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Bargaining in Morocco
How to Bargain
After two weeks in Morocco, I have finally learned how to bargain and have fun doing it.
1) See something you are interested and know how much you want to pay for it. This is not necessarily what it is worth because the shopkeepers are very convincing in telling you how precious this item is. The price you choose should be what it is worth for you to take it home and be happy with what you paid for it.
2) Ask how much and notice how they pause and size you up before giving you a ridiculously high price.
3) Laugh at the price. You cannot care too much about purchasing the object because you must prove to them that you will gladly walk out of the store rather than pay that price. When you laugh, do not do it meanly. Remember that bargaining is a game.
4) Give a ridiculously low price. They WILL freak out, but don't be afraid that you have hurt their feelings. No matter how insulted they act at the low price you give them, they are still playing. The more you enjoy playing around with them, the more they will enjoy it and the better they will treat you.
5) They will lower their price slowly. Raise your price even slower.
6) The bargaining will quicken when your prices become closer. Make sure you don't get caught up in the process and go higher than you had planned. If you agree on a price, you must buy the object.
7) Either you will agree on a price and both of you will happily shake hands or you won't and you will walk away to try another shop. They all carry the same things in every town so don't feel like you only have one chance.
Example of bargaining in Marrakech
Billy and I were walking through the shops, not planning on buying anything, so we were completely relaxed.
I saw a jewelry store that caught my eye and the shopkeeper invited me inside. He sat me down on a stool and set a basket full of silver rings in front of me. I began rifling through it trying on rings that I liked. The shopkeeper was also finding rings for me to try on. After a long time of digging, I finally found a ring that I liked. I showed the ring to Billy and then asked the shopkeeper, "How much?" (Because I had not planned on buying a silver ring, I only wanted to see if it was cheap).
He thought about it, obviously sizing us up, and said,"220 Durham." Billy and I both laughed at this incredibly high price. I set the ring on the counter and prepared to leave. The man looked obviously worried.
"How much will you offer?" he said.
"30 Durham," I said.
The man became agitated and showed me the stamp, which proved that it was real silver (and obviously not handmade in Morocco) and then proceeded to tell me it was hand carved by the Berbers. I laughed again at his ridiculous claim, all along having fun with him. He asked again for me final price. I told him that I had seen similar rings for 30 dr in Azrou (which wasn't totally true) and I knew that this ring should be about the same price. Two other men had drifted over by now to help convince me that this ring was of the highest quality. One man even tried to tell me that the obviously copper designs on the ring were really gold. I argued with him amusedly about whether it was copper or gold. By this time, we were outside the shop. The shopkeeper came over, took my hand, and led me back into the store to "talk business." He asked me for a serious offer. I though about it and said that I would give him 40 dr. He shook his head and asked fro a "serious offer." I asked him for another price and he said 180dr. I laughed and walked out of the store. He again led me back in and we bargained more and I walked out again and he led me in again, back and forth for a while. The bargaining sped up when he said 100dr. I then said 50 dr and told him many times that that was my "serious" final offer. He finally said 80. I said 60. He said 65. I again said 60, took out 60 dr, put it in his hand and put the ring on. Once the sale was made, everyone was relaxed, shaking hands, and saying goodbye like old friends.
The most important thing is to relax and never feel guilty while you are shopping. That is there best weapon. They are never really upset. Don't be fooled; just have fun!
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