On the path to bargain deals in souks and markets is a big part of the appeal of holiday in the Middle East and North Africa.
From fake designer bags from Turkish holiday resorts to incredibly intricate textile rugs, I want to go home, but I'm not sure if I'm getting a bargain.
Next are Tunisian luxury leather goods, as well as Moroccan silk and spices, lanterns and ceramics. But it looks very beautiful and attractive to buy, but I find it easy to tear as a tourist navigating foreign souks and market customs.
But I have help on hand from Philip Brebner, a British writer and architect who lives part-time in Morocco and has been buying and selling rare rugs in the souks in Turkey and Marrakech for over 20 years.
Philip, author of Marrakech's murder novel Shadows, revealed his main tips for putting bargains in a bag.
He says that the first and important step is to start a friendly conversation and “laugh” before asking for the price of the item.
“It's just a more enjoyable negotiation.”
British villas simply ask how much there is without even greeting them when they are not going to buy it anyway.
” Ask the shopkeeper casual questions. It can smooth the path to lower prices. If you have time, start negotiating prices and ask him a thing or two about his store, or the country or city you're in, and enter into a general conversation.
“If it's all very relaxed and comfortable, you're going to get the price you like. Or, if it's a little more than you want to spend, you walk away thinking you have something from it.
I learned a bit about Morocco and perhaps the store owner's life or family. ”
Philip warns that Brits are in the habit of asking the price of an item even when they don't want to buy it.
“Unless you're interested in purchasing, don't ask for the price of anything, because we'll start negotiations right away at that point.”
Busy Brits also get tired of endless negotiations that they don't realize it's part of local customs and traditions, and they're not doing it to bother you.
“The negotiations go over and over again, and sometimes you think tourists can't bother them. And just say, 'Well, no, I'm not going to buy it', they're tired of haggling and want them to ride and see something else.
“If you look at what you really like and they give you a price you think you're fair, if you think it's cheaper than what you might pay in Europe or the UK, save yourself a lot and just pay it.”
However, if you are in the mood for a bid war, we recommend starting by offering a third of the price you are given.
Philip adds: “We can then meet at Midway Point. This will be about 50 or 60% of the original price given and everyone is happy.”
Of course, if things aren't going your way, you can of course threaten to leave the sale to get the lowest possible price
Asking the price is the beginning of negotiations, but Philip says that you can threaten to leave the sale to get the lowest possible price, but Philip warns that getting a shahti won't work.
He told the email trip: And you can get more or less the price you want.
“You have to realize that it is very cultural in the Middle East, especially in Morocco, and they aren't doing it just to bother people.
“There's no sense of time there. It's just when you go to the store, chat, exchange ideas about what the price is. A hugging is just social.
Philip's book, “Shadows of Marrakech,” is currently published in paperback and can be purchased from Amazon and most bookstores.
