standard souk within the outdated Medina of Marrakesh (Picture: AFP/Getty Pictures)
Haggling your option to a cut price deal in a souk or market is a big a part of the allure of a vacation within the Center East or North Africa – however how do you be sure you’re not getting ripped off?
From pretend designer luggage in Turkish vacation resorts to their extremely intricate woven rugs, you’ll like to ship again house however do not know in case you are getting a cut price.
Then there are the luxurious leather-based items of Tunisia and the silks and spices, lanterns and ceramics of Morocco. However whereas it seems to be so stunning and tempting to purchase, it appears like it’s simple to get ripped off as a vacationer navigating the customs of a overseas souk or market.
Assistance is at hand, although, from British author and architect Philip Brebner, who lives part-time in Morocco and has been shopping for and promoting uncommon rugs within the souks of Turkey and Marrakech for over 20 years, usually saving himself tons of of kilos.
Philip, writer of the murder-mystery novel Shadows of Marrakech, has revealed his high ideas for bagging a cut price with a market shopkeeper.
He says the primary all essential step is to strike up a pleasant dialog and ‘have amusing’ earlier than asking for the worth of an merchandise.
“It simply makes for a extra nice negotiation.”
All too usually British holidaymakers merely ask how a lot one thing is with out even saying hey and infrequently once they don’t have any intention of shopping for it anyway.
“Ask the shopkeeper some informal questions. It will possibly clean the way in which to a lower cost. Should you’ve received time, a very good trick is to begin negotiating a value after which ask him one or two issues about his store, or concerning the nation or metropolis you’re in, and get right into a common dialog.
“If it is all very relaxed, and nice, you may find yourself getting a value you want. And even, if it is a bit greater than you wished to spend, go away considering that you’ve one thing out of it.
You have realized a bit about Morocco and possibly the shopkeeper’s life, or household.”
Philip warns that Brits have a behavior of asking the worth of things even once they do not need to purchase it.
“Don’t ask the worth of something until you are involved in shopping for, as a result of then you definately’re instantly opening a negotiation at that time.”
Busy Brits additionally get fed up with the countless negotiating not realising it’s a part of the native customized and custom and they aren’t doing it to harass you.
“The negotiations can travel, and on and on, and generally I believe vacationers simply cannot be bothered with that, and simply say “properly, no, I am not going to purchase it” as a result of they’re uninterested in haggling and so they need to get on and see one thing else.
“Should you see one thing that you simply actually like, and so they offer you a value you suppose is honest, or is cheaper than what you may pay in Europe or Britain, save your self numerous problem and simply pay it.”
Nevertheless in case you are within the temper for a bidding battle then it’s really helpful you begin by providing a 3rd of the worth you get given.
Philip provides: “You may then meet at a halfway level, which might be about 50 or 60 per cent of the unique value you got, and everyone’s completely happy.”
You may in fact threaten to stroll away from the sale as a way to get the bottom value doable if issues aren’t going your means
Though asking the worth is the beginning of a negotiation, Philip says you’ll be able to threaten to stroll away from the sale as a way to get the bottom value doable, however Philip warns that getting shirty is not going to work.
He advised Mail Journey: “If the worst involves the worst, and also you simply suppose it is an excessive amount of, the most effective factor to do is stroll away, and certain sufficient, they will comply with you and say, “Okay, proper, give me your greatest value.” And you will get the worth you need roughly. However you need to be very pleasant.’
“You must realise haggling could be very a lot a cultural factor within the Center East, particularly Morocco. They are not doing it simply to harass folks.
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“There is not any sense of time there. It’s a case of simply going alongside to the outlets, having a chat, and exchanging concepts about what a value could be. Haggling is only a social factor. Simply hold your cool and hold a smile in your face!”
Philip’s e-book Shadows of Marrakech is out now in paperback, in the stores from Amazon and most bookshops.
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