Haggling your way to a bargain deal in a souk or market is a huge part of the charm of a holiday in the Middle East or North Africa – but how do you make sure you’re not getting ripped off?
Fear not, expert help is at hand.
British writer and architect Philip Brebner, who lives between Portugal and Morocco, has been buying and selling rare rugs in the souks of Turkey and Marrakech for over 20 years and has often saved himself hundreds of pounds.
And now Philip, author of murder-mystery novel Shadows of Marrakech, reveals exclusively to MailOnline Travel his top tips for bagging a bargain with a market shopkeeper. Read on to find out how to avoid getting the rug pulled from underneath you when negotiating a price…
STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION
The first step to a successful negotiation, says Philip, is to strike up a conversation and ‘have a laugh’ before asking for the price of an item.
‘It just makes for a more pleasant negotiation,’ he adds.
WHEN TO ASK FOR A PRICE
Philip says a common mistake people make when they go shopping in markets around the world is asking the shopkeeper for the price of a product when they have no intention of buying it.
He warns: ‘Do not ask the price of anything unless you’re interested in buying, because then you’re immediately opening a negotiation at that point.
Philip Brebner, who has been buying and selling rare rugs in Turkey and Morocco for over 20 years, reveals his top tips for bagging a bargain in the souks of the Middle East and North Africa. Pictured – Marrakech
Philip (pictured) says a common mistake people make when they go shopping in markets around the world is asking the shopkeeper for the price of a product when they have no intention of buying it
‘Often tourists will ask a price, the shopkeeper will give a price, the tourist will say no, the shopkeeper then asks, “What’s your best price?” and then the tourist starts getting angry about the back and forth, rather than just accepting they’re getting into a negotiation.
‘The negotiations can go back and forth, and on and on, and sometimes I think tourists just can’t be bothered with that, and just say “well, no, I’m not going to buy it” because they’re tired of haggling and they want to get on and see something else.
‘If you see something that you really like, and they give you a price you think is fair, or is cheaper than what you might pay in Europe or Britain, save yourself a lot of hassle and just pay it.’
HOW TO DECIDE ON A FIGURE
If you are in the mood for a bidding war, Philip recommends starting by offering a third of the price you get given.
He adds: ‘You can then meet at a midway point, which would be about 50 or 60 per cent of the original price you were given, and everybody’s happy.’
DOES WALKING AWAY WORK?
Although asking the price is the start of a negotiation, Philip says you can threaten to walk away from the sale in order to get the lowest price possible.
He says: ‘If the worst comes to the worst, and you just think it’s too much, the best thing to do is walk away, and sure enough, they’ll follow you and say, “Okay, right, give me your best price.” And you can more or less get the price you want.’
He adds: ‘But you have to be very friendly.’
‘Getting grumpy or shirty’ with shopkeepers, and assuming they’re out to get them when they’re pushed for their best price, is a mistake Philip says first-time hagglers make (file image)
KEEP YOUR COOL
‘Getting grumpy or shirty’ with the shopkeepers, and assuming they’re out to get them when they’re pushed for their best price, is another mistake Philip says first-time hagglers make.
He adds: ‘They think he’s hassling them, but he’s just trying to make a sale and get a good price that’s mutually convenient.’
He continues: ‘You have to realise haggling is very much a cultural thing in the Middle East, especially Morocco. They’re not doing it just to annoy people.
‘There’s no sense of time there. It’s a case of just going along to the shops, having a chat, and exchanging ideas about what a price might be. Haggling is just a social thing.
‘Just keep your cool and keep a smile on your face!’
PRO TIP
Ask the shopkeeper some casual questions. It can smooth the way to a lower price.
Philip explains: ‘If you’ve got time, a good trick is to start negotiating a price and then ask him one or two things about his shop, or about Morocco [if that’s where you are], or if he’s from Marrakech, and get into a general conversation.
‘If it’s all very relaxed, and pleasant, you’ll end up getting a price you like. Or even, if it’s a bit more than you wanted to spend, go away thinking that you’ve got something out of it.
‘You’ve learned a bit about Morocco and maybe the shopkeeper’s life, or family.’
Philip’s book Shadows of Marrakech is out now in paperback, available to buy from Amazon and most bookshops.