A Bazaar Experience
Marilyn April 20th, 2006
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Whirling Dervish Dancers in Istanbul
For years friends have extolled the virtues of holidaying in Turkey. Cheap, exotic, and the Turks just love Aussies. Finally an opportunity presented itself recently and Francis and I spent 6 days in Istanbul. But had we left it too late? Well, yes … and no. You can easily spend a week in this fascinating oriental city. The shopping of course is legendary and even if you are not besotted with history as I am, you cannot help but be impressed by the Ottoman Empire and the astonishing legacy left by the Greeks, Romans, Crusaders and Arabs.
But truthfully most visitors’ first priority is to visit the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market and the countless shops offering jewellery, carpets, caviar and leather goods — often excellent knock-offs of classy Italian designers. The Grand Bazaar is reputed to be the world’s largest market with around 4,000 shops. In this roofed labyrinth of passages you can easily become lost. Bargaining is the go here, but what is the formula? I asked our consierge at the hotel and several guides. All gave me different answers. Aussies are generally far from comfortable with bargaining so I was determined to find out the truth. Finally, I latched onto the following, which I think will serve you well, anywhere in the world:
Simply confide in them that, as an Australian, you are not familiar with the custom of bargaining. So … as your bus departs in 5 minutes, could they please give you their rock bottom price. Then turn to leave. Deduct a further 10% and offer to pay in euros or American dollars. Simple and takes all the angst out of the process. However, beware of the human spammers who roam the historic quarters of Istanbul, and whose offer of friendship (and lots and lots of tea) is a thinly concealed ruse to flog you an overpriced rug.
So did we leave it too late to visit Istanbul? Has it lost its charm and cheapness? The answer will be different for each person, but certainly with Turkey on the short list to enter the European Union, prices have taken a sudden lurch upwards. Istanbul is a city of about 12 million, some very poor so as a tourist be on the alert and expect to be “taken” one way or another. It is still one of the most enjoyable and accessible cities in the world, so don’t leave it too long to visit. The rest of Turkey is equally enthralling but to get the best out of your trip do some reading before you leave.
Marilyn & Francis Domenech, August 2005
Hello Marilyn,
What a very useful and delightful tactic for bargaining in bazaars. You are right of course, most of us Aussies are not familiar with the art of bargaining. I will definately keep this method in mind when I next find myself overseas and having to haggle.
Janine M