Stories about people being ripped off while shopping in the souks! It happens...
The question is, how does it come this far and how come we let it happen to us!
In this article, I'll be looking into how to prepare for the souks. Before you come to Morocco and once you're here.
If there is one thing, that is more important than anything else when it comes to going shopping in the souks, it's this one: MAKE SURE IT FEELS LIKE FUN! (if it's not, then it's not a good deal)
While in the middle of making Baba ghanoush, (holiday hobby :) ) I heard the story of two people who had been out buying carpets and poufs in the souks and discovered the next day that what they had been thinking they had paid in Dirhams, had been taken off from their credit card as US Dollars. A huge sum ( a five figures one!) and the saddest story that ever came to my ears when it comes to shopping experiences.
It took them three days to sort things out and the shop owner insisted that this was the price they had agreed upon in Dollars.
A bad and sad story for the credibility of all the shop owners, caused by one greedy person.
And, needless to say, a ruined holiday and a never again experience for two people and everyone they'll meet.
The elder couple were telling me they had a weird feeling all the time while haggling. They were under the spell of the story, filled with discomfort and they did not want to be 'rude'.
These were the main reasons they stayed and came to an agreement!
What is this with being rude? Why do we so often do things to please and put aside our own feelings, our own well being?
If YOU are one of these people, then o boy, you can learn a LOT here! Take it as a boot camp in standing for who you are and what you want. A MASTER CLASS in STOPPING ANY sign that could find its way straight into your guilt zone!
So, what if you think,"that could be me!". Look at it from the bright side. This is your moment to start listening to your sixth sense and there are some basic rules to hold on to.
Let's look at them!
How to harness yourself?
Before you come to Morocco:
- make a list of the most important items you want to take home.
Remember to take this list with you where ever you go. You might make a Morocco tour and end up somewhere in a little village. Make sure you have that list to hold on to. It's not the Holy Bible but if you get easily distracted or tempted, it's a perfect way to show the guy in the shop that you're not into buying what he wants you to buy. Tell hem you have a list ;) and make a joke about it.
- search the internet for prices.
I know from experience that it's not only the price that makes up for a good deal. I can recognise a cheap carpet from an expensive one when I get a fairly good picture, but this is something you learn over the years. Then what can you learn from looking at Google? You can see a price range!
- make sure you check currency conversion rates.
People here switch easily from Euro to Dollar to Dirhams. After haggling and some tea, one zero more or less on your credit card can be a shocking result if you don't pay attention.
While in the souks:
- make sure you get some kind of receipt when you buy expensive things.
In case there might be a dispute about something you need to have proof of where you bought it! If you pay by credit card, ask for the receipt!
- don't go sourcing or shopping for expensive items when you're tired or hungry.
After a day in a car, in the sun or simply out and about, your resistance is low! and you might be an easy target to call it a 'good day' for certain shop owners. Do your shopping either in the morning just after the opening of the souks, or after lunch when you are relaxed.
- don't make it a MUST to get everything on your list.
Much more than finding everything it's about having fun and learning the skill. Learning the skill of not feeling stressed. Learning the skill of saying no! Learning to say 'that's it for today' and find yourself a nice spot for observing the 'how to'
Don't be overwhelmed.
I know you WILL be, but I tell you anyway.
The reason we're responding like we do is that we're culturally wired like this. We are not used to seeing shop owners takes down piles with rugs to show us the one at the bottom. We feel guilty because we think about how they will have to fold them one by one again. I've seen shop owners making use of this emotional state of people but that is just a minority.
If you have a feeling that this is not fun, this is not the way you want to buy something, then stop and leave. Be friendly, even if the shop assistant is not. Go and wait till you find that piece that you like and can haggle where it is fun!
Marlène Pauly is a personal shopper for private and wholesale in Marrakech. Here, in the red city, she founded COCO-Morocco, a Sourcing Agency on Moroccan Handmade. Her 10+ years sourcing the souks as an architect and designer, for her projects in Europe gave her a solid knowledge of quality and price. After moving to Morocco (7 years ago) because she fell in love with the country, she became passionate about the culture of negotiating and getting good deals. You can hire her for private sourcing projects and tours. She also orgenises twice yearly Marrakech Trend Week. A week for wholesalers and people in the retail business.
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