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Bargaining for beginners
How to come out ahead in the souq. By Amina Sadler

Although I had shopped in the souq several times, my sister-in-law never let me do the haggling myself. "As soon as you speak English, the price will shoot up," she would say.

On one venture, I lagged behind to look at a handbag. I looked it over to make sure nothing was wrong with it, estimated its price in my head, took a big swallow and asked, "How much?" The shopkeeper gave a price slightly above what I had guessed. It was reasonable, but I wondered how low I could get the price. I shook my head and "tsk”ed as I had seen my sister-in-law do. I gave him a price just less than half of what he had asked. He gave a half smile and shook his head. "Last price: how much?" He gave me a price just under his first price. I shook my head again, returned the bag to its place and started to walk away. I really wanted it, but I knew I could come back if I didn't find the same item for less elsewhere. "OK," he said, and said he'd sell it to me for half his first price. I asked him to knock off a little more and he did. He put the handbag in a sack.

I caught up with my sister-in-law, who had obviously been looking for me. As soon as she saw the sack in my hand she raised her eyebrows. I showed her the handbag, which she deemed jameelah – pretty. I told her how much I had paid for it. She said, "Really?" She looked it over and said the price was very good. She teased me and said maybe I should do her haggling for her. I had earned the badge of the souq.

The 'no set price' markets are colourful, fun and interesting, yet can be intimidating. They are places where bargains can be had – and where many shoppers and their money are taken for a ride. Learning how to get the lowest price possible is a trial-and-error process, but a beginner can follow these tips to put a foot in the door:

1. Shop around first. When you see an item you like, haggle a bit and then see if you can get a better price elsewhere. You can always go back to the seller with the lowest price.
   
2. The best deals are not at the door. The shops near souq entrances get the most traffic, much of it gullible tourists and people in a hurry. Sellers are not worried about being able to sell their items. The bowels of markets get fewer patrons. This is often where the best deals, and most interesting items, can be found.
   
3. Know your prices. You should not pay the same price in the souq that you would in a 'set price' store. Have a price in your head that you think the item is worth, then try to pay less than that.
   
4. Know your quality, especially for expensive items. Imagine you pay a wad for what a hawker tells you is a genuine Pashmina shawl, 'guaranteed,' only to find later you paid for an imitation. Do some research so you can tell the difference.
   
5. Go with an expert. If you are new to the area or just visiting for a short time, go with someone who knows the ropes. Watch them in action or let them do the haggling for you.
   
6. Appearances count. If you dress like a tourist, you may pay 'tourist tax' in higher prices. Try to dress so you blend in a bit without offending local sentiments. Shorts and a knapsack scream 'tourist' whereas a dress, even an abaaya over a dress or long slacks and casual shirt can tone down foreignness. If you appear timid and unsure, expect to pay more. Look and sound sure of yourself, speak firmly without a questioning tone. Sometimes you can tell a seller you are not in the mood to haggle, that if he doesn't give you a good price you'll look elsewhere. This can lead to excellent deals. Don't worry about appearing stupid by asking for too low a price – many sellers make an enormous profit above cost.
   
7. Learn a few local words. This, plus a smile, can work wonders.
   
8. Even if you love the item, don't show or say it. This makes the seller know you might pay more than it's worth. Act nonchalant, gaze around and ask prices of other items. Laugh and walk away – chances are you'll be called back with a much lower price.
   
9. The more you buy, the bigger the discount should be. If you want to buy many of the same item or several things from a single shop, ask the seller to give you a bigger discount per item or to give a final cut on the total.
   
10. Don't give up. Insist on the price you would like to pay. If the seller gives his last price and you want to pay less, hand over the money and insist he bag your purchase. If he refuses, insist a few more times then slowly add a bit more. Ask him to sweeten the deal. In the end, through compromise, you’ll probably win.
    
11. Give them every reason to cut the cost. Is it the last item of its kind? Is there only one colour or size available? Is it the display item? Does it have a defect that is acceptable to you but possibly not to others (like an extra buttonhole)? Point out any of these drawbacks to the seller and ask for a lower price.
    
12. You pick the item you take home. How nice for the seller to give you a fresh box of perfume off the shelf. You get home and realise you've been tricked – the tester was much better than what you bought. Examine carefully before you hand over the cash.
    
13. Become a regular. Go to the same shop more than once and remind them you have bought from them before, that you came specifically to their store. You should get a bigger discount than the first time, even on items you did not buy previously.
    
14. If you love it, buy it. In the end, we sometimes see an item we would regret passing by even though it's more than we'd really like to pay. If it's exquisite, perfect, unique and you must have it, splurge a little and try not to imagine the seller laughing behind you as you walk away.
    
15. Have fun! Friendships can be formed in the souq, special moments experienced. It can be frustrating or fun, depending on how you view it. Look at it as a game, as the sellers do. You win some, you lose some, but be sure to have fun playing!